Did you know?
- As per data, 25 to 35 million children in India are suffering from some form of learning disability (LD).
- The national prevalence has pooled around 8% to 10.7%, and these are not even proper numbers because some are not even diagnosed or have a lack of systematic screening.
- In LD, dysgraphia (writing difficulty) covers 12.5%, dyslexia (reading difficulty) covers 11.2%, and dyscalculia (math difficulty) covers 10.5%.
- As per studies, the prevalence is higher in boys (11.4%) in comparison to girls (7.1%).
You must have watched Taare Zameen Par, and know how that lead child faced difficulty in reading, learning, or even writing. Nearly a decade ago, the word “Learning Disability (LD)” was absent from the educational system. Not just parents, even teachers were not aware of such things. Because of this lack of information, just think how many children must have difficulty.
But now, this term has become common, and everyone understands that children with learning disabilities must be treated properly, and they require trained and qualified teachers who are adequate as per their requirements. But what is LD actually?
So, if your child is struggling with school, they dread reading aloud in class, are unable to tackle math, or even write an essay. So, this article might be for you, because it is about learning disabilities in school-age children, misinterpretations around this, and what the concrete signs of LD are that parents should not ignore.
What is a Learning Disability?
The terms learning disability or learning disorders, both are both umbrella terms for some form of learning challenge. This has no connection with motivation, intelligence, or laziness in your child. This is a problem where children process things differently because they have problems processing information, retrieving, and generating outputs. Writing, spelling, comprehension, or dealing with mathematics are some of the problems that children face, while on the other hand, the age group of other children is able to do things without any issue. This is a neurodevelopmental disorder and has become a major challenge in acquiring academic skills.
Type of Learning Disability
- Dyslexia- it is also known as reading disorder, and is majorly caused by a deficit in phonological processing. In this condition, common dyslexia signs in children include difficulties in reading words fluently, being unable to recognize words, and also having poor spelling and decoding abilities. It can delay speaking as per age and language.
- Dysgraphia- in this, a child faces challenges with the physical act of writing, and it can impact their handwriting or typing on a keyboard. It is not a disorder in how a child is expressing himself; instead, it is more about the challenges they are dealing with in physically transcribing words.
- Dyscalculia- it is a learning disability in math. It involves understanding quantities, concepts like math problems, or applying concepts to understand in order to solve problems.
Signs of Learning Disability in School-age Children
Every child shows different signs and symptoms, and they vary from child to child. One child may struggle to read or spell, while some can understand math. So, let’s understand the signs in different phases, so that you can easily detect the challenges.
Preschool age:
- Unable to pronounce words
- Trouble with finding the right word
- Difficulty in rhyming
- Trouble with colors, alphabets, shapes, numbers, or even days of the week
- Difficulty in controlling crayons, scissors, pencil, or coloring within lines
- Trouble zipping, buttoning a shirt, or tying shoes
Age between 5 to 9:
- Unable to blend sounds to make words
- Hard time learning how letters link to each other
- Child cannot read properly
- Confused between simple words
- Getting upset when someone tells them to read aloud
- Slow progress in learning new skills
- Confused between words while reading
- Difficulty in telling time or remembering sequences
Age between 10 to 13:
- Trouble with open-ended tests or word problems
- Poor handwriting in children
- Difficulty in reading and comprehensive math skills
- Dislike writing or reading in front of others
- Poor organizational skills (mostly they are considered messy)
- Trouble following classroom discussion
- Unable to express their thoughts
- Spell the same word differently on a single page
These signs can be reported by the teacher of your child because teachers are the ones who notice these symptoms first. So, if your child’s school reports some symptoms, or any type of difficulty your child is suffering, then make sure to understand the reason behind it, rather than becoming stubborn.
Difference between LD, ADHD and Slow Learner
| Aspects | Learning Disability (LD) | ADHD | Slow learner |
| Definition | It is a neurological condition that affects skills like writing, reading, or solving maths. | This is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, activity regulation, and impulse control. | This is not a disorder, but some children process things slowly and learn at a slow pace. This does not impair their intellectual ability. |
| Core difficulty | Challenges faced during academic learning, such as writing, reading, and solving maths problems, are basic needs. | Difficulty with attention, unable to stay still in one position, difficulty in controlling impulses. | Not one specific, but face challenges in learning all kinds of subjects (there are chances that your child might be good in sports) |
| Pattern | Might excel in some subjects, but education is all about reading and writing. | Inconsistent performance, but it can vary based on their interests | Struggle in all academic areas |
| Root cause | Their brain processes specific information and also the world differently to generate output of that | Differences in brain volume, especially in the frontal lobes, might be inherited from family, and also, their brain have different metabolism in parts of the brain. | Their intelligence roughly scores 70, and they have an overall slower pace of cognitive development. |
| Long-term outlook | Through proper treatment, they have achieved good success | Through proper treatment, they have achieved good success | Can improve steadily |
| Social and emotional signs | Frustrated as they feel fear while talking in front of others
Low confidence |
Impulsive, and it varies with peer interaction
May act without thinking |
Age-appropriate social skills |
Formal Assessment
There are some steps which are usually followed-
- Initial consultation is the first step where the professional discusses the child’s development and medical background with parents and teachers.
- By reviewing school performance, the academic progress is measured.
- Through standardised tools, cognitive abilities are evaluated.
- Academic assessment is done where reading, writing, spelling, written expression, and mathematical reasoning are checked.
- Professionals interpret the report and conclude the findings.
- Based on the report, therapies are recommended.
