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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
5 year old having learing and processing problems
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
5 year old having learing and processing problems
by JoAnna Smith, Jun 26, 2000 12:00AM
To whom it may concern please help my daughter was born small 4 pounds i was full term she was tested for all genitic problems i was even told that she might have downs syndrome but the tests came back saying that she was normal she has always been very small she has always been behind other children her age i asked her doctor if he thought there was a problem he said she might just be a little behind and would probally catch up by kindergarten, but she hasent her main problem that i have noticed is anwsering questions anything abstract like why did you do that? or why do you think that is? she also has speech problems, behavioral problems (making messes with food or anything that she knows is off limits), problems paying attention, her perschool teacher says that she is behind the other children her age and will not be ready for kindergarten in the fall. Please help me to find the right people to help my daughter i want her to be able to attend school in the fall but i dont want her labeled as a problem chid i need to know waht is going on with her, her doctor is clueless he suggested a genitic doctor what do you think?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Jun 26, 2000 12:00AM
, Jun 26, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Ms. Smith,
Children who were born prematurely and with very low weight at birth often display developmental problems and learning problems/disabilities. This is very common.
Now, it won't hurt to consult a geneticist, in order to clarify the possibility of any genetic disorder.
In addition, though, your daughter is going to require special educational help. So it would be wise to set the wheels in motion now for this, and to have her undergo whatever type of evaluation process is required by your state or by your local school district.
Relative to the particular matter of her not being able to answer your "Why..." questions, this is very typical for childre. They are not introspective by nature, and at her age the ability to answer such a question would be limited. Regardless of this, though, she certainly displays special needs and will require special educational assistance.
Children who were born prematurely and with very low weight at birth often display developmental problems and learning problems/disabilities. This is very common.
Now, it won't hurt to consult a geneticist, in order to clarify the possibility of any genetic disorder.
In addition, though, your daughter is going to require special educational help. So it would be wise to set the wheels in motion now for this, and to have her undergo whatever type of evaluation process is required by your state or by your local school district.
Relative to the particular matter of her not being able to answer your "Why..." questions, this is very typical for childre. They are not introspective by nature, and at her age the ability to answer such a question would be limited. Regardless of this, though, she certainly displays special needs and will require special educational assistance.
You don't have to worry about your child because your child will do well all she needs is the right programs to help her in school and she will do fine. I had a learning disability myself and I went through a program called P'tach, which helped me for 12 years. I was mainstreamed in most of my classes by senior year, and graduated from Brooklyn College in June. I'm now a teacher for 4 year old students who are in Special Ed. They have problems in processing information and answering the right answers. This program is located in Brooklyn. If you email me at Jenn Inda @aol.com I can give you some help. This school goes from 2-5 years old. Once they turn 5 they have to go to another school. please write back soon and email me
Love,
Jenn