How do I know if my Autistic Son has a Learning Difficulty?

In the Neural Organization Technique by Dr Carl Ferreri DC PhC he addresses all learning difficulties as a condition of Neural Disorganization, This disorganization can begin in utero or may be acquired as developmental reflex systems that form into our survival reflex systems of fight flight to include the gait mechanism, immune,digesitve and endocrine systems. Once these systems are neurologically reorganized then in the Advanced protocols of this chiropractic technique the cranial stability can be addressed corrected and maintained.What is being suggested in the advanced neural organizaiton technique is that the cranial fixations can create learning difficutlies ( to include all conditions of learning problems) under this rather generalized banner the adjustments that are tested are to do with the speech mechanism ,auditory processing, eye tracking problems in reading , strabissmus and peripheral vision, hand to eye coordination (writing and throwing a ball etc) and the ability to access and process information.(follow instructions and to learn with ease)  I have been treating learning difficulties, dyslexia, autism, cerebral palsy, downs syndrome  adhd and add, oppositional defiance disorder and many more obsure conditions with this technque for over 25 years. We have an ex dyslexic son of 15 ourselves. He is living proof that this way of treating dyslexia and learning difficulities and the improvements seen and in some cases completely eliminated with this technque It is a safe non invasive technique that can be given at any age but is best implemented pre puberty and before remedial classes commence as the underlying problem lies in neural disorganizaiton and the inability for the child to organize his thought processes. Once he or she is neurologically organized then any other remedial work can have a far greater effect as the neural pathways are open for the child to learn. The technique is primarily based in Applied Kinesiology developed by Dr George Goodheart DC 1964 as the method of testing the nervous system and is safe and is a non invasive the treatment. Dr Carl Ferreri DC (New York)  then expanded on the technque in the late 70's to develop Neural Organization Technique known now as N.O.T and his motto was NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE The treatment consists of several visits, the inital consults are half an hour long and then broken down into 15 minute segments over a few months of treatment, once the patient is stable three monthly check ups over a few years to monotor progress and or any regressions. The technique consists of gentle cranial adjustments primarily to the sphenoid bone which is the central movable cranial bone of the floor of the brain and the posiiton that this very important cranial bone is in in relation to the right and left brain function, learning areas of the left brain and emotional centres of the right brain. Cranial bones move on inspiration and expiration, this is part of the cerebral spinal fluid pump and the primary respiratory function to move blood and nutrients to the brain and body and it is driven by the heart and diaphragm and is essential to human life. When the cranial bones jam or fixate as a protective distortional mechanism that is a compensatory state to any neural disorganization anywhere in the body then symptoms of learning difficulties and all that that this brood spectrum diagnosis and condition exhibits to include Autism, Downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, Aspergers, Retts, ODD, ADD, ADHD, epilepsy etc
N.O.T can determine if there is a learning difficulty or disability in a child, teenager or adult by the type and number of cranial fixations that show on initial consult and testing.
Please go to www.chiropractic-homeopathy.com.au for further information and to find a N.O.T Chiropractor in your area.

To be blunt, and average IQ means only that. when compaired to others of a similar age, he is about average. Which is good news for most parents. 

However a true measure of his abilities is further testing such as WIAT ect, then compariring his scores, across a number of different measures, to othose of his peers. From your response, and based upon his results it does seem as thought he may have a learning disability, that would need further investigation and clarification. Also there is another test that cone be carried out to assess his level of functioning, such as every day life skills, with the Vinland-II measure. This can be done through a local psychologist.

feel free to contact me if you need further clarification,

I hope to save you a bit of time and money by suggesting  that if your son had what is traditionally called a learning disability, it would have been mentioned in the Wisc or WAIS report that you refer to above. Your son has a cognitive ability within the normal range and this is a blessing. However I can understand why such a result would be confusing given that as his patent it would be clear to you that he does have difficulty learning. The problem here is that the term ‘learning disability’ refers to a severe impairment in learning that occurs because of a very large cognitive deficit. Your son's cognitive profile is largely within the average range. Therefore he does not get that label. Yet , learning is very difficult for your son but that difficulty has a different cause. From what you have said, it is the autism that causes his learning difficulties. This may sound like playing with words but I hope it helps you to understand why  those particular labels have been used in your son's case.

This is a good question, and hard to give a definitive answer without more information.  

An average IQ does not rule out a learning disability, but it does mean he is able to function at the average level for his age on the cognitive tasks in the test.

It is still possible that your son could have a specific learning disability, but likely that teachers would have picked this up by now, and if a comprehensive asessment has been done recently, this should have been identified. 

“Learning difficulties” , “Learning disability” and “Specific Learning Disablity/difficulties” are often used interchangeably, and usually refer to specific difficulties for example with Reading, or with Mathematics, so yes, usually related to academic tasks and success.

Particular weaknesses or problems with processing, understanding or implementing information may also affect other types of learning.

The difficulty learning “life skills” is more likely be a function of his Autism and the different perceptions and understandings his brain has of the world.    Often those with Autism respond well to particular methods of teaching such as direct instruction and applied behavioural analysis.