Intelligence and learning problems

by Sue Cook

We could be forgiven for thinking that those with learning problems are not as intelligent as others, but we know that to be untrue.
Neuro developmental issues are a sensory problem, a problem of interaction with the world, not a low IQ. Neuro developmental delay is separate from intelligence but it affects a person’s ability to prove their intelligence in the ways accepted by society. Children experiencing these problems under-perform at school and as a result can suffer from constant feelings of failure, lack of achievement and being judged as simple. For these children it is frustrating to know and understand things, yet find writing and reading very difficult. For some, just sitting in a classroom chair is impossible.

What does it mean to have Sensory problems?
This is when the brain's interface with the world is not functioning as it should. The brain only knows what is going on because the body tells it, whether it is too hot, too cold, too light (dazzling the eyes), too loud, and so on. So if the brain is not receiving the information from the senses, (the nerves) correctly, then the message the brain gets may be one of confusion.

These are some examples that you may see:

• If the pupils are not contracting enough then there is too much light hitting the retinas causing dazzle. Some children paint the page black to ease their eyes, but people think they do this because they are disturbed in some way. Not so.
• If the eyes can't 'track' (follow a moving object with the head still) then a small child at nursery will be upset amongst the noise and movement of the other children and may hang on to his mother, terrified. This symptom will also result in the child being unable to copy from the blackboard or catch a ball.
• If the vision and balance is not working together, then you may observe toe walking and hand flapping in a child. This can be corrected. It can also be induced in a person without this symptom by placing certain spectacles on them.
• If you want an example of how important balance is to vision, spin round and round until dizzy. Then stop. While the liquids in the ears are still moving, you will feel as though you are still moving and this is a good example of how balance plays such an important part of vision.
• Sometimes the skin is so sensitive that a child cannot bear to wear clothes or have their hair cut. These often correct themselves on the programme.

All these examples are demonstrations of the senses not working properly. So by correcting the nerves, we correct the senses.

 Sue Cook specialises on Neuro Developmental Delay.  

 

Read more on: www.brainbuzzz.co.uk

www.anythingspecialneeds.co.uk 

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