Understanding Learning Disabilities
What Are Learning Disabilities?
Learning disabilities refer to learning differences in how a child processes information or performs in the classroom.
Just because a child may struggle with learning disabilities doesn’t mean that they aren’t still intelligent. It just means that the way they learn may differ from that of their peers. Additionally, while a child may be very strong in a particular subject, such as math, they may struggle with other subjects, such as English.
Some parents may be at a loss as to how to help a child with a learning disability. If this is something that you’re going through, you’re not alone. Our team at Mind Works is here to help.
We can provide diagnostic tests to assess your child and determine a diagnosis if necessary. From there, we can work to come up with an individualized treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs. We can also provide you with all the resources and guidance necessary to help ensure your child receives the care they need.
How Do Learning Disabilities Affect My Child’s Learning?
Learning disabilities are considered neurological-based differences that impact how your child processes information.
These learning disorders can come in different forms and can affect people in different ways. In some cases, learning difficulties can make it challenging for a child to retain information or to understand different math concepts. Others may struggle with reading.
Just because a child has a learning disorder doesn’t mean that they don’t want to learn. However, the way they learn best may be different from those around them. When the parents of children with learning differences educate themselves about specific learning disabilities, it can help them to know how to best support their child.
What Are Common Types of Learning Disabilities?
Some of the most common types of learning disabilities include dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
The type of learning disorder a child has can affect which subjects in school they struggle with the most. For example, with dyslexia, it is common to have problems reading and spelling.
In the case of dysgraphia, a child may struggle with their handwriting and writing legibly. Those with dyscalculia tend to have trouble with math, specifically understanding number patterns or problem-solving.
While attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not classified as a learning disability, it can have a significant impact on how a child learns. It can also co-occur alongside certain learning disabilities. Those with ADHD may find following directions or paying attention in class challenging.
Learning differences of all kinds can have a detrimental impact on a child’s self-esteem and overall mental health.
How Can I Recognize Early Signs in My Child?
There are academic, behavioral, and emotional signs that you can keep an eye out for if you believe that your child may be struggling with a learning difference.
To ensure you’re aware of potential academic signs, it is important to check in with your child’s teacher and determine if their performance in class could be a reason for concern.
Some academic signs that a child may be struggling with a learning disability could include:
- Trouble writing or spelling
- Difficulty comprehending basic math concepts
- Struggling to learn letters or sounds
- Needing extra time to complete assignments
- Complaining about homework or trying to avoid completing assignments related to only specific subjects
Some behavioral or emotional signs that your child may be struggling with a learning disability could include:
- Struggling to pay attention during class or frequently zoning out during lessons
- Becoming anxious about going to school
- Frequently becoming angry, frustrated, or tearful when trying to complete homework or other school tasks
- Making negative comments about oneself, like “I’m stupid” or “I can’t do it”
Supporting Your Child at Home
How Can I Help My Child With Schoolwork?
You can help your child with their schoolwork by being patient, providing a calm study space, and encouraging them.
It is also important to stay in communication with your child’s teachers and/or therapists. They can help provide different strategies and resources to make schoolwork more manageable.
It can also be helpful to set up a solid schoolwork routine for your child and to remember to include breaks. Setting a timer for these breaks can be a useful reminder. Making sure that your child knows that a break is in sight can help them stay focused and prevent them from getting burnt out.
Consider being more aware of your language toward your child when helping them with schoolwork. For example, even if they didn’t get the answer correct, you can still praise them for the effort that they put forth.
What Parenting Tips Encourage Learning Success?
Practicing compassion and patience is very important for parents in encouraging learning success.
You want your child to feel supported and comfortable coming to you for help with schoolwork and expressing any difficulties they may be having in the classroom. Consistency and establishing a good routine can also help promote learning success.
How Can Positive Reinforcement Improve My Child’s Confidence?
Positive reinforcement can help improve your child’s self-esteem by ensuring they know that their hard work is being recognized and appreciated.
In addition, positive reinforcement can help encourage your child to keep up the hard work and stay motivated.
How Do I Support My Child’s Self-Esteem During Challenges?
During challenges, it is important to remind your child that you expect them to try their best, but you don’t expect them to be perfect.
Make sure to always celebrate their progress, even if they’re not yet where they would like to be. It’s also important to model self-compassion.
Working With Schools
How Can I Collaborate With My Child’s Teacher?
Frequently communicating with your child’s teacher and building a strong relationship with them early in the school year can help with the collaboration process.
This is especially important if you think your child may be struggling with their schoolwork. You can ask what you can do at home to best support your child’s learning, and ask for advice regarding study strategies they think will work well. Continue to encourage your child to follow their teacher’s advice both at home and at school.
What Is an Individualized Education Program (IEP)?
An IEP, or individualized education plan, is an education program tailored to what a child needs to overcome any potential challenges they may face, helping them succeed to the best of their ability in school.
When determining a child’s IEP, several different factors will be considered. This includes potential learning challenges they may have, what the child’s strengths are, and how they best learn. It will typically be associated with special accommodations, such as counseling, therapy, or extra time to complete assignments.
Several different people may play a role in the development of an IEP. This can include teachers and counselors, a child’s parents, and, at times, clinicians from outside of the school system. The plan is then reviewed on a regular basis to ensure it is working effectively and will be adjusted if necessary.
How Do Special Education Services Help My Child?
Special education services can help your child by ensuring that they have all the tools, resources, and support to succeed academically.
