PAGE 8C, FEBRUARY 7-8. 2007 NORTH FLORIDA FOCUS We Take Your L I j Health to Heart Learning disabilities can go undiagnosed if parents don't pay close attention As any parent of a school-aged child knows, kids can be cruel. Such cruelty is only further magnified when children have a learning disability, one that noticeably comes to light in the classroom. While this can make kids feel as if they're not as smart as the rest of the class, that's typically not the case. Children with learning disabilities can be of average or above-average intelligence. That's evidenced by the nearly 3 million school-aged children with learning disabilities in the United States alone. Such figures, reported by the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), indicate that children have a strong possibility of being diagnosed with a learning disability. For parents, recognizing the different types and symptoms can be a great way to help kids avoid having to struggle needlessly. Dyslexia Most people have heard of dyslexia and are probably aware it's a disability where the brain has trouble processing information correctly. Children with undiagnosed dyslexia can be at a major disadvantage, as classroom activity usually revolves around reading and writing. These are areas where dyslexia typically causes its biggest problems. While dyslexia is not a reflection of a child's intelligence, poor grades can result if the problem is undiagnosed. Part of what makes dyslexia so difficult to diagnose is that children often don't exhibit signs of the disorder early on. Early reading and writing, for instance, typically poses no problem. However, as studies shift toward grammar, reading comprehension and more in-depth writing, children with dyslexia begin to struggle. Another symptom to look out for is trouble speaking and understanding others. Difficulty with vocabulary as well as structuring thoughts are symptoms, as is difficulty comprehending what others are saying. Perhaps the most damaging aspect of any of these symptoms is the effect on a child's self-image. As mentioned, dyslexia is not a reflection of intelligence, but children, especially those whose problem goes undiagnosed, can falsely assume that it is. 'Dyscalculia One of the toughest subjects in school for most kids to grasp is mathematics. Sometimes that difficulty can be the result-of dyscalculia, a learning disability involving math. While each disability with math is different, there are certain early indicators parents should be on the lookout for. According to NCLD, among the earliest indicators are trouble understanding the meaning of numbers; difficulty sorting objects by shape, size or color; trouble recognizing groups or patterns; and trouble comparing and contrasting by using concepts such as bigger/smaller or taller/shorter. For school-aged children, problems might be less subtle. For example, children with dyscalculia might struggle memorizing times tables. Math problems couldalso prove exceedingly difficult, as children might not be capable of applying their knowledge and skills. A problem with organizing ideas with respect to math could indicate dyscalculia as well. This is known as a visual-spatial problem, wherein the child will understand the needed facts to solve a problem but will struggle putting those facts and solutions down on paper. If any of these problems go untreated or undiagnosed, older children, such as those in high school, will exhibit difficulty moving on to higher level math courses. Dysgraphia Like dyscalculia, dysgraphia, which concerns problems. \\ iti writing, has the potential to be written off by parents and educators alike. That's because it's common for parents to feel ihat their children will struggle with math or writing as they did when they were kids. However, To place an ad on this page, please call Myrtle at 386-362-1734 Ext. 103 re =I. a t. i I :1 -= J :- l l [ COPELAND MEDICAL CENTER ADVENT CHRISTIAN VILLAGE AT DOWLING PARK CT"1iW*r *1 Clinic: Family Practice, Urgent Care, Geriatric Consultations, Women's Health, School Physicals ,, Rehab: Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy Pharmacy 10820 Marvin Jones Blvd., Dowling Park, FL 386-658-5300 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Nasseer NMasoodi. NI.D. Rich Corley, PA-C Accepting Medicare and Most Insurance, Sliding Scale Also Available 325923-F North Florida Pharmacy R Medical Equipment o Oxygen "Everything For Your Home Recovery" Locally Owned & Operated 101 SW U.S. Hwy. 27, Branford, FL 32008 (386) 935-6905 229 W. Main St., Mayo, FL 32066 (386) 294-3777 324537 F Ophthalmology GREGORY D. SNODGRASS, M.D. Located In SHANDS At Live Oak 1100 SW llth St. Live Oak (904) 373-4300 or 1-800-435-3937 Physical Thurapy Heardand! REHABILITATION SERVICES Sandy Laxton, PTA Kalie Hingson, PTA Lisa Garrett, PTA AQUATIC THERAPY Workers Compensation, Industrial Rehabilitation, Ergonomic Consultation, Job/Workers Site Analysis Orthopedic/Sports Medicine, Pediatrics Providers Medicare, Medicaid, AvMed & BCBS Providers 405 11th St., Live Oak, FL 32060 (386) 364-5051 O EYE CENTERof North Florida d General Eye Care & Surgery EYE EXAMS CATARACT SURGERY GLAUCOMA* MACULAR DEGENERATION DIABETES LASERS Eduardo M. Bedoya, MD Board Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology Eye Physician & Surgeon Medicare, Medicaid, Avmed, Blue Cross,/Blue Shield & other insurance accepted Se habla espafiol. 