Learning disabilities are disorders that affect the ability to understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations, coordinate movements, or direct attention. Although learning disabilities occur in very young children, the disorders are usually not recognized until the child reaches school age. Research shows that 8 to 10 percent of American children under 18 years of age have some type of learning disability. The most common treatment for learning disabilities is special education. Specially trained educators may perform a diagnostic educational evaluation assessing the child's academic and intellectual potential and level of academic performance. Once the evaluation is complete, the basic approach is to teach learning skills by building on the child's abilities and strengths while correcting and compensating for disabilities and weaknesses. Other professionals such as speech and language therapists also may be involved. Some medications may be effective in helping the child learn by enhancing attention and concentration. Psychological therapies may also be used. Learning disabilities can be lifelong conditions. In some people, several overlapping learning disabilities may be apparent. Other people may have a single, isolated learning problem that has little impact on their lives. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other Institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) support research learning disabilities through grants to major research institutions across the country. Current research avenues focus on developing techniques to diagnose and treat learning disabilities and increase understanding of their biological basis. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&term=learning+disorders+AND+human[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+(review[ptyp]+OR+review+literature[mh]+OR+practice+guideline[ptyp]+OR+guideline[ptyp]+OR+clinical+trials[mh]+OR+clinical+trial[ptyp]+OR+consumerj[sb])&db=PubMed&orig_db=PubMed&filters=on&pmfilter_EDatLimit=5+Years http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/learningdisorders.html 2 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term= /disorders/learningdisabilities/pubs_learningdisabilities.htm /disorders/learningdisabilities/xml_learningdisabilities.xml xml_learningdisabilities.xml V2 CHADD - Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

8181 Professional Place

Suite 150 Landover MD 20785 ruth_hughes@chadd.org http://www.chadd.org 301-306-7070 800-233-4050 301-306-7090 Works to improve the lives of people affected by attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) through collaborative leadership, advocacy, research, education, and support and offers the National Resource Center on AD/HD at www.help4adhd.org. V120 International Dyslexia Association

40 York Road

4th Floor Baltimore MD 21204 info@interdys.org http://www.interdys.org 410-296-0232 800-ABCD123 410-321-5069 Promotes effective teaching approaches and related clinical educational intervention strategies for people with dyslexia; supports and encourages interdisciplinary study and research; and facilitates exploration of the causes and early identification of dyslexia. Committed to the responsible and wide dissemination of research-based knowledge. V117 Learning Disabilities Association of America

4156 Library Road

Suite 1 Pittsburgh PA 15234-1349 info@ldaamerica.org http://www.ldaamerica.org 412-341-1515 412-344-0224 Dedicated to identifying causes and promoting prevention of learning disabilities and to enhancing the quality of life for all individuals with learning disabilities and their families by encouraging effective identification and intervention, fostering research, and protecting their rights under the law. V119 National Center for Learning Disabilities

381 Park Avenue South

Suite 1401 New York NY 10016 ncld@ncld.org http://www.ld.org 212-545-7510 888-575-7373 212-545-9665 Provides information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster learning, and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities. V633 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

National Institutes of Health, DHHS

31 Center Drive, Rm. 2A32 MSC 2425 Bethesda MD 20892-2425 http://www.nichd.nih.gov 301-496-5133 301-496-7101 V658 National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

National Institutes of Health, DHHS

6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda MD 20892-9663 nimhinfo@nih.gov http://www.nimh.nih.gov 301-443-4513/866-415-8051 301-443-8431 (TTY) 301-443-4279