These services can help ensure that the child gets special accommodations to help support their learning style. They can also help promote strong collaboration between parents, teachers, and clinicians. Overall, this can help the child not only be able to perform at their best, but to feel confident in themselves.
How Can I Ensure My Child Gets Accommodations at School?
Collaborating with your child’s school, counselor, and, if needed, an outside clinician can help ensure your child gets the accommodations they need at school.
Requesting an IEP for your child and staying in regular communication with the child’s school can also help encourage this. At Mind Works, we can help advocate for your child to ensure they receive the support they need while at school.
Therapy and Professional Support
When Should I Consult a Pediatrician or Specialist?
If you think that your child may be struggling with a learning disability, it is a good idea to consult a pediatrician or specialist right away.
When learning disabilities are diagnosed and addressed early, the treatment process can go more smoothly. It can also help ensure that any learning problems they have don’t worsen over time and don’t impact their self-esteem.
Even if a mental health professional ultimately determines that your child does not meet the criteria of a learning disability, it does not hurt to have them evaluated.
How Can Occupational Therapy or Speech Therapy Help?
Occupational therapy and speech therapy can both be great ways to support a child who may struggle with language or communication, or is in need of further help with developing important life skills.
Speech therapy can help those who struggle with stuttering or pronouncing words clearly. It can also help those who may struggle with picking up on tone or body language.
Occupational therapy can benefit children who may struggle with coordination, handwriting, or regulating their emotions.
What Role Do Learning Disabilities Associations and Support Services Play?
Learning disabilities and support services can help advocate for your child and provide guidance and resources to ensure they have everything they need to succeed academically.
How Can Mental Health Professionals Support My Child’s Development?
Mental health professionals can help evaluate your child and provide a diagnosis if your child is struggling with a type of learning disability.
They can then help provide an individualized treatment plan to address their needs, as well as guidance to help you know how to best support your child.
Strategies for Learning and Skill Development
What Are Effective Ways to Improve Reading and Dyslexia Skills?
You can incorporate other senses – such as touch, sound, and sight – into the learning process.
For example, a child could trace letters while repeating the sound they make. They could also listen to audiobooks to help learn how words are pronounced.
How Can I Support Writing Skills With Dysgraphia?
Having a child trace words in sand, color letters in, or use typing software that utilizes games to make the learning process more fun.
When the child learns to enjoy the writing process, they are going to be more motivated to continue learning and may actually begin to look forward to it.
How Can Math Skills Be Improved With Dyscalculia?
Using visual or hands-on learning techniques can help a child learn in a style that is more effective for them and easier for them to envision.
You can also work with your child’s teacher or clinician to ensure they get extra time to complete math tests or assignments.
How Do Audiobooks or Assistive Technology Help?
These tools can help a child learn to enjoy reading without the stress of trying to struggle over each word, which can, in turn, improve motivation.
How Can I Help My Child Develop Problem-Solving and Motor Skills?
Incorporating play into problem-solving and motor skill development can not only be effective but can also make it more fun for the child.
For example, this could include board games that require strategy, puzzles, or arts and crafts.
Building Confidence and Independence
How Can I Encourage My Child’s Strengths and Interests?
You can pay attention to what topics or activities they seem to be truly curious about, and provide opportunities for them to explore these things further.
How Do I Foster Self-Confidence and Motivation?
You can celebrate your child’s progress and successes, and also use positive affirmations.
How Can I Support My Child’s Social and Emotional Well-Being?
You can promote open and honest conversation with your child by ensuring that they can always come to you if they need you.
In addition, you can model healthy emotional expression and regulation and encourage them to do the same.
Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Support
How Can I Track My Child’s Development and School Performance?
One of the best ways to track your child’s development and school performance is to ensure that you stay in regular communication with their teachers and review their grades frequently.
Looking over test scores and report cards alongside your child can help to make sure that you’re aware of what areas they’re doing well in and what areas they may need some extra support in. You can also set academic goals with your child and keep track of their progress along the way.
When Should I Adjust Learning Strategies or Interventions?
If learning strategies or interventions are causing a child’s performance to decrease or are adding more stress or frustration, they may need to be adjusted.
How Do Early Intervention and Consistent Support Make a Difference?
Early intervention helps ensure that the child gets the support they need right away so that their difficulties don’t get worse over time.
When this support is implemented consistently, it can help the child figure out ways that they learn best. This can improve their self-esteem and aid in their academic performance over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Learning Disabilities
What should I do if my child struggles to follow directions?
If your child is consistently struggling to follow directions, it might be a good idea to have them evaluated by their pediatrician or a mental health professional.
This can help determine if they may have a learning disability.
How can I support my child with ADHD or attention challenges?
You can use positive reinforcement when they focus well. Create a structured environment where they can learn and collaborate with their teacher or mental health clinician to provide support.
How can I navigate special needs or intellectual disabilities in school?
Reaching out to an advocate for your child, such as one of our clinicians at Mind Works, can help you navigate the process of learning or intellectual disabilities in the school and ensure your child is getting the support they need.
How can I ensure my child receives the best support for their grade level?
Making sure to educate yourself about what is expected of your child during this particular grade level and collaborating with their teacher, counselor, and a clinician can help ensure they are getting the support they need.
As a parent, it can be challenging to determine if your child’s learning struggles are typical or a potential learning disability. Is your child struggling in the classroom? Learn more about how to help a child with a learning disability. Contact Mind Works by calling (210) 366-3700 today.