Learning Disorders in Children
Learning Disorders in Children
Children with learning disorders have difficulty achieving in specific academic areas. The child consistently performs beneath the levels expected for his age, education experience, and intelligence. Academic areas commonly affected by learning disorders include mathematics, reading, and written expression. These children receive and process external information differently than children without learning difficulties.
Signs and Symptoms
Parents should consider diagnostic testing for their child if he or she has trouble understanding and following a series of simple instructions; lacks age-appropriate gross and/or fine motor skills; consistently fails to perform at appropriate levels in reading, spelling, written expression, and/or mathematics; frequently loses important items, such as homework or books; reverses letters and numbers; cannot distinguish between right and left; or has difficulty with the concept of time passage. The child's pediatrician can work with mental health and school officials to coordinate testing, academic placement, and special therapies.
Types of Learning Disorders
The various types of learning disorders affect the way the child processes language and visual and auditory information. Those who have trouble processing auditory information have difficulty hearing the difference between sounds, which affects language skills and reading comprehension. Those with visual processing disorders do not properly interpret maps, charts, and symbols, and have low achievement in reading and math.
Specific Disorders
Children with dyslexia may reverse letters and numbers, making language arts skills and speech challenging. Children with trouble with basic math skills as well as understanding time and money have dyscalculia. Dysgraphia causes problems with handwriting, spelling, and idea organization. Some children have great difficulty with motor skills, both gross and fine, which affects their ability to properly hold a pencil, button a shirt, or run and jump. This disorder is known as dyspraxia.
Other Problems Affecting Learning
Asperger's Syndrome and autism are pervasive developmental disorders, not learning disorders, but certainly have a negative effect on learning. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), while not a learning disorder, disrupts the flow of learning even in children with a very high IQ. Children with ADHD consistently fail to complete homework, follow instructions, and stay organized. However, these children often show a marked improvement when prescribed medication that enhances focus and attentiveness.
Parenting a Child With a Learning Disorder
Raising a child with a learning disorder is challenging and often causes parents great stress and anxiety. Parents can reduce the level of anxiety over their child's disorder by following a few simple guidelines:
Get homework finished immediately upon arriving home.
Give out praise when the child does something well. This builds confidence and can motivate the child to work harder on weak areas.
Know how the child learns best. Some children learn best with visual instruction, others learn better through auditory instruction. Still others need hands-on instruction to process new information.
Network with other parents of children with learning disorders.
Establish a trusting relationship with the child's teacher and other school personnel. Communicate with them regularly about the child's progress and other pertinent information.
Treatment
Special education services offer the most effective therapy for children with learning disorders. Special educators are uniquely qualified to help children learn the skills necessary to achieve success in school and, ultimately, in their personal lives as well. If a child has an adjunct disorder, such as ADHD, her local pediatrician or pediatric psychiatrist may prescribe medications to augment her ability to focus at school and during therapy. Learning disorders often negatively affect a child throughout her entire life, but with consistent therapy, dedicated efforts of mental health professionals, and the support of a loving family, the child can experience a highly satisfying quality of life.
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