Forum on Mysteries of Learning Difficulties

As published in "The Hutt News, Tuesday July 30, 2002"

A trio of UK doctors will be in Lower Hutt in 10 August for a conference aimed at unraveling the mysteries of children with learning difficulties.

Gavin Reid, Shionah Lannen and Colin Lannen are in New Zealand as guests of the Learning and Behaviour Charitable Trust, headed by Lower Hutt woman Moira Buchanan.

The trust advocates for families affected by learning difficulties, including dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADD/ADHD. Research indicates that learning difficulties can contribute to young people ending up in prison, addicted to drugs and alcohol or committing suicide.

"Children with learning disabilities do not need to become social and school dropouts," Ms. Buchanan said.

The mother of a dyslexic and ADHD son, Ms. Buchanan said she used to beat him, before she discovered that his unruly behaviour was caused neurological pathway crossovers. After an educational assessment at age 15, and a suicide attempt, her son was accommodated in his college and is now on the road to success.

"These kids don't even know why they misbehave, they can't remember due to short term memory, their phonetic awareness is low and they have a genetic difference that makes the left hemisphere of their brain different and smaller. But instead of getting help, they are often put in the too hard basket. From there it can be prison or suicide."

Ms. Buchanan said that with early identification and accommodation with the right resources, many would never reach a stage where their self-esteem is destroyed.

The Red Rose School in England has a programe that had proved successful using phonetic sounding tools and encouraging children to make 'hands on' projects and talk about them - rather than writing essays. They have found that children formerly considered unruly can learn.

The NZ conference will also look at evidence from Gavin Reid and Jane Kirk, who found that up to half of young prison inmates have learning difficulties.

"Dyslexic children can not process information as quickly as others and often resort to naughty behaviour out of frustration."

Ms. Buchanan wants all young offenders and school children in New Zealand to be screened for learning disabilities so that help can be administered as early as possible.

WHAT: Conference on children with learning differences.
WHEN: Saturday, 10 August, 9am-4.30pm.
WHERE: Angus Inn, Waterloo Road.
FEATURE: Dr. Gavin Reid (Scotland), Shionah and Colin Lannen (England) unravel the mysteries of children with learning differences. Cost $150, to register contact
Moira Buchanan, or entry/invoice can be handled at the door on the day.