Identifying the Signs of Learning Disabilities in Children
According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, one in five children in the U.S. have learning and attention issues. However, 48% of parents incorrectly believe that children will outgrow the difficulties, and 33% of educators say that sometimes what people call a learning disability is really just lack of motivation.
That said, students with a learning disability have a significantly increased risk of repeating grades, dropping out of school, and getting suspended. They also have a greater chance of getting involved with the justice system.
It’s important to identify the signs of learning disabilities in children early in order to get the right treatment and care as soon as possible. Here is more information about common learning disabilities in children and signs to look out for.
What Is a Learning Disorder?
Learning disorders are information-processing problems that prevent a person from learning a skill and using it effectively. Common learning disorders affect a child’s abilities in:
Reading, such as reading at typical pace, understanding what they read, recalling what they read accurately, making inferences based on reading, and spelling.
Writing, such as having slow and labor-intensive handwriting or writing that’s difficult to read, difficulty putting thoughts into writing, written text that’s poorly organized, and trouble with spelling/grammar/punctuation.
Math, including understanding how numbers work and relate, calculating math problems, memorizing basic calculations, using math symbols, understanding word problems, and organizing and recording info.
Nonverbal skills like interpreting facial expressions/nonverbal cues, using language appropriately, physical coordination, fine motor skills, and attention/planning/organizing.
Some symptoms can be found in all children at different times during their development, but a person with a learning disorder has a cluster of these symptoms that don’t disappear as they grow older.
What Causes Learning Disorders?
Factors that can influence development of learning disorders include:
Family history and genetics
Prenatal and neonatal risks, such as poor growth in uterus, exposure to alcohol/drugs before birth, premature birth, low birthweight
Psychological trauma or abuse
Physical trauma such as past head injuries or nervous system infections
Environmental exposure to toxins such as lead
Common Learning Disabilities in Children
The most common learning disabilities in children include:
Dyslexia: Language-based disability where person has trouble understanding words, sentences, or paragraphs.
Dyscalculia: Mathematical disability where person has difficult time solving arithmetic problems and grasping math concepts.
Dysgraphia: Writing disability where person finds it hard to form letters correctly or write within a defined space
Auditory and visual processing disabilities: Sensory disability where person has difficulty understanding language, despite normal hearing and vision.
Oral/written language disorder and specific reading comprehension deficit: Learning disabilities that affect understanding of what they read or of spoken language; ability to express oneself with oral language may also be impacted.
However, other learning disabilities to be aware of include:
ADHD: Difficulty staying focused and paying attention, controlling behavior, hyperactivity
Dyspraxia: Problems with movement and coordination, language, and speech
Executive functioning: Affects planning, organization, strategizing, attention to detail, and managing time and space
Early Warning Signs: Preschool Age
Late talking (compared to other children)
Pronunciation problems
Slow vocabulary growth
Inability to find the right word for things
Difficulty rhyming words
Trouble learning the alphabet, numbers, and days of the week
Extremely restless
Easily distracted
Trouble interacting with their peers
Poor ability to follow directions or routines
Early Warning Signs: Kindergarten Through 4th Grade
Slow to learn the connection between letters and sounds
Confusing basic words
Consistent reading and spelling errors, such as letter reversals, inversions, transpositions, and substitutions
Transposing number sequences
Confusing arithmetic signs
Slow recall of facts
Slow to learn new skills
Impulsiveness or lack of planning
Unstable pencil grip
Trouble learning time
Poor coordination, including lack of awareness of physical surroundings or being prone to accidents
Early Warning Signs: 5th Grade Through 7th Grade
Difficulty with reading comprehension, math skills, or handwriting
Trouble with open-ended test questions and word problems
Dislikes reading and writing
Lack of organizational skills, both at home and at school
Trouble following classroom discussions
Difficulty expressing thoughts out loud
Other Frequently Displayed Symptoms
Resisting doing homework or activities that involve reading, writing, or math
Consistently can’t complete homework assignments without significant help
Acts out or shows defiance, hostility, or excessive emotional reactions at school or during academic activities
Short attention span
Poor memory
Hand-eye coordination problems
Performing differently from day to day
Responding inappropriately in many instances
Difficult to discipline
Doesn’t adjust well to change
Treatment Options for Learning Disabilities in Children
Without early intervention, learning problems can quickly snowball. Additionally, children with learning disabilities often experience performance anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, chronic fatigue, loss of motivation, and acting out.
You can request an evaluation if there are concerns about learning problems that would include a series of tests and exams. Then, determining a learning disability depends on test results, teacher feedback, input from parents, and review of academic performance.
If your child is diagnosed with a learning disability, treatment options you may consider exploring are:
Assistance outside of the classroom from a tutor or other trained professional
Enrollment in an individualized education program (IEP), which are mandated in U.S. public schools for kids who meet certain criteria. In this program, your child and the teacher will set learning goals and determine the best strategies and services to support learning
Accommodations such as having extra time to complete assignment/tests, being seated near teacher, allowing use of computer applications, audiobooks to assist with reading, and others
Therapy such as occupational therapy or speech-language therapy
Medication
Remember, your child’s treatment plan will evolve over time as they learn what works for them, improve, or have additional symptoms that need to be managed. The important thing is to be patient and work closely with your child, their teachers, and their doctor to ensure the best treatment for them.
Contact Caliday
Caliday is an innovative program for children that connects them with a breadth of educational resources, individual development, and engagement outside the classroom. We offer before and after school care in Maryland that provides a safe, secure space for children to learn and grow together. Get started today, or contact us to learn more about our programs.
