Learning Disabilities and Their Identification

Every parent wants their children to have every opportunity to be successful in life. This often starts with making sure their child is getting the best education possible. However, for some children, this may not be as easy as it seems. 

There are a number of things that can interfere with a child’s ability to learn, and one common type of obstacle is a learning disability. Learning disabilities can impact any area of learning, from reading and writing to maths and science. While these types of obstacles may seem minor at first, over time, if left untreated they can have major consequences for your child’s future.

Here at ANC, we understand that dealing with a learning disability can be difficult, for both the individual and their loved ones. All too often, these disabilities go undiagnosed, leaving people feeling lost, alone, and misunderstood. 

To help our clients who may be going through such difficult circumstances, we’ve put together this informative blog, where we’ll delve deeper into learning disabilities, get an understanding of what exactly they entail, and identify what strategies are available to help your child reach their full potential.

What is a Learning Disability?

A learning disability is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to process and respond to information. Learning disabilities can cause problems with any type of learning, including reading, writing, maths, and spoken language. They can also affect a person’s ability to remember, organise information, or pay attention. As such, learning disabilities can affect an individual’s life beyond academics and can impact relationships with family, friends and in the workplace.

Learning disabilities can vary widely in their severity, and they are often not diagnosed until children reach school age. While some people have difficulty with only one of these skills, others have trouble with several. It’s important to note that learning disabilities are not the same as mental retardation or intellectual disability, which are characterised by low IQ. Instead, learning disabilities are due to differences in how the brain processes information.

Most people with learning disabilities have average or above-average intelligence. However, their brains are wired differently, which makes it difficult for them to process information in the same way as other people. Although there is no cure for learning disabilities, early intervention and specialised instruction can help people with learning disabilities develop the skills they need to lead productive lives.

Types of Learning Disabilities

There are many different types of learning disabilities, and each one can affect a person in different ways. It’s important for parents to understand what they are and how they can impact their child’s education. Learning disabilities generally fall into seven main types.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects reading skills. It is characterised by difficulty in reading accurately and fluently. People with dyslexia often have trouble with other language skills, such as spelling and writing. 

Dyslexia occurs in people of all intellectual levels. It is not caused by poor vision or hearing, or by emotional problems. There is no single cause of dyslexia, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. People with dyslexia often have a family member with the disorder.

Dysgraphia

Many people are familiar with the term dyslexia, but fewer have heard of dysgraphia. Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects a person’s ability to produce written language. 

While dyslexia primarily affects reading skills, dysgraphia specifically interferes with writing. Like dyslexia, dysgraphia can impact both children and adults. Symptoms of dysgraphia can vary depending on the individual, but may include poor handwriting, difficulty spelling words correctly, and trouble putting thoughts into words. 

There is no single cause of dysgraphia, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. 

Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a learning disability that affects a person’s ability to understand numbers and solve maths problems. Dyscalculia can make it difficult to perform simple tasks like counting change or understanding basic concepts like fractions. In severe cases, dyscalculia can cause problems with everyday activities like keeping track of time or reading a map. 

Although dyscalculia is often thought of as a maths disability, it can also impact other areas of learning such as reading comprehension or memory. 

Dyscalculia is believed to be caused by differences in the way the brain processes information, and it is thought to be more common in males than females. 

Auditory Processing Disorder (ADP)

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a neurological disorder that affects the way the brain processes auditory information. Individuals with APD often have difficulty understanding speech, especially when there is background noise. They may also have trouble with spatial awareness, and their speech may be unclear or difficult to understand. 

While APD can occur in individuals of any age, it is most common in children. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for optimising outcomes.There is no single cause of APD, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Treatment typically involves a combination of speech therapy and educational interventions. 

Language Processing Disorder (LDP)

Language Processing Disorder (LPD) is a neurological disorder that affects the ability to understand, process, and produce spoken and written language. Although LPD can occur in people of all ages, it is most common in children between the ages of 3 and 8.

