Children with Spina Bifida/ hydrocephalus often show unique learning strengths and weaknesses that affect their schoolwork. Parents and schools need to work together to help the young people meet their physical, social, emotional, and academic goals.

Most children with Spina Bifida/ hydrocephalus have I.Q. scores in the average range.  This result, however, is somewhat deceptive because there is a broad range of scores on intelligence test among children with Spina Bifida/ hydrocephalus ranging from the gifted to the retarded. Also, children with Spina Bifida/ hydrocephalus often have major differences among their abilities due to orthopedic and neurological problems. Both parents and teachers, however, must recognize that learning problems are routinely in children with Spina Bifida/ hydrocephalus. These problems contribute to poor academic functioning and schoolwork.

Acknowledgement that children with Spina Bifida often have learning problems allows for faster recognition and help. Often parents or teachers notice that something is interfering with a youngster's success at school but they are not sure what is wrong. It often helps to have a psychological evaluation, which would evaluate a child's intelligence, academic levels (e.g. visual perception, receptive and expressive language skills). Because of more basic learning problems, it is helpful to also evaluate neuropsychological functions. These include attention, perceptual-motor processes, reasoning and problem solving, organization and sequencing skills, and memory. If the child is receiving special education services, the parent can request an Individual Education Program (IEP) be written so that these problems are reflected in the plan.

For more information on this question and other related topics, SBA offers a series of fact sheets and publications. Additional questions or requests for information should be sent to the SBA National Resource Center.