National Center for Learning Disabilities Launches "LD Navigator" for Pediatric Healthcare Professionals

NEW YORK, May 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) today announced the launch of the LD Navigator, a free comprehensive, online resource guide about learning difficulties and disabilities for pediatric healthcare professionals. As recent studies have found that up to 20 percent of children have a learning difficulty or disability, the demand on pediatricians and other pediatric healthcare professionals as the first source for professional screening, diagnosis and information has become an acute need.

Developed in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), the LD Navigator enables pediatric healthcare professionals and parents to navigate a child's learning difficulty or disability. By delivering expert, evidence-based tools and strategies into the hands of those on the front lines of diagnosis and family support, the LD Navigator brings ready resources to busy pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners. Support for the LD Navigator was provided by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation®.

"We created the LD Navigator to ensure that critically important information about LD reaches the pediatric healthcare professional community precisely when and where they need it," said James Wendorf, Executive Director, NCLD. "We are honored to partner with AAP and NAPNAP on the LD Navigator, which we believe will help transform how the pediatric healthcare professional community addresses the complex world of LD."

"Pediatricians have long expressed the need for ready resources to help parents identify, understand and secure services that support children with learning difficulties and disabilities," said Carol Weitzman, MD, FAAP, Executive Committee member of the AAP Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. "The LD Navigator offers us an easier way to engage parents in what can be difficult conversations about their children's learning challenges."

"Having an online hub that addresses parents' concerns regarding their child's learning differences in a free, unique and easily accessible way will be an asset," said Susan Van Cleve, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC, PMHS, President, NAPNAP. "The LD Navigator will enable pediatric nurse practitioners to get information about learning difficulties and disabilities so they can educate and advocate for children and families in their practice."

Learning difficulties and disabilities influence a child's ability to function in a variety of ways. Having these challenges professionally identified early allows children to receive the support and services they need in order to be more successful in school and in life.

"We believe that the LD Navigator will become an integral resource for the pediatric healthcare professional community and help facilitate dialogue with parents of children with LD," added Wendorf.

You can explore the LD Navigator by visiting www.ld.org/ldnavigator.

About the National Center for Learning Disabilities
The National Center for Learning Disabilities improves the lives of all people with learning difficulties and disabilities by empowering parents, enabling young adults, transforming schools, and creating policy and advocacy impact. For more information, visit ld.org.

About the American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit aap.org.

About the National Association for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) is committed to improving the health care of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. An association of over 7,500 health care providers throughout the United States, NAPNAP has 48 Chapters nationwide. For more information, visit napnap.org.

SOURCE National Center for Learning Disabilities