| SolveYourProblem
eLearning Series: Learning Disabilities
The Bottom Line On Learning Disabilities
( 50 articles in this series )
What
Is Gerstmann’s Syndrome
(Learning Disability)?
Gesrtmann’s Syndrome is related to either
a lesion or stoke on the side of the brain, know as the parietal
lobe. This injury causes a series of symptoms such
as writing disability, not understanding math or how to do
calculations,
not being able to tell right from left, and not being able
to identify fingers. These individuals tend to also have a
problem understanding speech and not clearly express themselves
while talking. This can make it difficult for them to learn
material and ask appropriate questions. They may also have
problems with reading and writing. Children with this disorder
can even have problems copying even the simplest of drawings.
The cause is not known in the case of children with this syndrome.
It could have been a birth defect that happened while in utero
or a stroke shortly after birth. Usually the disorder is not
discovered till the child enters school. These children tend
to display poor penmanship and spelling. Difficulty with even
simple math is common.
In addition, this
problem is not limited to children who are mentally or
physically handicapped, the most intelligent of
children can be affected with this. Because the children appear
normal in every other way until they hit school age, many don’t
know their child is affected. You might see some minor signs
as the child’s language develops. They might not say certain
words right or have trouble repeating some phrases. This could
be misconstrued as just baby talk. Most parents start to see
that something is wrong once the child has entered the school
system. When their child is having trouble drawing and counting
on their fingers. At first it might seem that the child is
just slightly behind until math is introduced as well as the
other difficulties. It has been suggested that children with
this learning disability have their symptoms decrease over
time. The truth is that children tend to adapt and adjust themselves
better and really do not over come them. They actually work
around them instead.
Gerstmann’s
Syndrome has no known cure to date. Because the
problem is in the brain itself, there is little one can do
to actually repair what damage has been done. To help, there
are treatments available to help work around the disability
and teach alternative methods in thinking. Occupational therapy
and speech therapy help the child with their impaired ability
to learn to write called dysgraphia. It also helps the child
over come the inability to make purposeful movements knows
as apraxia. This is designed to help the child better express
them selves verbally so other can understand them. This will
help when asking questions about learning material they do
not understand. The child will also learn to have better control
over their body so legible penmanship can be accomplished.
To help further cope with their symptoms, many children have
benefited from using calculators and word processors. Computers
are great tools to help with reading and math problems and
are also easier to use if the child has uncontrolled movements
that they cannot control yet.
With all that is out there today for help and technology,
there is no reason why a child with Gerstmann’s Syndrome
cannot be just as productive in the classroom as any other
child. Once a neurologist diagnoses a child, they will be eligible
to have classroom enhancements at no cost to the parents. Many
school have occupational and speech therapists right at the
school to work with the child. If they don’t they will have
to provide one at no cost to the parents. This learning disability
is not spoken of often because of how rare it is and many times
misdiagnosed.
The more familiar and aware people become with this disability,
the more children can be properly diagnosed and treated. This
will enhance these children’s potential and give them a better
educational foundation. Living with a learning disability is
challenging enough. Having it go undiagnosed and not treated
is torture. Children need the best possible start to learning
so they don’t get discouraged. Will all the resources we have
today no child should be left behind due to a disability, especially
one that can be treated with positive results. With help, they
will persevere.
# # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
> Home > Learning
Disability
Articles : Main Page
|
