As adults, we’re able to research the problem. We can set up boundaries and enforce them. We can recognize that we need help, and we understand that it’s okay to have that help given. But not everyone with a medical issue is an adult, and many young people these days are struggling to make it through both their personal and academical lives while dealing with learning disabilities.

What was once a bulk diagnosis has been broken down into more nuanced terms – from autism to dyslexia, each learning difficulty presents itself in a different way. That means it also needs to be addressed and handled in separate ways. Often, the place they need to be accommodated the most is at school.

You would think that this would be easy. Schools are built to support young people and give them a safe, healthy learning environment. Unfortunately, many schools face problems with their funding and their staffing. Before we can help the young people with learning difficulties, we need to teach and inform the adults around them. Check out your local school system. See if there’s somewhere or someway you can help fund a special education program, or help better inform the teacher’s who are responsible for your child’s education.

Try to continue informing yourself, too. Learning disabilities are complicated. Dyslexia, for example, is most commonly known for “mixing up letters”, but it can also affect short term memories, verbal language, and even the way that words are formed. Being aware of the fact that each difficulty is multi-faceted can make more tools available to better the life of young people across the country.

The world is a vast, difficult place. It’s not on our children or the children of our neighbour’s to make it better. It’s on the shoulders of the adults to learn, grow, and create a better, safer environment for all of the young people in our lives – no matter the mental or physical health problem that they might have.