Parents want their kids to perform well at school, but it can be heartbreaking to see their smart kid have difficulty with one or more subjects. Despite their intelligence in other areas, these children may start to fall behind in academics. Learning disabilities in children are far more common than parents realise, and with early interventions, it’s possible to empower the child.
In this blog, we explain what the 7 main types of learning disabilities are, signs to watch out for, and how to get the right support to help the child thrive.
When a child’s brain processes information differently from most, they may have a learning disability. It can impact basic skills like reading, writing, or understanding mathematics. Learning disabilities can also influence a child’s organisational skills, time management, abstract reasoning, memory, and attention.
Most children are diagnosed with learning disabilities during the school years, when they start having difficulties with academics. However, for some, it can remain undiagnosed until they become adults. In several cases, people with learning disabilities often have average or above-average intelligence. But there can be a gap between what they achieved and what they can achieve.
Learning disability is a lifelong challenge, and understanding it is the first step to finding the right support and intervention to achieve success at school, work, in the community, and in relationships.
While learning disabilities are an umbrella term, the signs, symptoms, and characteristics vary based on the type of challenge a person has. These learning differences need different types of interventions to help the individual thrive. The following are the 7 main types of learning disabilities:
Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects how the brain processes written language. It affects reading, writing, and spelling capabilities, making it challenging for people to decode words. Often, children with dyslexia reverse letters and find it very difficult to read.
There are two types of dyslexia: phonological dyslexia (challenges in sounding out words) and surface dyslexia (difficulty in recognising whole words). Signs of dyslexia include:
Dyslexic individuals may have trouble reading, but they may be visual-spatial learners. If not supported, dyslexia can result in academic underachievement and lower self-esteem. With the right support using structured literacy tutoring, kids with dyslexia can also excel in academics.
When kids have dyscalculia, they may have difficulty understanding numbers, maths, and quantities. Children may find it difficult to count, do mental maths, read time, and calculate money.
Common signs of dyscalculia are:
Specialists conduct standardised tests to find out if a child has dyscalculia. Personalised training and support using calculators and breaking down problems can help a student to perform mathematical operations.
Children with dysgraphia often have poor handwriting and spelling because their brain has problems with processing written expression and visual-spatial processing. They may also lack fine motor skills that guide finger movements to form written letters.
Some of the common signs are:
When learners have difficulties with motor skills associated with writing, it’s often called dyspraxia. Dysgraphia may make it difficult to perform well in academics, and they need additional support.
Even with normal hearing ability, people with auditory processing disorder have difficulty in processing audio information. They may not understand speech, particularly in noisy environments. As they have difficulty in understanding similar sounds, they may not follow directions properly.
The symptoms more commonly noted with auditory processing disorder are:
Standard hearing tests cannot be used to diagnose APD, and specialised tests are necessary. Auditory training, reducing background noise in the environment, and speech therapy may help manage this learning disability.
When the brain can’t process both auditory and written language, the individual may have language processing disorder (LPD). They usually have normal hearing and intelligence, but can’t keep up with conversations or express their thoughts.
People with LPD have struggles with:
Speech therapy and specialised communication strategies can help people with language processing disorder to interact well in the social environment.
Learning disability may also appear as difficulty in understanding non-verbal cues. People with nonverbal learning disability may read and write well, but they struggle with understanding body language, visual-spatial information, and nonverbal communication.
Typically, people with nonverbal learning disabilities show:
Experts diagnose nonverbal learning disability when the verbal IQ is significantly higher than the performance IQ. Without support, children may lose confidence in executing difficult tasks. They may isolate themselves and experience anxiety and depression in relationships.
People may have normal vision, but their brains may not be able to process visual information if they have a visual motor deficit. It shows up as challenges in hand-eye coordination, handwriting, writing, and academic struggles.
The following symptoms may be noted:
Occupational therapy to support sensory processing can help regain confidence. Targeted exercises can be useful in improving eye tracking and visual identification.
School-going children are often diagnosed with learning disabilities as they become more pronounced in kids who perform poorly at school. It’s possible for parents to identify the indicators of learning disabilities to help their child thrive. Watch out for the following signs:
While these signs don’t automatically mean that the child has learning disabilities, they may be indicative. Children with learning disabilities often show behavioural changes or frustration because even though they have the intelligence, they can’t cope well with academics. Over time, this can lower their self-esteem and overwhelm them. They need support and early interventions targeted to help their understanding.
Learning disability services in Wolverhampton offer structured support and tailored interventions based on an individual’s unique needs. Experts work with parents and children with learning disabilities to identify the right support they need. They create daily activity plans with behavioural support for the child to navigate academics. Professionals also offer social engagement support and sensory processing assistance to build confidence and skills. With a calm and focused approach, these services can empower students with learning disabilities to believe in their potential and discover their strengths.
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