Elaine Womboldt knows firsthand the struggle of dealing with a learning disability.

She has two children who have experienced such disorders, prompting her to create Lansing’s Learning Disabilities Families & Friends, Inc. in 1989, a resource center to help combat the problems that go along with learning disabilities.

These problems can include dyslexia, a lack of spelling and reading comprehension and difficulty with mathematics.

“I saw that there was a need for the family to work with kids and as a family unit for success,” Womboldt said. “My kids are grown now, and they are achieving and succeeding.”

In honor of October being National Learning Disabilities Month, the group is sponsoring an informational meeting today to educate people about the effects of such disorders and connect them with resources that can help.

The event, which will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., will feature a video about learning disabilities and a discussion about detecting the disorders and obtaining treatment. The meeting is at the Quality Inn’s Red Cedar Room, 3121 E. Grand River Ave., in Lansing.

Families & Friends is a volunteer organization that serves as a gateway to help people find information to deal with their disorder through regular meetings, workshops and seminars.

Womboldt said people need to be sensitive about the issue.

“They need to have an understanding that these individuals are very capable, intelligent, hard workers, but they process information differently and their learning style is unique,” she said. “They may need to have more time, or note-takers, books on tape and various services to accommodate their needs.”

Valerie Nilson, a learning disability specialist at MSU’s Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, said she thinks the work done by Families & Friends is beneficial.

“I think that the more the public understands about learning disabilities, the better off we are to be able to help students and others who have any type of learning disability,” she said.

“I think it’s great to bring to our attention that this is a very common condition, not something that has to curtail someone’s educational goals.”

Pamela Bellamy, director for King/Chavez/Parks College Day, is also the parent of a student with a learning disability.

And she said Family & Friends has been very supportive.

“I think it’s phenomenal,” she said. “Parents come together and get the support we need to find what works. We get together to share camaraderie, so we don’t feel like we are on the outside looking in. Our children learn differently, and that’s the beauty of it.”