Learning disability or learning disorder is not a problem, neither does it prove that children with this disability are dumb or not intelligent. Research has shown that children with learning disabilities are just as smart as any other kid. It is natural for any parent to be worried about their child’s success but academic success is not the goal they should always focus on.
Every child needs love, support, care and encouragement but children with learning disabilities need more reinforcement, help to build their confidence and motivation to continue even when things are tough.
The different types of learning disabilities highlighted here are:
Dyslexia: This is a learning disability where children find difficulty in reading and comprehending words, letters, phrases and paragraphs. A tendency of mixing up letters in a word, taking time to read and skipping words and sentences while reading is there. A dyslexic child reverts the letters or words, for example for the letter ‘d’ they might put it as ‘b’.
Tips that can be helpful:
- Keep practicing writing and reading. Not only things related to academics but reading story books or writing one small paragraph everyday might be helpful.
- Know your strengths. It is a myth that children who are dyslexic are not intelligent, but it is seen that they are as smart as any other kid.
Dyscalculia: This is a learning disability where a child has difficulties in remembering numbers and mathematical symbols. A child has problems in recalling the numbers that comes before or after, sometimes they are unable to tell the time. They have difficulties in visualising numbers and formulas for completing mathematical calculations.
Tips that might be helpful.
- Play math games, sometimes children learn more through games.
- Teach more than way to solve math problems but try to concentrate on one concept at a time.
- The numbers should be large so that it is easier for them to recognise.
- Apply real situations to explain any mathematical problems.
Dysgraphia: A child who has difficulty in forming or writing letters or words. The problem generally includes illegible handwriting, poor spelling, poor spatial planning on paper. They also have difficulty in organising their thoughts.
Tips that might be helpful:
- Help your kids in writing big letters.
- Write on their back and ask them to identify it, it can be done while playing any game.
- You can ask them to describe in order their activity since the beginning of the day.
- Schedule writing practice time every day. Maybe everyday 15-20 mins they can practice writing.
It is helpful to pay attention to the child in their growing up period. You know your child the best, if you think there is a concern that you might not be sure of, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional. It is useful to seek help in the beginning as it will be help the child identify the areas of difficulty and focus on their strengths and weakness.
Counselling is also helpful as a child with any learning disorder feels shy, anxious, stressed, frustrated and have difficulty in expressing themselves. Therapy helps them talk through their emotional distress.