Learning Disabilities (LD) in children refers to problems with speaking, reading, writing, spelling, and doing maths. LD can even affect the school performance of children who are of normal or above-average intelligence. However, despite their normal intelligence, they don’t do well with school skills and academic performance. LD can be of various types. Let’s know some common types of learning disorders in children.
6 Common types of Learning Disabilities in Children
Different types of learning disabilities affect different aspects of the brain. Each one affects different areas of learning.
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
The children who suffer from this disorder are unable to distinguish between similar yet different sounds in words. Such kids are also unable to tell where the sound is coming from and in which order. Kids with APD conditions may find it difficult to block background noise also. Boys are more prone to have it than girls.
Common symptoms :
-difficulty hearing speech in noisy environments.
-difficulty maintaining attention.
-problems locating the source of a sound.
-difficulty following directions.
-commonly asking for information to be repeated.
-inability to detect subtle changes in tone.
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Ways to help:
Although there's no cure for APD, some ways can help.
Classroom support
You can take the help of Electronic devices- an FM (frequency modulation) system that can help your child hear the teacher clearly. They can also sit toward the front of the class to limit background noise.
Making other skills stronger
If you can help your child to develop some things such as memory, problem-solving, and other learning skills, she/he can deal with APD.
Therapy
You can try speech therapy that can help your child to recognize sounds and improve conversational skills. Besides, supporting your child in reading that focuses on specific areas.
Changes at home
You can make a few changes at home to help your child with APD like covering hard floors with rugs to reduce echoes and limiting the use of the TV, radio, and other noisy electronics.
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Dyscalculia
When dyscalculia affects, the brain cannot comprehend numbers and mathematical symbols. Children with this disorder will have trouble with learning the order of numbers, and counting, as well as difficulty with telling time.
Common symptoms:
-difficulty counting backward.
-difficulty remembering 'basic' facts.
-slow to perform calculations.
-weak mental arithmetic skills.
-a poor sense of numbers & estimation.
-difficulty in understanding place value.
-the addition is often the default operation.
-high levels of mathematics anxiety.
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Ways to help:
-Children who play games using dominoes can understand simple maths concepts.
-Resist Using Worksheets.
-Use Manipulatives.
-Learn the Language of Math.
-Create Visual Models.
-Use Accommodations.
-Teach Toward Understanding.
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Dysgraphia
This disorder affects children's fine motor skills and the ability to write. Children with this disability cannot make their handwriting good and they follow disproportionate spacing between words.
Common symptoms:
-incorrect spelling and capitalization
-mixup of cursive and print letters
-inappropriate sizing and spacing of letters
-difficulty copying words
-slow or laboured writing
-difficulty visualising words before writing them
-unusual body or hand position when writing
-watching your hand while you write
-saying words aloud while writing
-omitting letters and words from sentences.
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Ways to help:
-Stretch out your hands.
-Learn to touch-type.
-Use cursive vs.
-Request accommodations.
-Try different paper and pens.
-Make audio recordings.
-Recite word spelling out loud.
-Brainstorm ideas before writing.
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Dyslexia
This disability affects reading and language-related comprehension skills. It is also called a Language-Based Learning Disability. Besides, this disorder can affect reading, writing, reading comprehension, and spelling.
Common symptoms:
-Difficulty reading, including reading aloud.
-Slow and labour-intensive reading and writing.
-Problems spelling.
-Avoid activities that involve reading.
-Cannot pronounce names or words, or have problems recalling words.
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Ways to help:
-Read to your child to improve their vocabulary and listening skills. This will also make them interested in books.
-Share reading; read some books and then discuss what's happening
-Overlearning.
-Silent reading.
-Make reading fun.
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Language Processing Disorder
It is a type of Auditory Processing Disorder that affects only the comprehension of language.
Common symptoms:
-Difficulty Following Directions.
-Trouble Rhyming At An Early Age.
-Vocabulary, Pronunciation, and Grammar Concerns.
-Attention Deficits.
-Inconsistent Performance.
-Reading Difficulty.
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Ways to Help:
-Keep your child engaged all time and establish eye contact when communicating with them.
-Give frequent instructions and guidelines.
-Use real materials to help learn concepts.
-Break down the tasks, especially for children with auditory challenges.
-Give the child more time to process and remember information.
-Do not rush at the time of speaking
-Highlight references to the child’s previous experiences and knowledge to help him make meaningful connections.
-Tell the child to follow you at every point.
-Minimise the pressure on the child. You need to be always encouraging.
-Give examples whenever teach anything
-Confirm that they can ask for clarification whenever they want.
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Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities
Children with this disability are weak in motor skills, spatial understanding, and poor social skills.
Common Symptoms:
-An incapacity to read non-verbal social cues; expressions and body language.
-Difficulty identifying and understanding sarcasm.
-Difficulty recognizing emotions in others.
-Trouble understanding visual information.
-Trouble grasping spatial relationships and judging distance.
-Poor physical coordination.
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Ways to help:
-Train faculty and staff
-Monitor progress and problems
-Shorten homework assignments
-Pair your child with a classroom buddy
-Maintain ongoing social skills training
-prevent bullying, taunting, and even exclusion
-Respect children when they say, “I can’t”
-Request that all tests be taken untimed
-Block out long-term projects
- Have a full technology evaluation
--Praise frequently and don't say anything negative in public places.
-Consider therapy.
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Conclusion
Learning Disabilities in children are curable problems. If your child has been exhibiting the symptoms of learning disabilities, take steps early and help them develop into the best person they can be. Give them your valuable time so that they can feel valued and encouraged to develop. Contact doctors if you observe serious issues in your child.