Learning Disabilities In Children

Learning disability in a child is a neurological disorder. A difference in the way a person’s brain is ‘wired’ is the cause behind learning disability. It is a lifelong issue and cannot be cured or fixed. Children facing learning disabilities, with the right support and intervention, can actually succeed in school and go on to have a successful career and become distinguished figures in various spheres.

Children having learning disabilities face difficulties with reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and organizing information without any help or if taught in the conventional ways. That does not suggest that they are less smart than other children. In fact, there are quite a lot of examples which prove that they can be more intelligent and smart than their peers. There are a variety of learning disabilities in children. Let us have a look at some of the common learning disabilities in children.

Common Learning Disabilities In Children

Dyslexia – It is a language based disability in which a child faces the problem of understanding written words. It is also referred as reading disability or reading disorder and is the most common of the learning disabilities in children.
Dyscalculia – It is a mathematical disability in which a child faces difficulty in solving arithmetic problems and grasping the various concepts of mathematics. It is a complex disability and requires the intervention of skillful teachers. Arithmetic difficulties can be as pervasive as reading disabilities and demand similar attention and concern.
Dysgraphia – It is a writing disability where a child finds it difficult to form letters, write within a defined space, poor handwriting and trouble putting thoughts on paper. Specific accommodations in the learning environment and additional practice will be beneficial for the one facing the disorder.
Auditory and Visual Processing Disorders – It is a sensory disability where a child finds it difficult to understand language in spite of having normal hearing and vision. The child is unable to recognize and interpret information taken in through the senses.
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities – This neurological disorder takes place in the right hemisphere of the brain. In case of this disability, a child finds problems with visual-spatial, intuitive, organizational, evaluating and other processing functions. This disorder is quite hard to understand and diagnose. Children are unable to recognize and translate nonverbal gestures such as facial expressions or tone of voice. They are not able to provide appropriate response to nonverbal stimuli and are wrongly considered as emotionally disturbed and branded as “problem children”. This type of disability occurs less than language based learning disorders.

These are the common learning disabilities in children. Though these disabilities may be difficult to cure, yet the combined efforts of parents, teachers and professionals can help children to go ahead and attain success in future. Encourage their strengths, know their weaknesses, understand the educational system and learn different strategies which will help children get rid of their weaknesses.

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