LDAO supports increased access to special education for students with ADHD

Toronto, ON, January 10, 2012
The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO) congratulates the Ministry of Education on the release of its December 19, 2011 Memorandum on Categories of Exceptionalities (http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/2011CategoryException.pdf). The implementation of this memorandum within school boards around Ontario should result in increased access to special education services for students with ADHD and other neurobiological disorders which affect learning.

In November 2010, LDAO issued a news release supporting the right of students with ADHD to equitable access to special education. At that time we pointed out that the LDAO definition of Learning Disabilities, 2001, includes the statement: “’Learning Disabilities’ refers to a variety of disorders that affect the acquisition, retention, understanding, organization or use of verbal and/or non-verbal information. These disorders result from impairments in one or more psychological processes related to learning, in combination with otherwise average abilities essential for thinking and reasoning”. Psychological processes are defined to include memory and attention as well as executive functions and therefore many students with ADHD could be identified under this definition.

The November 2010 news release also stated that students with ADHD who do not meet the criteria for learning disabilities may also struggle with academic skills and should have equitable access to special education programs and services. In its official policy on ADHD, LDAO “advocates for the provision of services to individuals with ADHD as part of the overall program of services provided by ministries, school boards and other agencies”. Therefore LDAO welcomes the steps taken by the Ministry of Education to move the education system in this direction.

About LDAO

The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO) is the organization representing more than 40% of students in Ontario with special education needs. LDAO, along with its 20 local chapters, works toward the full participation of children, youth and adults with learning disabilities in today’s society. LDAO is a charitable organization established in 1964, and its members include parents, individuals with learning disabilities and/or ADHD, educators and professionals.

For more information please contact:

Lawrence Barns, President & CEO
Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario
416-929-4311 Ex. 27
Lawrence@LDAO.ca
www.LDAO.ca