Parent Support
Being a member of LDA can be an enormous support to the parents
of a child with a learning disability. When parents initially discover
that their child has a learning disability, they may have feelings
of guilt, worry, uncertainty, self-pity and anger. There may be
a lack of knowledge as to what the problem really is. Parents look
for help, they may receive conflicting advice and become more confused
and frustrated. Understandably, they may develop anger towards the
community, schools, professionals and themselves. Parents may even
deny the problem or blame each other. An effective LDA affiliate
can help parents understand and cope with their special child.
Information and Referral Network
An inquiry to the local affiliate, state office, or national LDA
office may be a critical first step in providing help to a person
with learning disabilities.
Through its Annual International
Conference as well as state
affiliate conferences and workshops LDA provides a forum for
questions on learning disabilities and new technology and approaches
for teaching individuals with learning disabilities. Attendance
at the conferences, workshops, symposiums and support groups reaches
tens of thousands participants yearly. Parents, teachers and other
professionals and individuals with learning disabilities are the
participants that gather for education, networking, and advocacy.
Its Bookstore
maintains an extensive offering of books and materials covering
every aspect of learning disabilities. These materials are ordered
by schools, libraries and thousands of individuals with learning
disabilities.
The LDA publication, Learning Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary
Journal, is a quarterly peer-reviewed publication oriented toward
professionals in the field of learning disabilities.
Legislation
LDA provides information and recommends action on pending legislation
which may affect individuals with learning disabilities and/or their
families. At the request of Congress, LDA representatives testify
on matters relating to special education, literacy and employment
programs. The organization holds and participates in numerous forums
on legal rights of individuals with learning disabilities.
School Program Development
LDA and its state and local affiliates work with school systems
to assure quality programs and better services for students with
learning disabilities. LDA offers scholarships annually to school
principals attending the International Conference. This service
has provided some 300 principals with an ongoing network of information
and support.
LDA and its state affiliates frequently work directly with school
systems in planning and implementing programs for early identification
and diagnosis, as well as remediation in resource and special education
classroom situations. Because of the relationship of learning disabilities
to school drop-out and delinquency, the organization works with
educators, correctional authorities and jurists in order to develop
comprehensive approaches to education.
Adult Issues
LDA publishes materials on issues of important to adults with learning
disabilities on adult literacy, parenting, and special populations.
A special series of bulletins address civil rights and accommodations
in various settings, including college, the workplace and the military.
LDA sponsors Leadership Development Academies fostering self-advocacy
among young adults, and its affiliates offer adult support groups.
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