Pearl Rieger, a lifeline to thousands of kids struggling with learning disabilities, dies at 98

Pearl Rieger connected with kids in a way few can. As a renowned educational diagnostician, she'd sit down with a kid, identify their obstacles to learning — such as dyslexia, ADHD or autism — chart a path forward, and work with parents and schools to implement it. She helped thousands of kids in the Chicago area and beyond during a career that spanned nearly six decades. Mrs. Rieger died July 23. She was 98. "Her life's work was saving kids," former journalist Carol Marin said at Mrs.…