Having a learning disability is not limited to the impact on the individual's life. Rather, I see the effects radiating to lives around the person, from their family into society. The abilities and attitudes of its members affect the whole community.

What can be done to help the individual, and as a byproduct, the whole community?

What makes sense to me is sticking with a process that recognizes limitation and helps train the individual to cope and adjust and get around in another way. This benefits the person by extending abilities in other directions, and lessens the social impact of disability when the person matures and is expected to do their part in the adult social structure.

If those with one or more learning disabilities are not given help as children and teens, how can they be expected to give their full potential to the community as adults? Instead of being assets, they become a drain on community resources.

So, a solution to having the best possible work force in the community is to prepare the individuals while they are growing up. This shows us the importance of taking the time and resources necessary to prepare individuals for their future as productive adults in society.

The training or re-training stage first requires discovery and proper counseling so the best direction can be implemented for each individual case. If the child has more than one learning disability each aspect needs attention to determine the effect of one disability on another problem area.

After discovery and planning comes implementation. Perhaps the work will be carried out just at school, or maybe at home and school, such as through homework, structured routine, diet, sports, music, art and dance lessons.

In summary, the social impact of learning disabilities in its members has the best outcome for the individual and the community when steps are taken in childhood to find ways to do rather than be bound in by restrictions. The money the community spends in the few years of childhood is paid back many times over during the lifetime of the working adult.

And, the individual who feels capable and is capable has the best chance of being productive and in turn, helping the youngest members of society get the education and training to meet their potential; keeping society running as smoothly and productively as possible, and advancing forward each generation.

Article by Susan Kramer

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