Remedial Therapy
Pillar 1: Education and reaching strategies
Involvement of Multiple Senses in Instruction
In this case, multiple senses are used in instruction. The learner will trace letters using sand, but in this case, he or she will pronounce the sounds of the letters rather than seeing them printed on paper. Instruction that uses multisensory methods has proved to be effective when teaching dyslexics due to its evidence base.
1. Instructional sequencing and structure
This instructional method entails breaking down skills into small segments and teaching them in a certain sequence. Teaching these skills requires previous skills to be acquired by the learner. Remediation works perfectly well with dyslexic and dyscalculic learners since they cannot grasp things without structure.
2. Overlearning and Repetitions
Generally, learners who face problems in learning need more repetitions than other learners. It is important to repeat the remedies again and again, so that they become use of this and develop a habit.
3. Remediation based on Child’s Own speed
In this specific remediation process, there will be different speeds for each child because it is dependent on the speed of the child and not the classroom speed. More time will be spent on hard concepts, whereas easy concepts will be covered very fast.
4. Remediation based on the Child’s strengths
In the process of remediation, not only will the child’s weaknesses be addressed but also his/her strengths such as verbal reasoning, visualization, storytelling, etc., and difficult concepts can be taught using these strengths.
Methods Used
- Orton-Gillingham- structured remedial approach for reading/dyslexia.
- Numerical remediation methods- visual approach (number lines, etc.) for dyscalculia.
- Handwriting without tears approach remediation- motor approach for handwriting/dysgraphia.
Pillar 2: School approach
Dyslexia
- Additional time for tasks related to reading or tests
- Audiobooks or computer software that can help read the texts at the grade level
- Lower reading load but no less emphasis on conceptual knowledge
- Color-coded or larger print books in case of problems in visual tracking
Dysgraphia
- Use of keyboard instead of handwriting
- Additional time for tasks related to tests
- Less emphasis on neatness in handwriting while testing writing skills
- Using a scribe or voice-word processor while writing
Dyscalculia
- Calculator or a chart of numbers when it is not a test situation
- Additional time for mathematical tests
- Visual aids and solved examples in addition to problems
- Fewer problems but more emphasis on conceptual clarity
Pillar 3: Specialised Therapies
1. Special Education Therapy
Individual or group therapy provided by a special educator employing an appropriate remediation program based on the specific needs of the child.
2. Occupational Therapy (OT)
One of the most applied therapies. OT will particularly help with the problem-related dysgraphia, which includes difficulties with fine motor coordination, strength of hand muscles, and grip. OT will also be helpful for LD cases where there is involvement of the senses and concentration.
3. Speech & Language Therapy
Speech and language therapy is helpful in cases where there is difficulty in reading and writing because of the problem of language processing.
4. Counselling/Behavioural Therapy
Children with learning disorders become frustrated and face problems with self-confidence and anxiety.
Why is a Learning Disability Certificate Important For Your Child?
There is one thing that parents should know. If your child is diagnosed with a learning disability, then how do you know whether your child is eligible for a learning disability certificate in India?
The certificate is based on a formal assessment of a child’s difficulty and functional impact, and this is done by qualified professionals. Parents should not solely rely on school observations and online screening.
It requires clinical psychologists, pediatricians or development specialists, special educators, and other qualified professionals.
It is necessary for children who are eligible to have their formal assessment made to ensure proper accommodation within the educational system. Accommodation may be various, as it may cover testing accommodation, teaching process and supportive accommodation, or any other accommodation related to education depending on the assessment results and regulations concerned.
It is also important to note that parents should understand that problems with reading, writing, and mathematical skills do not automatically mean a learning disability. It is necessary to perform a special kind of assessment to find out if there is a problem of dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia.
When Should Parents Seek Assessment?
The opinion of an expert can be taken if there is a school-going child who:
- Is unable to read although he is being given proper education
- Faces difficulty in spelling and writing
- Finds difficulty in writing
- Is unable to deal with numbers and simple mathematics
- Performs far below his potential in studies
- Takes a lot of time for doing things which they are supposed to do for their age group
Early detection of the problem will help the child get proper education instead of getting frustrated with problems at school.
Conclusion
Learning Disability is a disability that impacts the way a child learns; although it does affect their ability to succeed in life, it can impact their confidence to speak openly and even learn new things. The learning abilities of children suffering from LD can be built through correct and intervention teaching, appropriate classroom adjustment, and intervention techniques.
Take your child to Cradle Children Hospital and start their assessment. Because early intervention is the key to treat youe child better.
Book your consultation today!
FAQ’s
Can LD be cured?
LD is a neurobiological condition that affects the brain and the way it processes some kinds of information, and, thus, it is impossible to “cure” it; however, if there is an appropriate remediation program, children can learn functional skills.
When should I start the process of remedies for my child?
As soon as a learning disability is discovered, since the earlier a remediation starts, the better the results.
Would it be unfair for other students if a particular student received some accommodation in a classroom?
Not at all, since accommodation does not give any advantage to that student, because it is designed to help to remove obstacles related to the disability, and, therefore, the student can display his/her real abilities which are distorted by the LD.
Do all children with LD need IEPs (individualized education programme)?
Possibly, yes; however, in case when the school is unwilling to be flexible regarding LD, an IEP becomes unavoidable.
How can I determine which therapy is appropriate for my child?
Based on the diagnostic assessment made by a specialist is essential in order to find out which therapy my child needs. After analysing the results, paediatricians recommend the therapy best suited for a child.
