“The Signs of a Learning Disability“

Learning can be difficult for any child as they advance through grade levels. It is expected that most students will take time to become familiar with different learning material overtime, but the problems don’t resolve for everyone. Children with learning disabilities find it difficult to learn or retain information without progressing. The signs of a learning disability can vary, but it is important to keep an eye out to catch them early. 

Early Signs

While every child and their symptoms can differ, the most common signs displayed are short attention span, bad memory, difficulty in following directions, and struggling with reading/writing.

It might be hard to maintain focus in school, due to the child being easily distracted. This will result in falling behind in class and poor grades. In other situations, your child may listen very well, but could have a poor memory and will struggle to retain learning material. It might be hard for some children to follow directions all together, which can be confused with behavioral problems. Often, children with learning disabilities will have trouble reading and writing, or figuring out mathematical sequences. These signs can portray a student as uncooperative and poorly behaved, but discovering a learning disability will improve both their learning experience and gain the understanding of educators.

Characteristics 

Behavior in a child with a learning disability can also vary, but can often show helpful signs to expedite professional help. No one likes change, but a child with a learning disability will react poorly and find it difficult to adjust. They might be difficult to discipline, have trouble speaking maturely, and struggle to understand new concepts. While these characteristics can be frustrating for teachers or caregivers, it is important to keep in mind that these disabilities cause the child frustration as well. To assist them in learning to the best of our ability, we must accommodate their needs. 

A child having a learning disability isn’t the end of their academic world, but it is necessary to find them a specialized plan before excelling them any further in school.  At Geo Psychological Testing, we specialize in psychological evaluations. Through careful evaluation, we can provide referrals for treatments and recommendations for academic accommodations. Interested in learning more? Contact us today!