917W. Duval St. Lake City 6 866-755-0040 . Learning disabilities can go undiagnosed if parents don't pay close attention. dysgraphia should be taken seriously, just like any other learning disability. Symptoms of dysgraphia include poor handwriting, difficulty with spelling, and trouble putting thoughts on paper. While not everyone's handwriting will be perfect nor will every child qualify for the National Spelling Bee, it's important not to brush aside these symptoms. Avoiding writing, having a tight and amwk ard grip on a pencil %hlile writing, and tiring quickly while writing are indicative of the larger problem of dN sgraphia Like dyslexia, dysgraphia is a processing disorder. As such, different degrees of the disability exist, so not all children will have all of the aforementioned symptoms. Treatment is often tailored to each individual's problems, ~vliethei finding a more suitable rntiming utensil or even having students proofiread thetn own- work afteradelavBy delaying such roofing.,; ;;.";;',; children are better equipped to recogiiize'.Ciei oA.5tT,* ...-,.: ,. -. To learn more about these and other learning disabilities as well as possible treatment options, visit the NCLD Web site at www.ncld.org., Assisted Living oI/ L CO12 /201 Eli, 4 z~ to (a l2.Aidqe. (L/OLI 12' LTELid Ott Caf2Z.. Qui aa, Jaaytt Counj, aountj 2itinq. 1'rPIatE wopmio iff zaisi, 224 wLu ezaTz. Visit us on the web at www.oakridgealf.com Email: oakridgealf@alltel.net Mayo, FL -County Rd. 251-A (386) 294-5050 License # AL9863 (386) 294-5050 Physical Th.Ia'..y -4- c:7VC ^jc aftfiiou't f Lna. * Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy * Specializing In Arthritis* Fibromyalgia* Geriatrics Spinal & . Joint Pain Sports Injuries* Work Injuries Pediatrics Manual Therapy Lymphedema Locally Owned & Operated Live Oak 208-1414 Medicare, Protegrity Lake City 755-8680 Blue Cross, Av Med Jasper ,r 792-2426 Medicaid-pediatrics Branford 935-1449 Workers Comp Mayo 294-1407 Most Other Insurance Plans A Medicare Certified Rehabilitation Agency Email: info@healthcorerehab.com Website: www.isgroup.net/healthcore Urology, Urologic Surgery & Impotence Center ROBERT G. BUSCH, D.O. ERIC ORDINARIO, D.O. Board Certified Urology and Urological Surgery Common Problems Treated: Infections Prostate Problems Kidney Stones Sexual Problems Genital Surgery Cancer of the Urinary Tract * Impotence Infertility Urinary Incontinence Common Surgical Procedures In Office: Cystoscopy No Scapel Vasectomy Treatment of Condyloma Prostate Ultrasound/Biopsy Bladder Ultrasound Penil Vascular Studies Common Surgical Problems In Hospital or Ambulatory Surgical Center: Prostate, Kidney and Bladder Cancer Surgery Kidney Stone and Surgery Lithotripsy Microscopic Vasectomy Reversal Impotence Surgery Hernia Surgery Specializing in the evaluation and treatment of Male Impotence Surgical and Medical Therapies All patients are given personal and confidential attention. 24523.PF 532-F Julie L. Owens, O.D. Kimberly M. Broome, O.D. North Florida EyeCare Examination and Treatment of the Eye Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses PHONE (386) 362-5055 FAX (386) 208-8660 625 Helvenston Live Oak, Florida 32066 324533-F lmutnimaiil Giniitdi Medicine Dr. Renaldas A. Smidtas, MD American Board of Internal Medicine Certified, Fellow of the American Board of Balance Medicine. Kathy Newman, ARNP, Pollyanna Bass, ARNP * Comprehensive patients care Injection Therapy of Arthritis of Knees, Shoulders and Back Low back pain treatment with Accu-Spina technology Computerized dizziness and balance evaluation and treatment Allergy evaluation and treatment Ultrasound diagnostics, bone density evaluation Cosmetic BOTOX, dermabrasion Live Oak Jasper 362-5840 792-0753 1437 N. Ohio Ave. 413 NW 5th Ave. Visa, MasterCard Accepted 324527-F Cancer Care of North Florida Now seeing patients at Shands at Live Oak We are a f- Welcoming New Patients at Anemiang in: total care our two offices at: *Thrombocytopenia Bleeding or clotting disorders medical Shands @ Live Oak or Lake City. Breast cancer oncology & Please call (386) 755-165 .OvarianCa ner hematology seean, for an appointment or information Multiple Myeloma practice All Chemotherapy administration and M.D. management Lukmia practice. All Chemotherapy administration and management "Lymphoma .=l. = trr~ntnn M~orticar, 0 Mros1 !n~uranrP Family Dentistry HERBERT C. MANTOOTH, D.D.S, P.A. 602 Railroad A\e., Lie Oak, FL (386) 362-6556 1-800-829-6506 (Out of Suwannee County) 324 Ronald R. Foreman. O.D., P.A. Frank A. Broom. Ill. 0.11 3254- I-Aceiiq uar mb mr _____ JLak..." I nq