For the month of April I am participating in the annual A-Z Blogging Challenge. The Challenge was started by author/blogger, Arlee Byrd. http://tossingitout.blogspot.com
Each day of the month (except Sundays) we will post something based on that days correlating letter. Some of us chose a theme and others are winging it. My theme is the A-to-Z’s of Mental Health, Raising Awareness. It is a topic that is very close to my heart. I hope you find the posts interesting and you will comment and share the posts everywhere. To see a complete list of the participants or for more information-click on the badge over there to the right>
Today’s letter is the letter L
Learning Disorders
Learning Disorders refer to one or more psychological processes that help one understand, listen, think, hear, speak, read, write, spell and to do math. Learning Disorders are relatively common and affects four to six percent of the public school population.
If a child has vision problems, hearing difficulties, motor skills disabilities, mental retardation or emotional disturbances these are not considered learning disorders. However it is possible for a child to have one of these disabilities and also have a learning disorder.
Cultural, environmental and economic disadvantages to learning are not learning disorders.
Types of disorders
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing, which requires a complex set of motor and information processing skills. It can lead to problems with spelling, poor handwriting and putting thoughts on paper. People with dysgraphia might have trouble organizing letters, numbers and words on a line or page.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia refers to a wide range of lifelong learning disabilities involving math. There is no single type of math disability. Dyscalculia can vary from person to person, and it affects people differently at different stages of life.
Executive Function
Many people with Learning Disorders struggle with executive function. Executive Function makes activities like planning, organizing, remembering details and managing time and space difficult. Problems with executive function—a set of mental processes that helps connect past experience with present action—can be seen at any age and often contribute to the challenges individuals with Learning Disorders face.
ADHD
Children diagnosed with ADHD have problems paying attention or concentrating. They do not follow directions, become bored and are frustrated easily. They move constantly, are impulsive and do not think before they act.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders are not the same thing, but ADHD can interfere with learning and behaviour. One-third of people with learning disorders have ADHD.
Giftedness
It is possible for a child who has a learning disorder to also be gifted. These children face a different kind of challenge. The exceptional talent could easily overshadow a learning disorder in another area.
People with learning disorders can be taught strategies for coping with their disabilities. Getting help earlier increases the chance for success in school and later in life. Untreated, learning disorders can cause a child to feel frustrated which can lead to low self-esteem and/or depression.
Experts will work to help a child learn skills by building on the child’s strengths and developing ways to compensate for the child’s weaknesses.
Interventions vary depending on the nature and extent of the disability.
Parents should seek help from trusted sources. There are many businesses offering cures for learning disorders, most of them are scams.
Learning disorders are life-long and can affect adults too.
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18 thoughts on “Learning Disorders”
We was just told our son may be Dyslexic and they can not test him till next year as it is to late in the school year which I hate. I wish they would just do it and give me some stuff to work on over the Summer as I would feel better.
Good luck with your son. Maybe his doctor can help with suggestions for activities over the summer.
Doreen,
I am so touched by your post. Not because I have a son or family with learning disorder but because it contains such information which could help a lot of people back in my country where the tendency is to attribute any such disorders to witchcraft.
Thanks for this, an atozer at http://myeverydaypersonal.blogspot.be/
It makes me so sad that such things as learning disorders are still so misunderstood. We must keep spreading the word.
TheHubs has some sort of “learning disorder” though he was never diagnosed. His brother and sister were. Sight readers? Not sure what the actual name is. If he’s never seen a word before, he can’t pronounce it. And his spelling is horrible. He thinks, because of this, he’s not very smart. But he IS!
TheBoy is gifted. We haven’t run into any problems like his father. Thank goodness. But, I do realize that his attention span, his willingness to do work, is not very strong. I have to “force” him to do his homework. It’s frustrating. But he’s so smart. He could get it all done in no time. He just doesn’t see it that way. Hopefully, he will soon! 🙂
Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
My A to Z
Caring for My Veteran
Having raised 5 kids and with 13 grandkids trust me none of them want to sit still for homework. That is 100%normal. I am not a fan of homework until they reach highschool except for maybe some reading or studying.
I’ve known some people who were diagnosed as dyslexic. They may not think or do things the way I do, but they have some brilliant ideas I’d love to steal. Also I’ve come to believe I have number dyslexia. I can get words down the way my language requires, but when I deal with numbers, I have to triple check that I have them right. I might write 21332 as 12233. Makes a huge difference, especially in a checkbook.
I have the same problem with numbers. It can be frustrating.
I think I have typing dyslexia. I often type words backwards. Infuriating to say the least.
I think, in my experience, ADHD is too easily blamed for bad behaviour.
I agree. It is used too often as an excuse for bad behaviour that is a direct result of lazy parenting.
A few years ago I worked as a coordinator for the local children’s literacy center. I saw numerous kiddos who were quite gifted but found reading nearly impossible. And very frustrating for them and their parents.
Important post, Doreen. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much Lisa.
It is unfortunate that due to lack if awareness, kids with learning disorders are misunderstood and often forced to behave differently. Sharing this! And keep doing the good work!
Thank you Aditi.
You’ve made me wonder about my son and the Executive Disorder. Does anyone know what causes this? Very informative blog you have here. Thank you. Also appreciate you visiting my blog and commenting!
The causes are unknown but it is possible to overcome it.
This is such an informative and insightful post, Doreen!
Awareness about such learning disabilities is so very much needed in our society so that the timely and right teaching methods can be used for these special children!
Thank you Shilpa, I agree, these children deserve the best we can give them.