Reaching out on a personal issue. Looking for some advice from anyone that works with or has kids with learning disabilities.

Can anyone offer any good layman books or resources for learning about and dealing with children with these issues?

My niece (8 yrs old) has had speech and learning issues for some time, but recent tests she's taken put her very low in development, which means things are getting worse.  The hope that it's just late development and not a permanent condition is fading.  I would like to learn more about this so as to be a better uncle and to be able to help my sister and brother in law however I can, as they have a lot on their plate.  Any helpful advice would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

I've got nothin'.

But I think BP and LM can get you going.

i am no expert, but i work with kids of all ages, and all with varying degrees of learning disabilities... i can't point you in any specific direction, but rest assured, there is a lot of options out there these days that are set up specifically for each type of learning obstacle, from simple eye/hand coordination task based games, to ipad interaction programs that help kids communicate.

as a side note..... there are a lot of kids out there that lack the skills necessary to communicate properly,and many of them act out in frustration.. they understand whats going on around them and learn just as much as a neurotypical kid does, they just have no way to show it. once
the child is given a voice, via  something like an ipod it's amazing the to see the difference in the kid.

Speech-Language Pathologist here.

If you haven't already done it, google learning disabilities nyc.  Tons out there.  I will ask my wife if she has anything tomorrow.

Thanks guys.  Been looking at books online and will probably stop by the NYC library and explore.

What I know is that she has some physical issues related to mouthing words (i forgot the word for the condition---sorry, new to this).  But there are other elements too, including dyslexia, maybe dyspraxia, too.  It doubt it helps that she lives in a tri-lingual environment.  She is has hyperactivity disorder, which can make focusing on her work very hard.  Anyway, these are the things that I'll be reading up on.

The good thing is that my sister and BIL have means to hire necessary specialists and enroll her in extracurricular classes, therapy, etc.  She is generally a very happy and affectionate kid, too.  I just know that kids get meaner as they get older, and as she falls further and further behind her peers, things can get hard and frustrating.

Anyway, I'll be back with more questions as they arise.  And please, share any resources and guidance that you may stumble on.

Quote from: IZ on March 14, 2014, 09:59:41 PM
Speech-Language Pathologist here.

IZ: good to know.  I may PM you from time to time with questions, if that's okay.

Consulting a  ST is important, not just for verbal comm-n, but useful for issues around eating/swallowing, food safety and choking risks in regards to control of all those muscles,  etc.
So IZ is a Speechy?  
I work in state disabilty services down here and can ask for some good book suggestions for someone in your situation (supportive uncle).
You're a good uncle.

PM sent.

Honestly, sitting and reading with them and talking about what you read can really help.  Just the mental processing of reading something and talking about it can give some growth. 

JM

Quote from: IZ on March 14, 2014, 09:59:41 PM
Speech-Language Pathologist here.

Wifey is the same, she's going to look at what she has for suggestions.

PM sent

has the little one always been that way?  far fetch but I know with all the crap that's in food and formula these days, many children basically get poisoned from the get go causing many learning disabilities.   just another thing to look into.