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The Frostig Center's Helpline is a free service to the
community - assisting parents and professionals who need
information regarding learning disabilities, learning problems
and related medical, behavioral and mental health issues.
It is supported by grant funding and the Center's general
operating budget. The Helpline receives over 100 calls each
month; our staff respond to callers within 24 hours whenever
possible. The Helpline is accessed by individuals from the
greater Los Angeles area, nationally and internationally.
Helpline staff can provide the names, phone numbers, web sites
and E-mail addresses of national information-disseminating
organizations and support groups as well as specific local
resources.
Learning disabilities cause an individual to have difficulty
with reading, reasoning, writing, listening, speaking and
calculating. While individuals with learning disabilities
have average to above average intellectual abilities, they
cannot learn effectively by simply trying harder. Instead,
they must learn how to learn in ways that capitalize on their
strengths and often circumvent or bypass areas of weakness.
Learning disabilities are never cured, nor are they outgrown.
Currently, educational researchers estimate that 15% of all
students have learning disabilities. In Los Angeles County
alone, that percentage translates into slightly over 270,000
children. Some of these children are receiving help in school
but many still struggle every day. As our society becomes
increasingly complex, and the demand for greater levels of
academic skill is required for employment, individuals who
struggle with academic and communication skills will be bystanders,
unable to fully participate.
Parents are often at a loss as to how to best help their
child. It is painful to watch an otherwise bright child labor
over tasks that their peers master with relative ease. The
Helpline offers parents and professionals a caring, knowledgeable
person to listen to their concerns, accurately answer their
questions and offer resources and support.
The Center formally established the Helpline nine years ago.
Since that time, we have worked with approximately 15,000
families. A credentialed learning disabilities specialist
supervises the Helpline and other members of our professional
staff provide expertise in their particular fields such as
psychology or speech and language. We have a database of local,
regional, national and international resources. We also have
a list of informative Internet sites. Over ninety percent
of the individuals who contact us are referred to agencies
and service providers other than Frostig.
The Frostig Center is committed to helping and working with
individuals who have learning disabilities. Our work in this
field is accomplished through our three-part mission: conducting
research, training teachers, parents and community members,
and providing direct services to children and adults with
learning disabilities. This mission furthers Dr. Frostig's
original philosophy of creating "success for the lifetime"
of a child with learning disabilities. Founded by Dr. Marianne
Frostig in 1951, the Center continues to be recognized as
a pioneer in the field of learning disabilities.
There is no other service in the Southern California region
similar to the Helpline; it provides specific, focused, accurate
advice for parents and professionals who desperately need
answers.
For additional information or assistance, please contact
us by telephone or E-mail.
Kathy Holmes
Helpline Assistant
E-Mail Kathy Holmes
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