Getting help sooner: New book helps doctors diagnose and treat children with learning problems

OTTAWA— One in 10 Canadian children have a learning disability. For these kids, getting help early can mean the difference between success and failure.

Often, a primary health care provider is the first point of contact for parents looking for help with problems their child is having at school.

To help physicians, the Canadian Paediatric Society has released Children with School Problems: A Physician’s Manual which takes a “how-to” approach to identifying, diagnosing and managing kids who are having difficulty in the classroom.

“I work in a tertiary care centre, and we’ve learned that we cannot possibly deal with all of the children experiencing difficulties,” said Dr. Bill Mahoney, co-editor and clinical associate professor of paediatrics at McMaster University. “It’s really important that other physicians in the community have the tools and information to assess children with school difficulties.”

Dr. Mahoney said the book provides up-to-date information, practical tools and resources for primary care and consultant physicians to assess, diagnose and develop treatment plans for their patients, instead of referring them to sub-specialists, which typically means a lengthy wait and delayed diagnosis.

“Our book has a lot of resources that are very specific to the Canadian user, particularly information on resources in the provinces,” said Dr. Debbi Andrews, co-editor and associate professor of paediatrics at the University of Alberta. “You get the information all together in one place instead of having to search all those little details out on the Internet.”

The result is a more comprehensive resource that walks physicians through the process of addressing school problems and makes it possible for patients and their families to get help sooner.

“Families will know what are appropriate treatments and interventions and what are the right resources,” said Dr. Mahoney. “It helps the child’s problems be dealt with earlier, and ultimately, that leads to children reaching their potential.”

Children with School Problems was first published in 1998. Major changes to the second edition, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., include updated and expanded content about intellectual disability, developmental coordination disorder and oppositional defiant disorder.

About the Authors:

The Canadian Paediatric Society is a national professional association that promotes the health needs of children and youth. Founded in 1922, the CPS represents more than 3,000 paediatricians, paediatric subspecialists and other child health professionals across Canada.

Dr. Debra Andrews is associate professor of paediatrics and divisional director for developmental paediatrics at the University of Alberta. She is medical director of two tertiary interdisciplinary programs at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital that provide assessment and intervention for school-aged children with complex learning and behavioural problems.

Dr. William Mahoney is a clinical associate professor of paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, and has worked with children with school problems for over thirty years. He is the former medical director of the developmental paediatric, rehabilitation, and autism programs of McMaster Children’s Hospital.

About Wiley:

Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations.  Since 1901, Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 350 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry and Peace.