Wired Differently

WE ALL HAVE EYES, a nose and a mouth—and yet somehow, every human face is different. The same is true of our brains; as similar as they seem, each is unique, working just a little bit differently.

For those with learning differencs—often called specific learning disabilities or disorders—there’s a divergence in how the brain takes in, stores and processes information. This means that people with average or above average intelligence can struggle with learning. And these differences are more common than you might think, affecting 70 million Americans and up to one in five kids.

Most often, learning differences become apparent in the early school years, and many times, they are first picked up on by parent with a gut feeling.

That was the case for several moms I spoke to when putting together this issue, our first-ever magazine dedicated to thinking and learning differences. One mom noticed a big discrepancy between her daughter’s reading ability and reading comprehension. Another saw that her child was writing letters backwards and couldn’t remember colors. Trusting their instincts, they got diagnoses and help—two things that are crucial for kids with learning differences.

So what are the signs to look out for? What are the first steps to take if you suspect your child may have a learning disability? And if your child has already been diagnosed, how can you best support them? With expert input, actionable advice and local resources, this issue guides you through parenting a child whose brain is wired just a little differently.

Dig in.