Does Your Child Have A Learning Disability? What Is A ‘Learning Disability’?

If your child struggles with school, struggles to solve a simple math problem, struggles writing a paragraph or dreads reading, is frustrated and irritable as he/she can’t perform simple tasks that other kids of his/her age group are able to tackle, then this is an indication that he/she is most likely having some sort of learning disability. As a parent, you are more likely to pick this up especially when helping your child with homework and noting that the child is struggling in a particular area consistently. This can be extremely challenging for you and your child, however, you can overcome the challenges by understanding the type of learning disability and then ensuring he/she gets the best help to overcome their challenges.

These include a wide range of learning problems, but this doesn’t imply that your child is an idiot or that he/she is lazy.  In fact most times, a child is as intelligent as any other child, it’s just that there is a simple wiring problem in the brain which alters the way it receives and processes information, making the child interpret differently as he/she sees, hears and understands differently. This interferes with the learning processing causing difficulty in learning but doesn’t mean that he/she can’t tackle the challenges of learning. Some of the common learning disorders involve problems with reading, writing, speaking, solving math, reasoning & listening.

What To Do & How To Help A Child With A Learning Disability?

It’s best you take your child to a paediatrician if you suspect any problem. A series of tests and thorough evaluation is required to reach the diagnosis. After all, it’s not easy to diagnose a child with a learning disability as at times it can be confused with other conditions or behavioural problems. Once confirmed, remember your child isn’t dumb, he is smart as any other child just processes information differently from others. Once you keep this in your mind, you will understand that it is then possible to teach your child in special ways unique to his/her learning style. In other words, tailored lessons with special assistance are needed to help overcome the challenge. Reassure your child as it’s very frustrating to a child who can’t seem to get his/her head around the issue. Create a strong support system for your child & help them learn to deal with the frustrations and get through the challenges.

What To Look For in Preschool Age:

• Difficulty pronouncing words
• Difficulty in rhyming
• Trouble learning numbers or alphabets
• Trouble learning colours, shapes and days of the week
• Difficulty colouring within the line
• Struggling closing buttons, zippers or tying shoelaces

What To Look For in Ages 5-9:

• Unable to make words
• Confusing words when reading
• Slow to pick up new skills
• Misspelling
• Struggling with maths

What To Look For in Ages 10-13:

• Difficulty in maths, reading, comprehension
• Doesn’t enjoy reading
• Poor handwriting
• Disorganised
• Unable to follow discussions
• Misspelling the same word

It’s also very important to closely monitor your child’s developmental milestones for example when he/she starts to talk as compared to when he/she should have started to talk. This can help pick up a learning disability earlier on.

The Common Types Of Learning Disabilities:

Dyslexia (difficulty with reading)- This is a learning disorder where a child finds difficulty in reading or interpreting words, letters or other symbols. Look out for poor reading speed, poor fluency, poor vocabulary skills, inability in letter & word recognition.

Dyscalculia (difficulty with math)- This is a learning disorder involving numbers where a child finds difficulty solving math problems. Look out for struggling to memorize and organize numbers, struggling with signs or telling time.

Dysgraphia (difficulty with writing)- This is a learning disorder where a child is unable to write coherently. He/she may face problems writing or comprehending and synthesizing information. Look out for poor handwriting, inability to write neatly on a line, inability to copy letters and words and poor spelling.

Dyspraxia (sensory integration disorder)- This is a learning disability involving motor skills, where a child has a problem with movement and coordination and this could involve fine motor skills (writing) or gross motor skills (jumping). Look out for lack in hand-eye coordination (struggle buttoning a shirt or holding a pencil).

Dysphasia/Aphasia (difficulty with language)- This is a learning disability involving language, where a child struggles comprehending and speaking. Look out for problems with verbal language skills, fluency of speech and inability to understand meanings.

Can The Learning Disability Be Rectified?

Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, with time, advancing technology and assistance using special teaching/training methods, the brain is able to form new neural connections that can help facilitate the lacking skills such as reading and writing which were not possible with the old neural connections, thereby overcoming a particular disability.