Learning Disabilities in Kids

Learning disability (or LD) was first identified in the 1950s and 1960s when it came to the notice that children with common intellectual skills displayed certain limitations while reading, writing, and speaking in school and among their friends. The instances of LD have soared to the extent that today, nearly 10-12% of India’s younger population is suffering from LD i.e., at least 3-4 students in a classroom, which is quite bothering. Experts state that learning disability isn’t a single term or disorder, indeed a group of disorders like Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, etc. Though this is a disorder, it’s completely curable through both kid’s and parents’ collective approaches. But for this, you need to be aware of: 1. What is a learning disability? 2. What are its causes? 3. What are the early signs of LD? 4. How can parents help out their kids suffering from LD?

What is a learning disability?

In layman’s terms, learning disability is a disorder that affects the brain’s ability to receive, process, and send information. Consequently, the children face difficulty in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, which later hampers their success. Since it’s mostly related to the nervous system, it’s also referred to as a neurological disorder.

What are the causes of learning disability?

According to the kid’s specialists and psychologists, below are the common causes of learning disorders among kids. 1. Stress/injury(s) during infancy If the child suffers from high fever, poor nutrition, or any head injury during infancy, it may lead to learning disabilities. 2. Hereditary Doctors believe that LD in most cases is hereditary i.e., if the parents suffered/are suffering from LD, the child is likely to face the same. 3. Premature birth Premature birth is one of the major causes of LD among kids, especially in the west. 4. Influence of alcohol/drugs during or before pregnancy Mothers who used to consume alcohol/drugs during or before pregnancy are said to give birth to infants with such disabilities. 5. Improper mentoring of kids When kids are deprived of the sufficient mentoring they require for their academic development; they start showing signs of LD. 6. Environmental exposure  The exposure of kids to the toxins like lead and cigarette smoke is proven in escalating the severity of learning disorders among them. Apart from these, there might be other causes too for the advent of any learning disability in your child the signs of which are discussed below.

What are the signs of LD?

It’s rightly said that the sooner you detect the signs of any learning disability, the better it’s for you and your child. Hence, keep a note of the following signs of LD in your lads. 1. Issues in reading, writing, speaking. 2. Difficulty in paying attention and retaining information. 3. Trouble while telling the time. 4. Difficulty in expressing their inner feelings and thoughts. 5. Under-performance in school/studies. 6. Losing their personal belongings like stationery or/and toys. 7. Poor hand-eye coordination. 8. The habit of reading aloud, while doing homework, writing in exams, etc. 9. Poor handwriting. 10. Inconsistent focus. 11. Using an immature form of grammar or incorrect grammar for a longer duration. It must be noted that only these signs are not a clear identification of any LD, and only a specialist can do the needful. Also, it’s possible that a kid may not show all the signs (mentioned) with a particular disability.

How can parents help out their kids having learning disabilities?

Kids suffering from learning disabilities often feel unique to others, which affects their minds negatively. Hence, it’s the parents’ responsibility to make them feel normal, and the following are some ways to do so. 1. Don’t treat your kids as unique to others and never compare their skills with others. 2. Experts suggest that if you can introduce someone (i.e., a role model) who suffered from the same/other LD in the past, kids can believe that victory over the disability is possible. 3. Correct your children’s spelling or speaking mistakes. 4. Don’t pressurize the kids to complete their work in one go. Ensure proper time to relax and refocus. 5. Celebrate their efforts and not the outcomes. For example, if they fail to solve a math problem, appreciate their efforts instead of thinking about their failure to find the solution. 6. Engage kids in various literacy activities like reading, writing, and speaking activities. 7. As learning disabilities often impact a kid’s maths skills, games that encourage the use of maths skills are also suggested. Having any learning disability can be upsetting for both you and your kids though it’s not anyone’s fault. But you have to lift their morale by motivating them. Treat them as usual, consult specialists or psychologists, and keep track of the success.

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