May We Introduce You To: LD Online & Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities®

by Lee Gehrls R&D Coordinator (Volunteer)

In the February issue of our newsletter, I introduced you to nationally recognized PACER Center, a Minnesota nonprofit, which provides services and support to children from birth through young adults who have disabilities and special health care needs as well as providing their families with information and support. According to ADDitude Magazine approximately 45% of students with ADHD will also have a learning disability (LD). In this issue I will introduce you to two additional resources you can add to your ADHD toolbox. 

LD Online – All about learning disabilities and ADHD

LD Online began in 1996 and is a national educational service of WETA-TV which is the PBS station in Washington, D.C. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and you can subscribe to their RSS feed.

WETA has four other educational sites that you may have heard of: ReadingRockets, Start with a Book, ColorinColorado, and AdLit.org and this link http://www.ldonline.org/about will allow you to learn more about these additional websites. LD Online is one of the founding partners of Understood – for learning & attention issues, which is a resource we recommend to parents and professionals and was featured in our September 2020 issue https://adaminc.org/introduce-adda-understood/. Here is a link to view the other organizations LD Online partners with http://www.ldonline.org/about/partners.

The information on the website is for children, adolescents, and adults with LD and ADHD. It provides information and resources for parents and educators and information is also available in Spanish. The website offers information and resources in every media form. There are monthly columns by recognized experts, the site is home to personal stories by kids and adults, there is artwork by children, in addition to videos and forums on LD and ADHD. They offer two newsletters as well as three newsletters from their other sites which can be found at http://www.ldonline.org/ldnewsletters.

Smart KIDS with Learning Disabilities®

Smart KIDS with Learning Disabilities® was founded by Jane B. Ross, M.S. and she also served as the Executive Director. Her background includes being a former publishing executive and consultant and a mom to a 10-year-old son who could not read. Not knowing where to turn or what to do, she became determined to help other parents who were faced with the same situations. 

The Home page is divided into three sections: First Steps, Getting Help, and Community where you will find articles and resources on LD and ADHD. The organization offers regional education programs and works to educate the community. They work to provide information and support to parents so they can advocate for their child. Their social media platform includes Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube and they have a blog filled with weekly information https://www.smartkidswithld.org/blog/. Smart KIDS with Learning Disabilities® offers a free e-newsletter https://www.smartkidswithld.org/sign-up/.

Children and adults who have ADHD and LD need accurate evaluations and diagnoses, a treatment and management program for ADHD and an IEP or 504 Plan for their LD. Children and their families need ongoing education and support.

Having knowledge and resources allows families to work effectively with the health care and mental health care professionals, and educators on their team so all are successful.

Disclaimer: A-D-A-M℠ provides information about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in the form of resources, including articles, books, videos, and websites, as well as links to directories to help you find health professionals, services and facilities that provide services for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This information and these directories are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by A-D-A-M℠; and to the best of A-D-A-M’s knowledge are true and accurate at the time of publication. A-D-A-M℠ makes no claim, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the contents found in this information and in these directories, and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions. Although great care is given to the composition and contents provided, A-D-A-M℠ cannot guarantee the correctness of the nature and contents of the information. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained through these resources does so at his or her own risk.