LPD can be mild, moderate, or severe, and can cause difficulties with reading, writing, and/or speaking. People with LPD often have difficulty following directions, answering questions, and participating in conversations. They may also have difficulty with grammar, vocabulary, and using appropriate social skills. 

LPD is not caused by hearing loss or intellectual disability, and it is not the result of poor teaching or lack of motivation. Treatment for LPD typically involves speech-language therapy to help improve language skills. 

Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities (NLD)

Non-verbal learning disabilities (NLD) are neurological disorders that affect a person’s ability to understand and process non-verbal communication. This includes body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. 

People with NLD often have difficulty reading social cues and may appear insensitive or unresponsive to others. They may also have difficulty with fine motor skills and may be clumsy. NLD can make it hard for people to succeed in school and at work. It can also lead to social isolation and anxiety. 

Visual Perceptual / Visual Motor Deficit

When a person has visual perceptual / visual motor deficit, it means that their brain does not correctly process the information that their eyes see. This can result in problems with fine motor skills, as well as difficulties with tasks such as reading and writing. 

Visual perceptual / visual motor deficit can also impact a person’s ability to judge distance and depth. As a result, people with this condition may have trouble driving or participating in sports. 

What to Do?

Learning disabilities are often misunderstood and the whole diagnosis process can cause a significant degree of stress for all parties involved. If you believe your child is suffering from one, the good news is that there are many resources available to help children with learning disabilities.

To better assess the situation and obtain a greater understanding of the support that is available, it’s recommended you follow the below steps. 

Talk with your Child’s Teacher

As a first step, parents who suspect their child may have a learning disability should talk with their child’s teacher. Teachers spend a lot of time with your child and can often identify students who may benefit from additional support. The teacher may have observed behaviours or patterns that suggest a learning disability and can provide insights into how the child is performing in school. 

The teacher may also be able to offer suggestions for how to best support the child at home. In addition, the teacher can provide information about resources that may be available to help the child succeed in school. 

If the teacher agrees that your child may have a learning disability, he or she will likely refer you to the school psychologist or another specialist for further testing. This process is known as a formal assessment for learning disorders.

See Your GP

It can be difficult to identify a learning disability, as the symptoms can vary widely from person to person. Additionally, everyone learns differently and some people may struggle with certain tasks even if they do not have a learning disability.

Once you have talked with your child’s teacher you should then see your GP. Your local GP is a trusted professional who is often familiar with your child’s family history and background.

They’ll be able to better assess the situation, suggest some initial coping strategies, and ultimately refer you to a specialist who can assess your child’s strengths and weaknesses to determine if they have a learning disability and what type it is.

Ask About School-Based Skills Programs

Many school districts have programs in place to support students with learning disabilities. If you are concerned about your child’s progress in school, be sure to ask about any programs that may be available. 

These programs typically include one-on-one or small-group work with a learning support officer. They are focused on helping your child learn concepts and practice skills at a pace more suited to their learning needs. A supported environment with specialised instruction can make a big difference for struggling students.

Ask for a Formal Assessment for Learning Disorders

A formal assessment for learning disorders consists of a series of tests administered by a trained professional such as a psychologist or neurologist. These tests can help identify underlying academic strengths and weaknesses as well as areas of concern. 

Once a diagnosis of a learning disorder has been made, an Individualised Education Program (IEP) can be developed to provide your child with the necessary support in order to succeed in school. 

While the whole diagnosis process might be daunting, remember that there are many resources available to help your child reach his or her full potential. With the right support, your child can reach new heights both inside and outside of the classroom.

Specialised Learning Support for Children with Learning Disorders

Specialised learning support can help children with learning disorders to overcome their challenges and reach their full potential. This support can be provided both in and out of school, and may take a range of forms from one-on-one tutoring to assistive technology. Some of the support available includes: 

Learning Support Officer

A learning support officer is a trained professional who can provide specialised support to children with learning disorders. 

