Learning disabilities in children of school age

Often, even before the child's birth parents are beginning to dream what he will become. When years later, it appears that the child suffers from learning disabilities and can not achieve much in life, it becomes for them a heavy blow.

Some parents blame themselves, while others refuse to recognize the problem and place the responsibility on schools and teachers. However, the causes of learning disabilities is actually unknown.

Such parental behavior is understandable. In the end, it just makes them look for ways to help your child.

Prevalence

According to some reports, the number of children with learning disabilities is about 5% of the total number of pupils.

Definition

Learning disabilities - is a broad concept that applies to children with different problems: some people can not master reading, writing or oral expression, numeracy, logic, someone can not control his behavior. At the examination and monitoring of such children show unstable, unpredictable results. They are a violation of perception and attention, motor problems and behavioral problems. Children with learning disabilities are often impulsive and have difficulty in communicating.

Causes

The exact causes of learning disabilities is unknown. The main reason, apparently, are small irregularities in the functioning of the brain. There is something like a "short circuit", in which information is not received where you want.

Important role played by heredity. Studies have shown that if parents suffer learning disabilities, the same difficulties are common and children. Often, however, learning disabilities, children born into families where there has been no such problems.

Play a role, and external factors. Learning disabilities in children may be associated with the use of female drug and alcohol use during pregnancy. Its development contribute to lead poisoning, poor nutrition and low birth weight.

To establish the causes of disorders need further investigation. However, today it is known that children with learning disabilities often differ sharp intellect, leadership qualities, athletic, musical, artistic talent. The earlier identified learning disabilities, the greater the likelihood that a child will cope with the difficulties that await him and after school.

Main features

Parents - the first and best teachers of their children, and they often exhibit signs of learning disabilities. There is no exact set of symptoms, but some features should be noted.

In preschool

* The child begins to talk later than other children
* In need speech therapy
* Very slowly gaining vocabulary, difficulty finding the right word
* The hard-remember letters, numbers, colors, days of the week
* Easily distracted, unable to concentrate and follow the instructions teacher
* Poor possesses fine motor skills

In kindergarten and preparatory classes of school

* The difficulty in understanding the relationship between letters and sounds
* Often confuses simple words
* Blunder at reading and writing, rearranges the letters in words
* Mixes up the orders in the numbers (a sequence of digits), and mathematical symbols
* The hard-remember facts and learn new skills
* Awkward to hold a pen or pencil
* Often behaves impulsively, unable to plan their actions
* Has difficulty with the definition of time
* Suffers from poor coordination of movements, often gets into trouble

In elementary school

* With some difficulty reading and refuses to read aloud
* The difficulty in understanding the verbal content of mathematical problems
* Poor wrote, clumsily using a pencil
* Sure allocation suffixes, prefixes, roots and other parts of speech
* Poor memorizes material
* With some difficulty making friends
* Has low self-esteem
* Gets the worst mark for the control of work and on exams

In high school

* There is still poorly wrote
* Can not identify the main idea in the text and make a summary
* Poor remembers
* Executes the task very slowly or does not pay attention to details, or, by contrast, stuck to them
* Poor perceive changes and difficulty adapting to them
* Avoid anything that is associated with reading and writing
* Not able to learn abstract material
* Improperly reading comprehension

Survey of children with signs of learning disabilities

If teachers or parents suspect that a child suffers from learning disabilities, you will first need to confirm this assessment. There are special medico-pedagogical commission. The initiator of the survey may be made by doctors, parents, carers or teachers. But in any case require the consent of parents.

Ways of testing the child very much. It depends on the age and symptoms. At the first meeting of the Commission are invited, along with the child of parents. At this point, all family members are usually frightened and confused. It is better to prepare for the meeting and write down questions that I would like to discuss. Do not be afraid to clarify the meaning of the responses, if the experts use obscure terms.

Types of violations associated with learning disabilities, very much. Accordingly, for diagnosis using different techniques. Comprehensive survey begins with a medical examination to exclude disorders of vision or hearing. Then connect other specialists. Usually in the survey include:

* Talk with your child and monitor his behavior
* Study the history of the disease
* Talk with parents (information obtained from the parents, most important, because they know the child from birth and may provide important information about its development)
* Psychological testing, it usually carries a psychologist or neuropsychiatrist
* Study maps of psycho-pedagogical observation (assessment of the level of socialization)
* Assessment of speech development, the conclusion of a speech therapist
* Assessment of fine motor skills and sensory perception
* Assessment of large motor skills, muscle tone and coordination of movements

The survey is aimed at to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the child and understand that he can learn and where it is difficult. The information will be decisive in choosing the optimal conditions for its further study.

Development plan for learning disabilities

At the final meeting of the Medico-pedagogical commission each specialist makes its conclusion and proposes measures to correct symptoms of learning disabilities. Parents were present and actively participate in this process.

Learning disabilities, children often see themselves as stupid or lazy. In developing a program of assistance such guys need to pay attention to their strengths and talents. Should explain to the child that learning disabilities does not mean that he can not learn, it simply must be taught differently than other children.

Best of all, when the correction classes exist in a normal school. In this case the child does not get the feeling of alienation from peers. However, sometimes it is optimal to transfer to a special school.

Parent - the best defender of the interests of their child, but it needs to be well informed, is found more often with teachers and other professionals. Discuss the progress of the child. Parents have the right to examine any documents relating to their son or daughter. Correctional education is governed by the laws that you should always consider.

Following are the most common manifestations of learning disabilities.

Attention Deficit Disorder and / or hyperactivity. This is a neurological disorder that begins in early childhood and often persists into adulthood. The inability to control their behavior and actions. Diagnosis is neurologist.

Violation of language skills. Language learning is associated with two abilities: to understand spoken or read and be able to express their thoughts orally or in writing. If a child has a problem with the expression of his thoughts, it becomes apparent when he begins to speak. Problems with understanding is not so obvious. Children may also be difficulties with abstract thinking or finding suitable words. If you suspect that a child's problem is with language skills, it can be clarified with the help of special tests.

Difficulties with reading. Children may have difficulties in understanding, analysis and retelling of the text. A general term that is used to refer to these problems - dyslexia. Corrective actions are selected individually. These children often also face difficulties in counting, writing, etc.

A few words in support of "learning disabilities" children

Is clear that children with learning disabilities feel flawed. Increase their self-esteem - an important challenge for teachers and parents.

Not be obsessed with the inferiority of the Child underlines and better develop its strengths. Help him find an interesting hobby. Classes in music, art, visiting drama group, sports team and other group sessions will give your child a chance to prove themselves.

Know your rights. Stay up to date news related to correctional education. Unite with other parents who can provide help and support. And most importantly - do not give up. Investigations are continuing problems, and it gives parents and children hope for the best.
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