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Gerstmann's Syndrome: One of the Least Talked about Learning Disabilities

Gesrtmann’s Syndrome is related to either a lesion or stoke on the side of the brain, know as the parietal lobe. This injury causes a series of symptoms such as writing disability, not understanding math or how to do calculations, not being able to tell right from left, and not being able to identify fingers. These individuals tend to also have a problem understanding speech and not clearly express themselves while talking. This can make it difficult for them to learn material and ask appropriate questions. They may also have problems with reading and writing.

Children with this disorder can even have problems copying even the simplest of drawings. The cause is not known in the case of children with this syndrome. It could have been a birth defect that happened while in utero or a stroke shortly after birth. Usually the disorder is not discovered till the child enters school. These children tend to display poor penmanship and spelling. Difficulty with even simple math is common.

In addition, this problem is not limited to children who are mentally or physically handicapped, the most intelligent of children can be affected with this. Because the children appear normal in every other way until they hit school age, many don’t know their child is affected. You might see some minor signs as the child’s language develops. They might not say certain words right or have trouble repeating some phrases. This could be misconstrued as just baby talk. Most parents start to see that something is wrong once the child has entered the school system. When their child is having trouble drawing and counting on their fingers. At first it might seem that the child is just slightly behind until math is introduced as well as the other difficulties. It has been suggested that children with this learning disability have their symptoms decrease over time. The truth is that children tend to adapt and adjust themselves better and really do not over come them. They actually work around them instead.

Gerstmann’s Syndrome has no known cure to date. Because the problem is in the brain itself, there is little one can do to actually repair what damage has been done. To help, there are treatments available to help work around the disability and teach alternative methods in thinking. Occupational therapy and speech therapy help the child with their impaired ability to learn to write called dysgraphia. It also helps the child over come the inability to make purposeful movements knows as apraxia. This is designed to help the child better express them selves verbally so other can understand them. This will help when asking questions about learning material they do not understand. The child will also learn to have better control over their body so legible penmanship can be accomplished. To help further cope with their symptoms, many children have benefited from using calculators and word processors. Computers are great tools to help with reading and math problems and are also easier to use if the child has uncontrolled movements that they cannot control yet.

With all that is out there today for help and technology, there is no reason why a child with Gerstmann’s Syndrome cannot be just as productive in the classroom as any other child. Once a neurologist diagnoses a child, they will be eligible to have classroom enhancements at no cost to the parents. Many school have occupational and speech therapists right at the school to work with the child. If they don’t they will have to provide one at no cost to the parents. This learning disability is not spoken of often because of how rare it is and many times misdiagnosed.

The more familiar and aware people become with this disability, the more children can be properly diagnosed and treated. This will enhance these children’s potential and give them a better educational foundation. Living with a learning disability is challenging enough. Having it go undiagnosed and not treated is torture. Children need the best possible start to learning so they don’t get discouraged. Will all the resources we have today no child should be left behind due to a disability, especially one that can be treated with positive results. With help, they will persevere.