They work with children in the classroom and outside of school hours, tailoring their approach to meet the needs of each child. They’re focused on helping a child overcome their disorder and succeed in their studies. They can also provide support to families, teachers and other school staff.

Changes to the Learning Environment

Making changes to the learning environment can be an important part of providing specialised support for children with learning disorders. By making the environment more structured and predictable, children can feel more secure and have an easier time focusing on the task at hand. 

Additionally, providing ample opportunities for practice and regular feedback can help children with learning disorders to make steady progress. 

Changes to Learning and Assessment Activities

By making changes to the way that learning and assessment activities are structured, it is possible to provide an inclusive learning environment for all students.

These changes include the introduction of specialist teaching programs and a greater focus on individualised learning plans. In addition, accommodations for assessments can be made which include an allowance for extra time, the use of a word processor, and the use of a smaller testing room.

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is one type of specialised support that can be extremely beneficial for children with learning disorders. 

Assistive technology refers to any type of device or software that helps to improve academic performance. Common examples include text-to-speech software, which can help struggling readers comprehend text, and talking calculators, which can assist children with maths disabilities. By providing customised assistance, assistive technology can help level the playing field for children with learning disorders.

Specialised Coaching

A specialist coach or tutor can provide your child with the one-on-one attention they need to address their specific areas of difficulty. They specialise in creating a customised learning plan that is tailored to your child’s needs and abilities.

In addition specialist coaches or tutors can provide support to parents and teachers as they work with children with learning disorders. They can help parents and teachers to understand the specific needs of these children and how to best support them. 

ANC Can Help

Here at ANC we understand that the early childhood years lay the foundation for all future development, with the skills learnt during this period making a huge difference later in life.

To support our clients’ needs we offer comprehensive specialised support for learning disabilities. Our trained consultants will work with you to develop strategies to best support your child reach their goals. Some of the comprehensive support services we offer include: 

• Occupational Therapy
  • To build and improve fine motor skills, play and self-help skills
• Physiotherapy
  • To help build a core of gross motor, balancing and coordination skills
• Speech Therapy
  • To assist with overall speech and language, as well as effective command of eating and drinking skills
• Psychological Therapy
  • To assist in building relationships and better deal with emotions

In order to make best use of the therapies on offer, we take a multidisciplinary approach that is constantly reviewed as a child’s needs change. By providing targeted support we can help children with learning disorders to thrive in school and develop the skills they need for long-term success.

A learning disability is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to process and respond to information. These disorders can make it difficult for children to succeed in school and can have a lasting impact on their academic performance. 

Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take and resources available that will help your child get the tailored support that they need.

As a starting point you should talk with your child’s teacher about any problems your child might be experiencing in a school environment. A teacher will be able to provide valuable insights and recommend a school-based skills program that is more suited to your child’s needs.

For further consultation you should then see your local GP who can then refer you to a specialist that can conduct a formal assessment for learning disorders. Once a diagnosis of a learning disorder has been made, an Individualised Education Program (IEP) can be developed to provide your child with the necessary support in order to succeed in school. 

Once an accurate diagnosis has been made, it is then possible to access specialised support that is tailored to your child’s needs. This support can take a variety of forms from a learning support officer and changes to the learning environment, to assistive technology and specialised coaching.

With early identification and appropriate interventions, children with learning disabilities can go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives.

We hope this blog has been informative and given you important context to better understand learning disabilities.

Here at ANC, we understand that dealing with a learning disability can be difficult. Not only can it affect a child’s performance at school  but it can make every day tasks challenging. However, you don’t have to go through it alone. Our team of experts is here to provide support and guidance every step of the way. 

We offer a range of comprehensive services to support children with learning disabilities. Our team of trained professionals will spend the time to get to know your unique needs and then develop an Individualised Education Program that is tailored to help your child succeed and reach their full potential. 

For any of your Learning Disability support needs, why not contact us today.