Learning Disabilities and Disorders

Introduction

We have all had our fair share of challenges in the academic and co-curricular sectors during our school years. Especially a child has their strengths and weakness during the growing up phase.

Is your child dreading going to school? Are they facing any difficulty? Do they have a fear of performing on stage, writing an essay, reading aloud, or solving a math problem? You would be surprised to know that a child can be wise, creative, and funny, but still, they are struggling with school. A child may be putting effort to learn – but cannot master the information. At the same time, a child writes beautiful essays but finds it challenging to do a simple math assignment. A child excels at answering questions in class but is unable to write them down. 

These are a few classic examples of children with Learning Disabilities. This term was virtually unknown in the Indian educational system a decade ago. Even today, most teachers would have noticed it in the classrooms, but only a handful of them would have understood its severity, and a few would know how to deal with it. Parents and teachers are frequently the first to notice if a child has a learning disability. 

Read on further to know everything about Learning disabilities and how to cope with them.

What are learning disabilities?

Before we go any further – it is critical to understand what a learning disability is.

Well; Learning disabilities or disorders are umbrella terms with a wide range of learning disorders. It; is by no means to imply that a person with a learning disability lacks intelligence or motivation. Neither does it entail that such people are dumb or lazy. Most of them are intelligent. It is just that their brains are wired differently than the rest of us. And this difference has an impact on how they react to any information.

These children and adults hear, see, and interpret things differently than others. It can make it difficult for them to understand and implement new information and skills. A few common learning disabilities types are problems with writing, listening, reading, speaking, and math reasoning. 

Though commonly, kids face trouble with their studies from time to time, if they consistently face issues in a particular area, then it is a matter of concern and indicates a learning disorder. 

Signs and symptoms of learning disabilities and disorders

Learning disabilities can appear very differently in each child. It’s not always easy to determine if someone has a learning disability. There is a wide variation in each case with no single symptom to refer to as evidence of the problem. 

Some warning signs, however, are more prevalent than others. You can detect a learning disorder early on if you know what they are and take quick action to assist your child if you know what they are.

The following symptoms may indicate that a child has a learning disability:

• Untidy handwriting
• Reading dislike or difficulty
• Having trouble arranging their ideas in order to express what they want to say
• Memory issues
• Trouble following directions, remembering words, rhyming, and expressing oneself
• Unable to focus
• Difficulty with spelling, maths, reasoning, and coordinating
• Delayed speech

Types of Learning Disabilities

It’s difficult to watch a child suffer, especially at an age when they should be having fun and having a good time – it’s difficult to see them lose their confidence. Being aware of what you are up against will help you create a more effective plan for dealing with the child’s learning problems.

Some of the prevalent learning disabilities are: 

Dyslexia

Learning disabilities in basic reading occur when the person finds it difficult to understand the correlation between words, letters, and sounds. Difficulty in reading comprehension occurs when the child cannot understand the meaning of words and paragraphs. A few signs of reading disability include difficulty in general vocabulary skills, word recognition, reading fluency, and understanding words.

Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a math learning disability. It varies widely depending on the child’s weaknesses and strengths. It varies based on the child’s visual disorder, language learning disability, difficulty with memory, sequencing, or organization. A child with dyscalculia may struggle with organizing and memorizing numbers and operation signs. They may also find difficulty in understanding time, doing math problems, and using money.

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a learning disability in writing that includes both the mental activity of comprehending the information and the physical act of writing. The basic writing disorder refers to the difficulty in creating words. It also makes it difficult to integrate thoughts on paper.  Some of the symptoms of learning disabilities in writing include problems with spelling consistency, accurate copying of words, consistency, and neatness of writing. 

Diagnosis and testing for learning disabilities and disorders

Identifying a learning disability is not as easy as it sounds. It is vital to have the child diagnosed by a qualified professional. It may not always be necessary that the problems faced by a child are related to a learning disability, thus intervention is required. Learning disabilities are frequently confused with ADHD and other mental health issues. 

Learning disability, when not diagnosed and treated on time, may lead to several other issues, including behavioural and emotional issues. If necessary, get a second opinion and focus on practical measures to support the child and address their problems.

Getting help for children with learning disabilities

About learning disabilities – it is difficult to analyze what needs to be done and where to seek help. Parents have a significant impact on their children. Parents should support their child’s social and educational needs. It is crucial to seek the advice of experts who can detect the problem. A parent should also discuss with their child’s school to avail themselves of specialized academic help and support. 

At the same time, parents should keep themselves abreast with new services and treatments.  Educate yourself so you can assist your child in enhancing their abilities. Teach the child how to overcome obstacles and focus on their strengths. Emphasize the positive aspects and encourage them to work on their weaknesses. It will boost their self-esteem and confidence in their potential to succeed.

Conclusion

Parenting a child with a learning disability might be challenging at times. But, in such cases, both children and parents need to understand that it is nothing out of the ordinary. Children who think and learn differently can prosper with optimum support. If your child has been displaying any symptoms of learning disabilities, early intervention with TruHap – which has the best psychologist in Hyderabad, is vital. Consult with their child psychologist in Hyderabad to diagnose, treat and develop your child into the best person they can be. The sooner you realize what is going on with your child, the sooner you can help your child. Connect with TruHap on this number 094912 08645 or write to us at info@truhap.com

But, besides some additional challenges, children can live healthy and happy lives. Encourage the child to discover the best way to face their challenges. Many renowned personalities such as Agatha Christie, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Hrithik Roshan struggled with learning disabilities. They overcame their obstacles through hard work and perseverance and have made an impact on the world. With such kind of determination, for a child with a learning disability – the sky is the limit.