The Importance of Identifying If a Child Has a Learning Difficulty, Learning Disability or Dyslexia

Recent study by The International Dyslexia Association states that 74% of students who are weak readers in 3rd grade remain weak readers in the 9th grade. Several students still don't read well even as grown- ups. However, it is certainly not too late for individuals with learning difficulties, learning disabilities, or dyslexia to learn to read, process, and express details and information more effectively. I have seen it first-hand. Even 50 a year old can enhance their abilities. In fact, those adults that have had strokes have been able to restore some of their cognitive abilities once they knew exactly what the fundamental areas were that the stroke impacted.

Determining what your student's learning problems are and working with them is crucial because if they go unidentified and unaddressed, students may spend their school years either feeling stupid, struggling with their schoolwork, or disliking school. They may feel that their work is never going to be good enough so they stop striving. They may seem to stare off into space, not attending to instruction. They may regularly interrupt the class. Eventually, they may not be able to get into the college of their choice or get the job of their choice.

The Most Common type of Learning Disability: Language Learning Disability

Language learning disabilities are disorders that affect one's ability to either interpret what is observed or link information coming from different parts of the brain.

Difficulties with linking information throughout the brain can show up in a variety of ways. There can be certain difficulties with spoken and written language, coordination, self-control, or attention. Such difficulties extend to schoolwork and can impede learning to read, write, or do math.

How We Learn

The best way to talk about learning disabilities is to discuss about learning. We learn 3 ways, by seeing (visual processing), hearing, and (auditory processing) and doing (tactile/kinesthetic processing). Within each of these 3 categories there are 9 sub-categories of processing. Generally when one is struggling with learning reading, writing, or math it is due to one or more of these sub-categories of processing not working as efficiently as they could, should, and can. These skills are all learned and can easily be enhanced.

There is a simple way for you as a parent or teacher to find out if your child has learning problems, dyslexia, or learning disabilities. Using the informal assessment, the Learning Disability Screening Tool, gives you the ability to identify the fundamental causes of learning problems. With this knowledge and understanding about your child's learning problems, you become the 'expert' on your child. You will know what has been holding your child back. You can now be pro-active and deal with your child's learning difficulties, learning disabilities, or dyslexia.

Bonnie Terry, M. Ed., BCET

Bonnie Terry, M. Ed., BCET is a LD Specialist. Ms. Terry helps parents identify, understand, & address the underlying causes of their child's learning problems. Dyslexic, LD and ADHD kids advance 2-4 years in 20 minutes a day with Ms. Terry's books, games, and guides http://bonnieterrylearning.com/.

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