Learning Disorders
What is Learning disorder?
Any child with reading, writing and maths difficulty will be screened for learning disorder (after other treatable causes are ruled out. They are often seen as naughty or stubborn kids but in reality they need help. Especially with our over whelming curriculum and high expectations.
How is it diagnosed?
According to DSM-5, the diagnosis of a specific learning disorder includes the following symptoms:
1.Persistent difficulties in reading, writing, arithmetic, or mathematical reasoning skills during formal years of schooling. Symptoms may include inaccurate or slow and effortful reading, poor written expression that lacks clarity, difficulties remembering number facts, or inaccurate mathematical reasoning.
2. Current academic skills must be well below the average range of scores in culturally and linguistically appropriate tests of reading, writing, or mathematics. Accordingly, a person who is dyslexic must read with great effort and not in the same manner as those who are typical readers.
3. Learning difficulties begin during the school-age years.
4. The individual's difficulties must not be better explained by developmental, neurological, sensory (vision or hearing), or motor disorders and must significantly interfere with academic achievement, occupational performance, or activities of daily living
Frequently Asked Questions
If academic difficulties are noted, what next?
Are any concessions given for these kids diagnosed with LD?
If academic difficulties are noted, what next?
Measures will be suggested by your developmental doctor to address the issues. Follow up is needed.Even after correctives measures are done and problem persists, then detail evaluation for learning disorder will be suggested.
Who are the children at risk of LD?
Are any concessions given for these kids diagnosed with LD?
If academic difficulties are noted, what next?
Children who had language delay, born preterm are at risk of LD. Because when a child has difficulty to read initially, he/she can’t read to learn. Especially at higher grades were academic demands are more, these difficulties get unmasked.
Are any concessions given for these kids diagnosed with LD?
Are any concessions given for these kids diagnosed with LD?
Are any concessions given for these kids diagnosed with LD?
Yes. It is possible only when we understand the condition and help them to get these concessions.Boards /states -help the child by giving extra time, no reduction of marks for spelling mistakes, use of calculator or scribe.
Can I help my child?
Do all kids need remedial or alternate schooling?
Are any concessions given for these kids diagnosed with LD?
Yes. By accepting that child needs help. No need to feel guilty because it’s not due to faulty parenting. Also liaise with school and teachers. Depending on the condition and extent of help needed, measures will be started.
Will extra tuitions help?
Do all kids need remedial or alternate schooling?
Do all kids need remedial or alternate schooling?
No, extra regular tuitions won't help. The child needs remedial classes but teachers who are trained in teaching children with Learning Disorders. Concepts are taught in a way they can understand.
Do all kids need remedial or alternate schooling?
Do all kids need remedial or alternate schooling?
Do all kids need remedial or alternate schooling?
It depends on the child. Some kids who have mild LD can be taught in regular class with similar accommodations.There are few who need more help and directed remedial.There are few who may benefit from the NIOS ( national institute of open schooling ) curriculum. They get to choose subjects.There are some who may benefit from vocational training and guidance.So in short it is tailored according to the child and family needs.
How can I help?
What are the other conditions associated with LD?
What are the other conditions associated with LD?
Some simple ideas-
1. For children with reading difficulties start off with teaching phonics. eg jolly phonics Teaching the sounds of letters is very helpful. Making then split the word to the letters, jointing the letters to form a word , asking the first letter of the word sounds are few games. Use colour pens to highlight the word family eg-at family words - highlight at. Colour coding is very useful.
2. For maths use objects , counters. When we use objects to add , substructure -it makes it visual and easy for them to understand. Teach basic maths concepts -like big and small, comparison and sequential counting.
3. For writing- Improving by using dotted lines ,dark pencil if child writes lightly ,use pictures to remember sequence, make them write on sand, using play dough to from letters, pencil grips if needed, proper seating.
What are the other conditions associated with LD?
What are the other conditions associated with LD?
What are the other conditions associated with LD?
Along with LD, the following can co exist-
- Balance issues- they appear to be clumsy,
- Have problems with attention,
- Hyperactivity.
What happens if we don’t address LD?
What are the other conditions associated with LD?
What happens if we don’t address LD?
If they aren’t supported and understood , children with LD can develop more problems like addiction, poor social interaction, suicide risk. So pick them up and act early. Then we can prevent these secondary problems.
Resources
Resources
What happens if we don’t address LD?
For Maths reading, writing and word lists. https://www.greatschools.org/gk/worksheets/?grade=kindergarten
For Fine Motor Activities https://dayswithgrey.com/blog/50-fine-motor-skills-activities/