Background to the seminar
Many children struggle to learn at school. For some, learning is delayed, requiring only temporary assistance to catch up. For other children, however, this is not enough.
Children with learning disabilities do not catch up, despite good intelligence and appropriate support. Learning disabilities are common. They arise from differences in the brain, specific to processes necessary for learning. Different types of problems affect different learning pathways.
The seminar discussed the biological basis of learning disabilities (LD), the range and types of LD, and how they impact lifelong learning and mental health for the developing child.
The seminar also covered practical strategies to assessment of LD, management in the school setting, management of LD over time, and issues around building parent-school partnerships.
Speakers
Dr Michael McDowell, (Paediatrician)
Dr Heather Ward (Psychologist),
Dr Jason McGowan (Education Specialist)
Wendy Horton (Education Specialist).
