Learning Disabilities Awareness Month
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Learning Disabilities Awareness Month is a time where people pay particular attention to children and adults with learning disabilities. During this month, LD OnLine asks each of you to teach one person something new about learning disabilities. You could, for example, introduce them to our newsletter or share an interesting article using the "Email" icon (located in the top right corner of every page).
Information on Learning Disabilities
Read A Primer on Learning Disabilities to find out what a learning disability is, what the different types of learning disabilities are, and what causes them.
Read these short articles to learn more about the specific types of learning disabilities:
- Dyslexia (reading problems)
- Dysgraphia (writing problems)
- Dyscalculia (math problems)
- Executive Function Difficulties (problems with organization)
- ADHD (trouble regulating attention)
Our glossary defines the vocabulary of special education.
Our timeline tells the history of learning disabilities.
Fun Activities
Send an e-card to a teacher. The school year has just begun and an e-card about how a teacher has helped your child should get the year off to a great start.
Read a children's book aloud to a child you know.
Visit our kids' art gallery. Encourage your child to draw or paint a picture and submit it here.
Visit Sparktop, a website where kids with learning disabilities (or who learn differently) can create things, play games, connect with other kids, and discover new ways to succeed in school …and life.
Inspirational Stories
Here are some success stories about overcoming disabilities to give hope and inspire solutions for similar problems you may be experiencing:
- My Son's Disability, and My Own Inability to See It
How the special education system helped her child
- A Physician's Story
How a doctor overcame a non-verbal learning disability to pass her medical boards
- Why I Love Audio Books
A person with dyslexia explains why he loves "reading" audio books
- The Handicap that Had No Name
How learning about the label of "learning disabilities" helped a college student understand herself
- The Journey Begins
How planning skills helped a man succeed in college, and on the job, despite his learning disabilities
More About Learning Disabilities
Our LD Topics section tells you how to help children learn math, writing and spelling, reading, and how to study. You also can find out about:
Here are some other helpful articles:
- Parents: Help your child succeed with tips from Life Success for Students with Learning Disabilities: A Parent's Guide.
- Teachers: Learn how to teach social skills to your difficult students in Teaching Social Skills to Kids Who Don't Yet Have Them.
History and Future of LD Awareness Month
October was originally designated in the United States as LD Month in 1985 through a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan. Learning Disabilities Association of Canada has celebrated an LD Month since 1987 and provides a toolkit to help you celebrate. For many years, learning disabilities organizations in the United States used the month to inform the public about learning disabilities through events and proclamations. LD Month is still commemorated in a few states. LD OnLine is considering a plan for public education in LD Month next year. Please contact us if you formally celebrated LD month this year, using "Positive side of LD" as your subject. We may feature your ideas next year.
October 2013
Sep 15 - Oct 15 |
Hispanic Heritage MonthHispanic Heritage Month, September 15 to October 15, is a great way to celebrate a family legacy and expose students to world traditions. |
All Month |
LD Awareness MonthIt's National Learning Disabilities Awareness month! First established by Ronald Reagan in 1985, LD Awareness month is a time when the general public becomes more informed about learning disabilities and neurodiversity. Do your part to increase awareness this month, and know that LD OnLine will continue to support you and the people in your life with LD or ADHD all year long. |
All Month |
National Bullying Prevention MonthPACER |
Oct 5 |
Teaching Self-Advocacy to Students with Learning DisabilitiesPam Hill, Ed.D., addresses self-advocacy for students with LD. Location: Chicago, IL. |
Oct 6 |
Navigate the Maze From Pre-K to College and CareerThe Learning Disabilities Association of New Jersey presents a day-long conference for parents, individuals With LD, and professionals. High school students attend for free! The keynote speaker, Peter W. Riffle, will address “Challenges Facing Parents and Teachers of Children with Disabilities." Location: Piscataway, New Jersey. |
Oct 13 - 19 |
Teen Read Week 2013Teen Read Week is an national literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. It's aimed at teens, their parents, librarians, educators, booksellers and other concerned adults. Teen Read Week's theme is "Read For The Fun Of It." Each year, YALSA offers a new sub-theme to serve as a basis for developing programs in schools, public libraries, and bookstores. |
Oct 22 |
Think Beyond the Label Career FairLooking for a job resource tailored to individuals with LD, ADHD, and other disabilities? Think Beyond the Label's online career fair serves to connect adults with disabilities and employers. Find numerous nationwide opportunities for job seekers of all skill levels! |
Oct 24 - 25 |
35th International Conference on Learning DisabilitiesThe Council for Learning Disabilities presents the 35th International Conference on Learning Disabilities at the University of Texas at Austin this month. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Sharon Vaughn. Location: Austin, Texas. |
Oct 25 |
17th Annual Great Beginnings ConferenceCriterion Child Enrichment, Inc. and the University of Massachusetts Amherst Department of Communication Disorders are proud to co-host the Great Beginnings Conference as a resource for the advancement of experienced early childhood and allied pediatric health professionals. Location: Worcester, MA. |
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