A consistent problem in a particular learning area can be considered as an indication that your child has learning difficulties in that specific area. A variety of learning problems or learning difficulties  including difficulties in seeing, hearing, and, understanding can be considered as learning disabilities or learning disorders [1]. As I mentioned in the previous blog  the most common types of learning disorders include disabilities in reading, writing, arithmetic, thinking, listening, and speaking [2]. Even though the child actively participates in learning, a problem in a particular learning area mentioned above indicates a learning disorder in your child [3][4]. After the diagnosis of the disorder  proper support, and training to improve the needed skills is necessary. This blog provides essential things to know for supporting a child with learning disabilities.

Know the signs of the learning difficulties in your child

Children with learning disabilities struggle in their school long before they get diagnosed with their disabilities  which can eventually affect their motivation and self-esteem. Hence, the most critical step to support disabilities in your child is to find out the type of disability that affects your child’s learning process [5]. Although children with learning disabilities have difficulties in one particular area of learning, they can excel in another learning area.

Find out any physical reasons behind learning difficulties

As mentioned in my previous blog  another important step is to identify the physical reasons behind your child’s learning difficulty  It is important to know the causes behind learning disabilities such as family history and genetics, risks during pregnancy and birth (poor nutrition, premature birth, labor issues, etc.), physical (head injury, nervous system infections) and psychological trauma (early childhood abuse or trauma), and environmental risks (toxin exposure). This information will help to provide adequate support and treatment for the disability [6][7][8].

Identify and distinguish Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or learning disability

Even though ADHD is not a learning disability, it can make the child’s learning difficult. A child with ADHD is not able to sit and concentrate in the class and has difficulties in focusing and paying attention to the learning materials. Once successfully treated, ADHD children can improve their learning difficulties. However, there are often cases, in which both ADHD and learning disability co-exist. In this case, the child may have broad impairment of executive functions combined with the impairment of the particular skills needed for learning. Hence, it is important to recognize and differentiate whether the child has a learning disability  ADHD, or both for providing necessary treatments [9][10].

Analyze the intelligence and the performance of the child

Learning disabilities can also be identified through a combination of standardized tests like intelligence tests and performance tests. Both intellectual disability and learning disability affect the learning performance of the child. However, learning disability does not mean that the child has lower intelligence (IQ). Nevertheless, learning disability implies a child’s poor or lower performance in one or two skill areas (reading, writing, arithmetic, and speaking) compared to the child’s overall IQ. A child with IQ under 70 is considered intellectually disabled, and their difficulties in learning are due to their low intelligence. A person with an IQ of 20-34 has a severe learning disability, 35-49 has a moderate learning disability, and 50-70 has a mild learning disability. However, in most cases, children with learning disabilities usually have average or above-average intelligence [11][12][13]. In these cases of learning difficulties, there exist inconsistency between their achievements and their potential for learning.  

Give time and sufficient support to improve learning

Children with learning disabilities face many challenges in the classroom, struggle to succeed in school, and hence face difficulty in excelling in other areas of life. However, many of these learning-disabled children can improve their learning difficulties with time and encouragement to advance their skills through proper training. Children with learning difficulties in speaking and reading slowly get better with appropriate guidance and through continuous practice. However, it is not easy to advance learning skills such as spelling and arithmetic skills. But these skills can also improve to a certain level through support and coaching from trained experts or tutors. In order to properly treat the child, the need for a professional therapist or trained tuto  is necessary for providing the right strategies to enable your child to succeed in school and hence live a fulfilling life [14][15].

Conclusions

The learning difficulties may emotionally affect the child, which also affects the child’s daily activities in the school. Due to this emotional imbalance, your child may experience performance anxiety, depression, and hence affect your child’s self-esteem and motivation. Therefore, the most important thing is to understand the signs of learning disabilities in your child and provide enough support to help your child for recovering from the difficulties that they face in specific skill areas for learning. Additionally, focus and encourage your child’s strengths and interests by giving your support as parents. Further, train your child to develop strategies to improve his/her skills in problematic areas and build confidence to perform well in life.

References

[1] Francis J Pirozzolo et al, Neuropsychological and Cognitive Processes in Reading, Academic Press Inc., 1981.

[2] Crystle N Alonzo et al., Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing, 63, 2020, 151-162.

[3] Janet Collins et al., Understanding Learning: Influences and Outcomes, SAGE publications, 2001.

[4] Christopher Gillberg et al., The Lancet, 362, 2003, 811-821.

[5] Robin L Peterson et al., The Lancet, 379, 2012, 1997-2007.

[6] https://www.ncld.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2014-State-of-LD.pdf

[7] https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/causes

[8]https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/is-dyslexia-genetic

[9] Bennett A Shaywitz et al., Journal of Child Neurology, 10, 1995, S50-S57.

[10] Cynthia A Riccio et al., Learning Disability Quarterly, 17, 1994, 311-322.

[11] Linda S Siegel, Journal of Learning Disabilities, 22, 1981, 469–478.

[12] Catherine A Fiorello et al., Applied Neuropsychology, 14, 2007, 2-12.

[13] Matti Sillanpää, Epilepsy & Behavior, 5, 2004, 937-944.

[14] Karen McKenzie et al, British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 28, 2008, 143-147.

[15] Kenneth A Rath et al., Educational Psychology Review, 14, 2002, 353-381.