Treatment options

If your child has a learning disorder, your child's doctor or school might recommend:

• Extra help. A reading specialist, math tutor or other trained professional can teach your child techniques to improve his or her academic, organizational and study skills.
• Individualized education program (IEP). Public schools in the United States are mandated to provide an individual education program for students who meet certain criteria for a learning disorder. The IEP sets learning goals and determines strategies and services to support the child's learning in school.
• Accommodations. Classroom accommodations might include more time to complete assignments or tests, being seated near the teacher to promote attention, use of computer applications that support writing, including fewer math problems in assignments, or providing audiobooks to supplement reading.
• Therapy. Some children benefit from therapy. Occupational therapy might improve the motor skills of a child who has writing problems. A speech-language therapist can help address language skills.
• Medication. Your child's doctor might recommend medication to manage depression or severe anxiety. Medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder may improve a child's ability to concentrate in school.
• Complementary and alternative medicine. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of alternative treatments, such as dietary changes, use of vitamins, eye exercises, neurofeedback and use of technological devices.

Your child's treatment plan will likely evolve over time. If your child isn't making progress, you can seek additional services or request revisions to an IEP or accommodations.

In the meantime, help your child understand in simple terms the need for any additional services and how they may help. Also, focus on your child's strengths. Encourage your child to pursue interests that give him or her confidence.

Together, these interventions can improve your child's skills, help him or her develop coping strategies, and use his or her strengths to improve learning in and outside of school.