Many children struggle, in and out of school, with the effects of a learning disability. The U.S. Department of Education said, in 1995, that 4% of all school aged children received the benefits of a special education program because of a learning disability. This percentage does not include the number of children that go undiagnosed. There are many different types of learning disabilities. Learn more about common learning disabilities in children.
Learning Disabilities That Affect Reading and Writing: Dyslexia and Dysgraphia
Learning disabilities that affect different aspects of language such as reading and writing are common. One well known disability of this type is dyslexia. Dyslexia affects a child's ability to read, write, spell and even speak. Dyslexia may make it hard for someone to recognize words and letters, understand the meaning of words and phrases, read with speed and fluency or develop basic vocabulary skills.
Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing. It can affect a child's ability to physically write letters and words. Handwriting may be messy and inconsistent and spelling may also not show consistency. Dysgraphia can also make it hard for someone to mentally write, meaning that he or she cannot form ideas or sentences in his or her head and then transform them into physical words. Learning disabilities that affect reading and writing can make school work very difficult.
Learning Disability That Affects Math Skills: Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia can make it difficult for kids to recognize numbers and operation signs such as plus or minus. They also may not be able to grasp math concepts and facts such as two plus two always equals four and five multiplied by five always equals twenty-five. It may be hard for them to count by two's, five's, ten's and so on. It will also be a challenge for those with dysgraphia to complete simple tasks that involve telling time or counting money.
Learning Disability That Affects Fine Motor Skills: Dyspraxia
Fine motor skills involve small movements and coordination. For example, cutting and writing are both fine motor skills that are often necessary in school. Dyspraxia inhibits the proper use of these vital skills. Children who have trouble with simple activities that require hand-eye coordination, like buttoning a shirt, may be suffering with dyspraxia or another learning disability that affects fine motor skills.
Visual and Auditory Processing Disabilities
Some learning disabilities affect a person's ability to process information that they see or hear. Those with auditory processing disabilities find it difficult to understand the differences between sounds that they hear. This can negatively affect reading, writing and understanding instructions.
Those with visual processing disabilities find it difficult to read maps, symbols, chart, and pictures and to interpret any information that they receive visually. Like and auditory processing disability, this affects the way that they read, write and do math.
Children with these common learning disabilities need help and support from parents and teachers. Identifying the problem and then working together to fix it will make it possible for all children to receive the successful education that they deserve.
Sources:
HelpGuide.org. "Learning Disabilities in Children" (accessed October 7, 2010).
Family Education. "About Learning Disabilities" (accessed October 7, 2010).
Sydnye Isabella Helu - Sydnye Helu is an artist with a love for words and the beauty they have the power to create when side by side.
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