Childhood Learning Disabilities

Every child struggles from time to time at school; they all linger a little too long on homework sometimes, and everyone has failed a test or two. When this happens more often than not, you will probably grow very concerned and start to question your child's ability. You may suspects your child has some sort of learning disability or you may be a parent of a child already diagnosed. Regardless of whether your child has a verified condition or you just suspect that your child is struggling it can feel like a hopeless situation. It may be difficult to imagine, but it is possible to help your child feel normal; but, it's vital to stop ignoring the situation and seek help.

Common symptoms of learning disabilities

Early childhood signs:
Trouble pronouncing words

Difficulty with using the right word

Problems learning how to rhyme and recognizing rhyming words

Disconnection with the surrounding environment

Elementary aged symptoms in children:
Difficulty with phonetics (sounding out words as they are spelled)

Inability to recognize basic words and common words (like “a,” “the,” “you.”...)

Frequent repetitive errors, even after repetitive correction



Older kids may show:
Extreme trouble with math and reading

Inability to answer open ended questions

Avoidance of reading aloud

Lack of organizational skills

Sloppy handwriting


Learning disabilities come in many forms, and each child shows symptoms in a different way. You should schedule a consultation if you suspect that your child is struggling with learning and it is out of their control.


Common learning disabilities:
Dyslexia - affects reading, handwriting, speech, and spelling

Dyscalculia - affects a child's comprehension of numbers, math, time, and counting

Dysgraphia - impacts one's handwriting, organization, and spelling

Dyspraxia - problems with hand eye coordination, manual dexterity, and balance

Dysphasia/Aphasia – problems with communication; inability to understand verbal and written language

ADD/ADHD - inability to focus and concentrate

Autism - trouble with communication, and comprehension of academics, and as social interactions
All of these learning disorders can be addressed with the use of therapies. While most are never truly symptom free, many grow out of the major symptoms. Medication is available, but some nasty side effects may have you seeking alternative treatments.

Be your child's biggest advocate
Your child needs you to be their advocate, especially if they are struggling with a form of learning disability. Do what you know is best for your child, and do not let them slip through the cracks. Far too often, schools will label a child with learning disabilities as being lazy or bad; this only makes things worse. Labeling children negatively gives them a poor self-image and is extremely discouraging. As soon as you suspect a learning disability, talk to your child's pediatrician about testing. They will first test to make sure your child is in good health to rule out anything physical. If your child is diagnosed, try to remember that they are the same kid, but now you can seek out tools to help them.