WEBSITES
Learning Disabilities Association of America (ldamerica.org). LDA provides people with learning disabilities, their parents, teachers, and other professionals with support and cutting edge information on learning disabilities, practical solutions, and a comprehensive network of resources. One very helpful resource within the website is a glossary of explanations for all types of learning disabilities. There are also lists of local organizations. One such group is located in Montgomery County and serves the greater Washington metropolitan area.
LD Online (ldonline.org). The mission of LD Online is to help children and adults reach their full potential by providing information and advice about learning disabilities and ADHD. The site features hundreds of helpful articles, a resource guide, a glossary covering many different terms, a referral directory of professionals and schools, among many others. There is an excellent description of research in the area of emotional aspects of learning disabilities, how one can exacerbate the other, and how to treat children who have both emotional and learning issues. Another section that most public school families will find helpful is a very good description of the Special Education process.
Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.org). This site has user-friendly, accurate, and helpful discussions on what learning disabilities are, what causes them, what the signs of a possible problem are, what skills may be affected other than the ones you might expect, and the various ways to help children who are affected. In addition to the better-known learning disabilities such as reading and math, the site addresses disorders of written expression and nonverbal learning disabilities (such as interpreting facial expressions and social cues, and attention, planning, and organizing).
National Center for Learning Disabilities (ncld.org) is a nonprofit organization that works through advocacy and research to “ensure that individuals with learning and attention issues have the supports, protections, and opportunities they need to succeed.” They welcome new members, donations, and involvement.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learningdisabilities). NICHD was founded in 1962 to investigate human development throughout the entire life process, with a focus on understanding disabilities and important events that occur during pregnancy. Since then, research conducted and funded by NICHD has helped save lives, improve well-being, and reduce societal costs associated with illness and disability. NICHD’s mission is to lead research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/all-disorders/). This site includes a Learning Disabilities Information Page and an Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder Information Page. In addition to helpful definitions of the conditions, they address available forms of treatment, prognosis, and any clinical trials that are ongoing. NINDS and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) support research on learning disabilities through grants to major research institutions across the country.
Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org) has an extensive and excellent section on learning disabilities.