Act Early for Learning Disability

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 12-May-2008 edition

 

Act Early for Learning Disability

By Dr James Dobson

 

Some experiments have been done where the walleye pike

is placed in a big tank of water, followed by minnows which

the walleye very quickly consumes.

 

A large piece of glass is then slid down the centre of the tank,

with the walleye pike on one side and the minnows on the other.

The pike swims after the minnows and inevitably hits the glass.

It tries again but crashes into the divider again. Very quickly,

it will get discouraged and even quit trying to get the minnows.

 

At that point, the researchers slide the glass out of the tank

and let the minnows swim in and around the pike.

 

Believe it or not, a walleye pike will starve to death in a tank

filled with the kind of food that he loves best, simply because

he’s become discouraged.

 

So it is with children who fail in their early school experiences.

If their efforts only bring frustration, some of them just quit trying.

That’s why early educational intervention is absolutely critical

for the child with a learning disability. You have to reach him or her

before the paralysis of discouragement sets in.