One of our key priorities is advocacy. We strive to increase awareness and engage decision makers, key influencers, and the community, through advocacy efforts to promote understanding, support the rights of individuals with learning disabilities and their families, and create actions toward positive outcomes.
LDAA and many other organizations are supporters of the Learning Disabilities & ADHD Network‘s combined advocacy efforts to create change at the provincial level by educating policy makers on issues facing those with learning disabilities.
Your story is important! Join us in making an impact by sharing your story in working the Alberta system. Whether you are a parent, an adult, or a teacher that has faced challenges, we want to hear your story.
School Advocacy
Parent advocacy is crucial when it comes to a child with LD/ADHD in the classroom. It is important for them to be knowledgeable and assertive in support of their child.
Often the parents are working with the teacher and administration. Sometimes it means choosing an alternative program or learning option for their child.
Parents are a role model for their children – for once the students graduate into post-secondary, they will need to learn to advocate for themselves. At that point, parents step into a mentoring role, helping the student understand how to be clear, purposeful and assertive in order to have access to the accommodations s/he requires to be successful.
This is a list of some information that will help you to advocate for your child.
- Alberta Education’s position on learning disabilities
- Unlocking Potential: Key Components of Programming for Students with Learning Disabilities (provincial standards for supporting students)
- Alberta Education’s Handbook for Parents of Children with Special Needs
- Inclusive Education
- Universal Design for Learning
- Special Needs and Moving On Project
- The Accidental Advocate by Kathryn Burke
- Moore v. North Vancouver summary
- History and current state of special education funding in Alberta (p.4)
Other options for Alberta students:
Assessment
Psychologists use special measures (tests) to find out how people learn and whether they are working to their potential.
A psycho-educational assessment identifies an individual’s strengths and needs in:
The term learning disability means that people are intelligent, but ordinary school methods prevent them from fully showing their abilities. It is a recognized disability under the Canadian Code of Human Rights, as affirmed by the 2012 Supreme Court decision Moore v. North Vancouver. This means schools and employers must provide accommodations so the student can access the curriculum and the employee can perform their job.
Understanding more about assessments
Where can I seek a psycho-educational assessment?
If a child, adolescent or adult is struggling to learn, first talk to school personnel. If difficulties persist despite the help provided, an assessment can be requested. If an assessment cannot be completed in a timely manner, it can be completed by a psychologist in private practice.
The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta has a referral service here
Alternatively, you can Google “Your City Name psychoeducational assessment” to find psychologists who specialize in this kind of assessment.
| Additional resources in Calgary: | Additional resources in Edmonton: |
|---|---|
| The University of Calgary Education Clinic | The University of Alberta Education Clinic |
| CanLearn Society | CASA |
