What are Learning Disabilities?
Learning Difficulties (LDs) describes specific types of learning problems, including difficulty learning and using certain skills such as reading, writing, listening, speaking, reasoning and doing math. A learning difficulty is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to receive, process, store and respond to information. LDs are actually a group of disorders, and not a single disorder, and they are not the same as intellectual disabilities, sensory impairments (seeing or hearing) or Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Children with Learning Disabilities are as smart or smarter than their peers, with average or above average intelligence, but due to their disorders they struggle to acquire the skills they need for school, home and the community.
The common Learning Disabilities are Dyslexia (difficulties in reading), Dyscalculia (difficulties in math), Dysgraphia (difficulties in writing) and Dyspraxia (difficulties in fine motor skills).
LDs range from mild to severe and a child can have more than one type of learning disability. More than one third of children with LD also have Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Though these two disorders have some similar features such as difficulties with concentrating, memory and organizational skills, they are different disorders.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia, which is commonly identified as a “reading disability’, can also affect writing, spelling and even speaking. Although children with Dyslexia can understand complex ideas, they need more time to work through the information.
Some of the warning signs of Dyslexia which can appear at a younger age include speech delay, and having trouble recognizing the letters of the Alphabet, but Dyslexia is most often identified in Grade School when a child’s ability to process language can be seen more clearly.
Teaching methods that use sight, sound and touch can be of great help for a child with Dyslexia. There are many effective teaching tools and strategies to help a child with Dyslexia, such as making your home reader-friendly, reading out loud together, providing a variety of reading material on different topics to interest the child, using audio books, looking for apps and online games that can help build reading skills.
It is very important to praise your child’s reading efforts, and to encourage them to keep practicing.
Dyspraxia
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as Dyspraxia, is a common disorder affecting fine and/or gross motor coordination. Dyspraxia, which is often identified during the early school years, is an immaturity in the way the brain processes information, and affects the planning of what to do and how to do it.
Children with Dyspraxia have poor muscle tone, and could be late in reaching milestones such as rolling over, sitting down, standing, walking and speaking. They often experience difficulties with simple motor tasks such as self-feeding, running, holding a pencil, writing, dressing and doing up buttons, doing jigsaws, etc. They may bump into things often, or fall frequently, find it difficult to walk up and down stairs, and try to avoid Physical Education and games. They may also find it difficult to learn new skills, keeping friends or judging how to behave in company.
Dyspraxia often co-exists with other disorders including Dyslexia, and attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and may also face social and emotional difficulties such as problems with time management, planning and personal organization.
It is important to have your child assessed for Dyspraxia by a psychologist, physiotherapist, speech and language therapist or occupational therapist. The condition may improve as the child grows older, and on being provided with appropriate treatment and advice on practical steps to help minimize the every day difficulties caused by Dyspraxia. Providing encouragement and taking note of your child’s strengths and successes is very important.
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a specific learning disability that affects writing abilities, and can appear as difficulties with spelling, poor handwriting and having trouble putting thoughts on paper. Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder that generally appears when children are first learning to write, and can be a language based, and/or non-language based disorder. Non-language based Dysgraphia are those caused by difficulties performing the controlled fine motor skills required to write.
Children with dysgraphia may write their letters in reverse, have trouble remembering how letters are formed, or when to use capital or simple letters, and may find it difficult to form written sentences with correct grammar and punctuation. Other signs include unfinished or omitted words, strange wrist, body or paper position, talking to self whilst writing, difficulty organizing thoughts on paper, etc. Children with dysgraphia may speak more easily and fluently than they write.
Educational Psychologists can test to determine if a child has language-based dysgraphia, and Occupational Therapists can identify mechanical-based dysgraphia. Children with Dysgraphia can be helped by Accommodations (providing alternatives such as oral assessments instead of written tests), Modifications (Changing expectations or tasks to minimize or avoid the area of weakness) and Remediation (providing instruction for improving handwriting and writing skills).
Children with Dysgraphia can be taught to overcome some of their difficulties with written expression through different methods including using multi sensory techniques for learning letters, shapes and numbers, introducing a word processor or computer early (but handwriting should not be eliminated as it is a vital part of a child’s ability to function in the world), providing comfortable pens or pencils, providing tape recorders to supplement note taking and to prepare for writing assignments, and using assistive technology such as voice-activated software if the mechanical aspects of writing remains a major hurdle.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a learning issue that causes serious math difficulties, and it affects the ability to understand numbers and learn math facts. It is a brain-based condition that makes it hard to make sense of numbers and math concepts. Some children with Dyscalculia may know what to do in math class but they may not understand it’s logic, or why they’re doing it. Other kids with Dyscalculia might understand the logic behind the math but not be sure how and when to apply their knowledge to solving problems. Dyscalculia often occurs in association with other developmental disorders such as Dyslexia or ADHD/ADD. Co-occurrence of learning disorders is very common.
Typical symptoms of Dyscalculia or mathematical learning difficulties include having difficulty in counting backwards, easily forgetting mathematical procedures as they get more complex, such as ‘long division’ or fractions, weak mental arithmetic skills, having difficulty in doing word problems, and feeling challenged making change and handling money. Some strategies children with Dyscalculia find helpful include allowing use of fingers and scratch paper, using diagrams, drawing pictures of word problems, using graph paper, using examples that connect Math to real life, such as counting buttons, and playing Math related games designed to help children have fun and enjoy Math.
This struggle with Math can be very confusing for a child, especially if child is doing well in other subjects, and this can cause anxiety and low self-esteem. Math skills and concepts are required not only in the classroom, and having Dyscalculia can also affect a child’s social skills, sense of direction, physical coordination, money management and time management.
A proper Diagnosis and assessment is important, and the child’s pediatrician, teacher and an educational psychologist, would be able to should use a range of measures to identify which factors are creating problems for the child.
Signs and Diagnosis
A distinguishing feature or sign of a learning disability is a distinct and unexplained gap between a child’s level of expected achievement and the actual performance.
Some common signs associated with Learning Disabilities tend to be identified in the Primary School years. This is because lessons focus on the very things that the child may find difficult. If a child has unexpected problems with learning to read, write, listen, speak or do math, the parents and teachers should consider the possibility that the child has a learning difficulty, and investigate more. The child may then need to be evaluated for learning disabilities.
Treatment
When a child has Learning Disorders, it is often the parents who notice that something is wrong. Similarly, the teacher notices when a child is having difficulties in class. Parents and teachers can work together with sharing information so that steps can be taken to address the child’s special needs. Teaching organizational skills, study skills and learning strategies can be particularly helpful for children with Learning Disabilities.
Learning Disorders are lifelong, and it is essential to identify them at an early stage, and get the child the help they need. 80% of students with a learning difficulty have trouble reading, and 90% of these children will read normally if they receive help by first grade. However, 75% of children who receive help only after the age of nine will have some difficulty reading throughout their life. Hence it is extremely important to get help as early as possible, and to monitor the child’s progress.
Children with Learning Disabilities must be assured that they can learn. Although they struggle with learning, with the right help they will be able to meet the challenge and succeed. It is important to be honest and optimistic, and to focus on the child’s talents and strengths. Often children with LDs possess leadership skills, and are highly creative and excel in music, arts or sports. With the right support and intervention, children with learning disabilities can succeed in school and go on to successful careers.
Source:
http://www.ldonline.org/ldbasics
http://ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/what-is-ld/what-are-learning-disabilities
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/ld/
https://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/about-dyspraxia/dyspraxia-glance/
https://dsf.net.au/what-is-dysgraphia/
http://www.ldonline.org/article/12770/
http://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/dyscalculia/