This brief booklet, which discusses characteristics and problems of learning disabled children, describes the typical learning-disabled child as one who frequently fails at school, appears disoriented, and has reading and language difficulties. The learning-disabled child is immature rather than abnormal, often functioning at a social and intellectual stage of development much younger than his chronological age. The learning-disabled child often copes by insisting on the rigid and inflexible rules and environments to which he or she is accustomed. Such children are frequently awkward, clumsy, and unable to understand time and spatial references. Learning-disabled children are also frequently able to embrace life, with a joyful, pure, and fresh perspective. Learning-disabled children must be taught to learn. Parents and teachers of children with learning disabilities must understand that the causes of learning disabilities are beyond their control and should plan realistically for the immediate future of the child, leaving long-range planning for the distant future as new knowledge in the field becomes available. The most important thing parents can do is to create structure and order in their children's lives and to offer constant help and encouragement in acquiring the everyday skills that lead to independence and a feeling of competence. Such children also need to understand that they are not retarded, but have a condition which makes learning difficult, that they will make it in the world, and that in the end, what counts are human qualities. (CB)