The organization that I chose to analyze more completely is the Learning Disabilities Association of America. This organization can be located at http://www.ldanatl.org/. After reviewing this website, I have determined that there were many sections that were extremely relevant to my current professional development. As a children’s book writer and a professional social story writer for children with disabilities I am always interested in learning more about disabilities and treatment or rehabilitation methods for children with disabilities. This is information that is contained within the “Professional” section of the organization’s website. Not only is there basic information about learning disabilities, but there are also articles included in this section to help to explain correlations between disabilities and other disorders and treatment strategies. Another section of this website, another section that has proven to be very relevant to my current professional development is the “Teacher” section. This section contains information that has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding about the challenges that children with disabilities and instructors face in an educational environment.
There were a few items on the websites that could be perceived as being controversial by some. However, this was not the case for me. I am always open to new research ideas and claims. These items that could be perceived as being controversial include current research attempting to find a correlation between pesticides and childhood disabilities (LDA, 2011). The impact of medications used during pregnancy on the brain of young children could also be perceived as being controversial by some (LDA, 2011). The research section also provided insight into the commitment of neuroscientists, government agencies, and politicians have to the field of early childhood. Many of the research studies that were being conducted by the organization were performed by leading neuroscientists in the industry and funded by government agencies and politicians. Examples of this include research studies on neurodevelopment testing of drugs on children and infants, behavioral and chemical toxins and their impact, brain imaging and learning disabilities, food substances and their effect, and more (LDA, 2011).
There were also some insights that were gained from further analyzing this website. One insight was that most learning disabilities occur as a result of AD/HD (LDA, 2011). A second insight is that many of the times, disabilities and learning disabilities can be prevented (LDA, 2011). A final insight is that today’s environment plays a significant role in the increased prevalence of learning disabilities in young children.
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Wow! your post was very informational. I really believe the statement about society playing a role in increasing learning disabilities in young people. It's just like I tell the teacher's aides in my room to stop enabling my students. Teachers also over prompt students also. We need to give students a chance to process information.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post! Audrey
Mary, I really enjoyed reading your post! I agree that it is society that increases disabilities in children. When I was teacher in the classroom I had a child that partially blind and to this day this child has graduated form high school and now attends college and I feel it was because I taught the child that they could do what ever they try to do no matter what others say. His mom said he carried that through school and would not allow anyone to enable him.
ReplyDeleteMary, I loved your post this week!! I know it may be a bit off topic but I am a firm believe in early literacy (I actually talk about it in one of this weeks discussions) and think it is wonderful that you write books!! I have to ask do you use your books personally or do you have them published? If you do publish them what has the process been like for you?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the information!