‘Childhood’ is the period of life where your child learns many skills such as speaking, listening, reading, writing, calculation (math) to name a few. Your child may pick up some of these skills easily and some may be harder and take longer time to learn. Or sometimes, your child may not be on par with their skills as compared to other children of the same age. This does not mean that your child is less motivated or lacks understanding, it simply means that your child sees,  understands, and pursues things differently which may be medically grouped into a single term called learning disorder or learning disability. 

In this health article, let us explore more on what is a learning disability, what are the common learning disabilities, and how to identify if your child has learning disability/disabilities. 

What is a learning disability?

A learning disability is a medical term that encompasses a range of differences in your child’s  thinking and learning ability, and the ability to follow or perform instructions. Although the specific cause for learning disability remains undetermined, these differences and difficulties can occur due to multiple factors including,

  • the child having a parent or any other family member with a similar disability
  • other risk factors that may include (but not restricted to) premature birth, low birth weight and prematurity, illness during infancy or early childhood (example - meningitis, lead poisoning, etc) or an injury example - head injury)

What are some common learning disabilities?

Learning disabilities could be specific (such as inability to read, write, etc.) or it could be due to some other associated conditions (such as autism, hearing loss, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder - ADHD). The common learning disabilities and the associated difficulty are as listed below:

  • Dyslexia - difficulty in reading
  • Dysgraphia - difficulty in writing
  • Dyscalculia - difficulty with calculation (math)
  • Dyspraxia - motor function problems (problems with activities requiring coordinated movements)
  • Dysphasia/aphasia - difficulty with speech and language
  • Auditory processing disorder - problem with hearing
  • Visual processing disorder - issues with the way brain processes visuals

How to identify learning disabilities in children?

The learning disabilities in children can be categorized according to the age groups:

Learning disabilities in children aged 2.5 to 5 years

  • Difficulty pronouncing words or finding the right words
  • Problems with learning alphabets, numbers, and rhymes
  • Problems identifying colors and shapes
  • Inability to remember days of the week
  • Motor coordination problems such as holding and using pencils and crayons,  and difficulty with buttons, zippers or shoe laces

Learning disabilities in children aged 5 to 9 years

  • Difficulty following instructions (example - direction, routines, etc.)
  • Difficulty in understanding connection between sounds and letters
  • Confusion with basic words while reading and similar appearing letters while writing
  • Consistent spelling errors
  • Slow to pick up new skills and facts or remember information
  • Trouble understanding basic math concepts
  • Trouble reading the time

Learning disabilities in children aged 10 to 13 years

  • Difficulty following routine - organizing desk/bedroom, managing homework
  • Disinterest in reading and writing
  • Poor handwriting
  • Trouble expressing thoughts verbally or in writing

Why is identifying and correction of learning disabilities in children essential?

Identifying learning disabilities in children is very essential. A child with a learning disability may face challenges, peer pressure, or underperform at school. Failing to identify the learning disabilities at the earliest and getting the necessary help for your child to overcome them, may result in a significant psychological impact on the growth and development of your child. 

Who can help with your child’s learning disabilities?

You can make a note on the symptoms and consult a physician or a pediatrician for your child’s learning disabilities. These health care providers will analyze the symptoms and help your child overcome their learning disabilities. Alternatively, if the physician or the pediatrician feels the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach, they may refer you to the concerned specialist such as neurologist, psychologist, or a psychiatrist.

Disclaimer: The content (video/text) presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.