Signs Your Child Has a Learning Disability

signs of difficultySome children find themselves continually struggling with school work. This doesn’t mean that they are unintelligent—it simply means there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Anything from ADHD to dyslexia is considered a learning disability, and while these can provide you child with nuisances and distractions when it comes to school, most are completely treatable.

Many students suffer from learning disabilities at a young age, but with the right attention and the right treatment, they are able to diffuse the learning disability and have an easier time with schoolwork.

Learning disabilities are most common throughout the elementary school years. If you think that your child may have a learning disability, you need to look for the following signs.

1. Your child is better at some things more than others.

Most children do tend to favor one subject over another, but if the learning abilities between subjects are on two completely opposite ends of the spectrum—or even if two different tactics in the same subject are on two different spectrums—it could be a sign of a learning disability. For example, if your has trouble reading but it a great speller, it could be a sign that they don’t understand the sounds letters make.

2. Your child cannot read or write at grade level.

Different grades have different reading and writing levels (as well as math) that they should be able to do. For example, first graders may not know how to read and write at first, but by second grade, they should have a better handle on it. If your child has trouble reading or writing (or doing math) at grade level, there could be a reason behind it.

3. They’re constantly frustrated with school work.

If your child doesn’t like talking about school or fights you to do homework, it’s a sign that something is wrong. Most children don’t like homework, but when the aggravation with it is excessive, it could be because they have a hard time reading or comprehending the directions and the assignments.

4. They avoid doing anything education related.

Rather than reading a book, watching an educational program or taking part in educational after school activities, your child finds hobbies and activities that are not related to any type of learning. Instead of playing games where they have to read a card or do a math problem, they opt to color or play video games instead.

5. They have behavioral problems.

If your child starts severely misbehaving, or if your child’s teacher tells you that your child has been acting out in class, it could be a sign that they have a learning disability. Rather than participate in class studies, they act out so that they are sent to the office instead, where they don’t have to do schoolwork.

If your child has a learning disability, there is no reason to worry. You need to get them help by either talking with the teacher or school counselors to allow them to work separately than other students, and you need to take them to the doctor. For certain learning disabilities, there are medications that can help your child stay more focused and improve their concentration and energy levels.

About The Author
Ben Myers is a college English professor.  In his spare time, he studies about learning methods and learning disabilities.  Ben is currently grading a huge stack of Animal Farm essays.

References:-
1. ADHD – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002518/
2. Dyslexia – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002379/

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