Does your child have learning disability? What can you do about it?
The term learning disability (ld) also called as learning disorder, is used to describe a group of conditions in which a person’s ability to understand or use spoken or written language or perform mathematical calculation is impaired in spite of normal vision, IQ and hearing. The exact cause of there disorders is not known. Genetic factor is strongly suspected as it runs in families. The condition should be suspected whenever a child fails to perform well at school, even with adequate environmental stimulation. It is very important to rule out any visual problem or mild hearing impairment before making the diagnosis and also to assess the IQ of the child. It may be surprising to know that some have even above average IQ. Some famous people who had learning disability are Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein and John F. Kennedy.
This condition is estimated to affect about five to ten percent of population. It is important for parents to be aware of this condition as otherwise they tend to blame the child for being lazy and not doing as well as he could do. It may be a little difficult for normal people to understand this condition. Perhaps the following example will help. A child with one type of learning disability can correctly identify letters. For example if you show the letters C, A and T separately he can identify them. But put the letters together and ask him to read. He will not be able to understand. He may have no difficulty in recognizing a cat once be has been shown one and told what it is.
Confusion about direction: Some children with learning disability have difficulty in identifying right and left sides. They may get confused if they are asked to lift their left hand or leg. The word Dyslexia is used to describe difficulty in reading. Some children suffer from a condition called letter reversal. They write b as d and 6 as 9. They also reverse the letters in a word and write no as on saw as was. Perhaps their brains interpret the messages from the nerves is a different way. It is extremely important to know that occasional letter reversal may be normal in young children when they are still learning. Only if the condition persists till seven years should LD be suspected. The term Dysgraphia is used to describe difficulty in writing. Such children find it hard to draw letters properly and their hand writing will be extremely difficult to read.
Some children experience difficulty in working out mathematical calculations. This condition is called Dyscalculia. Even basic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division may be too complicated for them. Many such children are good at learning language or may excel in some form of art. All teachers of primary schools should be aware of this condition so that they can inform the parents about children with probable learning disability. Management: Parents should understand that Learning Disability is a life long condition and will not disappear with age. The first step in the management is proper evaluation to identify the nature of the disability and recognize the child’s strength. Management consists mainly of special education. It is necessary for parents, teachers and special educators to work as a team and evolve an Individualized Educational Program for a child. Some children with Learning Disability may be exceptionally talented in sports, music or other forms of art. They should be helped to develop their skill.
Page last reviewed on 19th November 2009
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