Education and Learning Disabilities Psychiatrists in 20007
Ralph Gemelli
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Washington, DC 20007
I am a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist and psychoanalyst providing individual psychotherapy, play therapy, couples therapy, pharmacotherapy and psychoanalysis to patients for the following presenting symptoms: anxiety, depression, poor school performance, stuttering, lack of motivation, and finding oneself in relationships with people who are devaluating and/or abusive. My interpersonal focus is to help each patient become aware of what he or she consciously or unconsciously does that prevents the patient from developing developmentally enhancing relationships with significant others.
I am a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist and psychoanalyst providing individual psychotherapy, play therapy, couples therapy, pharmacotherapy and psychoanalysis to patients for the following presenting symptoms: anxiety, depression, poor school performance, stuttering, lack of motivation, and finding oneself in relationships with people who are devaluating and/or abusive. My interpersonal focus is to help each patient become aware of what he or she consciously or unconsciously does that prevents the patient from developing developmentally enhancing relationships with significant others.
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How effective is treatment for learning disabilities?
When initiated early and tailored to a child’s specific needs, learning disability treatment can be quite effective at helping a child cope with their disability, though its exact efficacy may depend on the severity of symptoms and whether comorbid disorders exist. Less is known about treatment initiated in adulthood, but it is certainly possible that an adult with a learning disability will see some improvement—or at the very least, identify workarounds and accommodations that could make symptoms less burdensome in day-to-day life.
When should someone seek treatment for learning disabilities?
It’s best to seek treatment as early as possible. Because learning disabilities often go unnoticed until a child starts school, or even until they’re a few years along, regular check-ins with teachers and doctors can help parents determine whether children are meeting milestones and keeping up with peers or whether an evaluation for learning disabilities may be warranted. And although earlier is always better, it’s never too late to be evaluated for learning disabilities and to seek treatment.
What happens if learning disabilities are left untreated?
Undiagnosed and untreated learning disabilities can be a source of significant frustration and shame for a child, who may feel that their challenges stem from a lack of intelligence or willpower. Such feelings can trigger low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety, which may push a child toward risky behaviors, including substance use. In adulthood, untreated learning disabilities can interfere with career success, and lingering feelings of self-doubt and shame can negatively affect someone’s mental health.
Are there medications for learning disabilities?
Currently, there are no medications designed to treat specific learning disabilities such as dysgraphia or dyscalculia. However, someone with a learning disability may be prescribed medication for a comorbid condition, such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD, which may have positive downstream effects on their learning disability; for example, a child with both ADHD and dyslexia may find that they’re better able to focus on their reading exercises after being prescribed a stimulant medication.