Lets talk about Specific Learning Disabilities

Let’s talk about Specific Learning Disabilities in children…

The Reality

Children with learning disabilities are often intelligent, articulate, and full of potential. However, their brains process information in ways that are different – not wrong, just different. These differences can affect how they read, write, spell, or do math, and can show up despite their best efforts.

The Challenge For Adults

Understandably, this can be confusing for parents and teachers. A child who is curious, speaks well, and shows interest in the world might still struggle with schoolwork. It’s easy to mistake these struggles for a lack of motivation, laziness, or even defiance. But that’s far from the truth.

The Child’s Experience

For the child, this mismatch between their abilities and academic expectations can lead to frustration, low self-esteem, and emotional distress. Many children with learning differences start to believe that they’re “not smart enough” or that something is “wrong” with them – when really, they just learn differently.

What are Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)?

Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) are lifelong differences in how the brain processes information. These differences can affect skills such as reading, writing, spelling, coordination, or math. Importantly, SLDs are not caused by poor teaching, low intelligence, vision or hearing problems, or lack of effort.

Types of Learning Disabilities

It helps to know the different types of SLDs so that we can understand the child’s needs better:

• Dyslexia: Affects reading, spelling, and how letters or sounds are processed. A child might reverse letters, read slowly, or struggle with phonics.
• Dysgraphia: Impacts handwriting, spelling, and written expression. The child may write very slowly or find it hard to organize their thoughts on paper.
• Dyscalculia: Affects understanding numbers, math operations, and spatial awareness. A child may struggle with time, measurement, or basic calculations.
• Dyspraxia: Impacts motor coordination and planning movements. It can also affect organization, memory, and sometimes speech.

What are signs of Specific Learning Disabilities?

Some early signs of learning disabilities may include:

• May face challenges in following multi-step instructions
• May face challenges with remembering what was just said
• May avoid reading or writing tasks
• May face challenges with fine motor tasks like using scissors or holding a pencil
• May face challenges with understanding math concepts or recognizing patterns

That said, every child is unique. Having a few of these signs doesn’t always mean a child has an SLD. It’s important to observe patterns and seek a professional assessment when needed.

What can parents and teachers do?

• Be curious, not critical. If a child is struggling, try asking: What’s getting in the way of their learning right now? rather than assuming they aren’t trying hard enough.
• Create safe spaces for learning. Children with SLDs may need more time or different methods. Reducing pressure, allowing breaks, and offering emotional validation goes a long way.
• Use strengths to support learning. For example, a child who loves drawing may enjoy visual tools like mind maps or illustrations to remember concepts.
• Celebrate small wins. Progress may not always be linear. Encouragement and positive reinforcement matter more than we think.
  

Each child may show signs of more than one of these challenges, and no two children experience these differences in the same way.

Home support strategies

Empower caregivers with small, manageable tools:

• Break tasks into smaller steps
• Use visual schedules or timers
• Encourage movement breaks during study
• Offer choices (e.g. “Do you want to start with math or reading?”)
• Use audiobooks or voice typing if reading/writing is hard

Collaborating with schools

Encourage open communication with educators:

• Schedule regular check-ins with teachers or special educators
• Share insights about what works well for your child
• Ask if the school offers accommodations like extra time, oral exams, or alternative assessments
• Request a psychoeducational assessment through the school, if available

NOTE: As you check for signs of learning disabilities in your child, please understand that these signs may vary from child to child. Every child is unique. No child will definitely exhibit all the signs. However, you can check if multiple signs described in the presentation above  match your child’s learning style, and seek professional guidance to assess your child for a learning disability. Take a moment also to explore and learn about other Learning Disabilities such as Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia and Dysgraphia.

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. Our counsellors speak different languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this guide is for information purposes only. Please consult a qualified health practitioner for proper guidance.