From:
    PR Newswire
Date:
    July 24, 2006

- Learning for Children's Innovative Diagnostic Gaming(R) Series Helps Parents and Educators Spot Developmental Disorders -

BALTIMORE, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- An experienced team of educators, psychologists and technology professionals have teamed to develop the first computer-based games designed to help educators and parents identify children ages 3-9 with early signs of dyslexia, and children ages 3-5 with autism. Based on thousands of hours of development, Learning for Children (http://www.learningforchildren.com/) -- The Diagnostic Gaming Company(R) -- today announced the inaugural set of games in its innovative Early Detection Diagnostic Gaming(R) series. The first two games in the series are the Early Detection -- Dyslexia CD(R), and Early Detection -- Autism CD(R). Reviewed by prominent health care and educational professionals, and leading autism and dyslexia advocacy organizations, the entertaining, interactive games are suitable for parents to test individual children or for teachers to use in classroom settings. Feedback on a child's performance, as well as how to interpret results, is instant and confidential.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates one in ten children have dyslexia. Seventy-four percent of undiagnosed children in the second grade remain so into adulthood. The NIH also predicts that one in every 166 children suffers from autism. Early detection of these disorders, and intervention, is key to building effective treatment programs. With help early in life, children can progress through traditional educational experiences with fewer problems.

Children dislike tests -- especially if they know they are being tested. Thus, Learning for Children's series of computer games, divided into six levels, are based on low stress, low anxiety, fun and rewarding exercises in which a child is totally unaware they are being tested. This method results in a true measurement of a child's ability or disorder. Each level measures the age-appropriate developmental skills required to complete a game -- all through playing entertaining computer games that children love.

"Learning for Children has combined fun games with tools to help parents and educators detect possible developmental issues in children early on," says Dr. Candace R. Anderson, Ph.D., Boston University. "My three year-old triplets, and my five year-old daughter, love playing the games."

A key sign of autistic behavior is the inability to deal with random sequences. Therefore, the arrangement in our games is changed each time they are played. The analysis of play pays particular attention to the number of attempted answers made by a child, as well as their performance in games, which can reveal specific inabilities. As children play, the system tracks the number of incorrect and correct answers, as well as attempts made, in a private, password-protected record. A parent or teacher then uses this information to decide if further testing is warranted.

"Our son seemed unable to focus in preschool or follow instructions," reports Nicole B. of Lutherville, Maryland. "Playing the games from Learning for Children indicated he might have signs of autism. This spurred us to get him diagnosed professionally, and now he is getting the help he needs."

Learning for Children is proud to donate 10% of all sales to the International Dyslexia Foundation and a leading autism organization. The Early Detection -- Autism CD(R) and Early Detection -- Dyslexia CD(R) may be purchased individually for $49.95, or together for just $89.95. The classroom version CD is only $89.95, and can test up to 25 children. The games run on any PC and all versions of Microsoft Windows, or on any Windows-compliant Mac. No computer skills are required to play our games. A sample game may be played in the Product Review section at http://www.learningforchildren.com/.

"We developed our Diagnostic Games(R) because millions of children with autism and dyslexia go through our school systems undetected," says Bernard F. McCrory, Senior Partner of Learning for Children, who has a very personal motivation for helping children with developmental issues. "The result is they struggle through school and life, and get help too late -- or never. We want to improve the lives of children with these disorders by providing an affordable way to detect them when they're young."

Most other autism and dyslexia diagnostic tools are based on board games, other hard copy materials, or expensive testing. They are not fun, interactive computer games that children will enjoy playing repeatedly. Other diagnostic tools can cost over $150.00 and do not provide instant feedback.

Importantly, Learning for Children's games are not a substitute for professional testing and evaluation. Any positive results should be treated only as an indicator of autism or dyslexia, not a diagnosis. Parents with children testing positive should consult a health care professional.

About Learning for Children, LLC

Learning for Children is The Diagnostic Gaming Company(R). The company develops affordable and fun computer-based Diagnostic Games(R) that help parents and educators quickly identify young children with developmental issues. Through playing entertaining computer games that children love, our interactive system assesses child's developmental level appropriate to their age. If a child's performance suggests signs of developmental issues, diagnosis by a trained health care professional is strongly encouraged. The first games in Learning for Children's revolutionary Diagnostic Gaming series are the Early Detection -- Autism CD(R), and Early Detection -- Dyslexia CD(R). The games are suitable for parents to test individual children, or for use by educators in classroom settings. Learning for Children donates 10 of all sales to non-profit advocacy groups. The company is privately held and funded. Learning for Children is located at 1416 Clarkview Road, Baltimore, Maryland, 21209. We can be reached at (888) 717-6717, via email at sales@learningforchildren.com or on the Web at http://www.learningforchildren.com/.

CONTACT: Kent Streeb of Kaya Communications, +1-530-908-9225, kent@kayacom.com, for Learning for Children

Web site: http://www.learningforchildren.com/

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