Early warning signs of a learning disability
Children generally learn at different rates and with different styles. However, if your little one struggles in areas where the majority of same-aged kids don’t, there is a chance that your child has a learning disability.
A child with a learning disability usually has normal intelligence. In some cases, it may even be above normal. However, a learning disability hinders a child’s ability to articulate their knowledge and express themselves.
They may easily recite the alphabet from A to Z, but when asked to name individual letters, he or she struggles. A child with a learning disability may also understand a story when read to them, but will not know how to answer questions about the story afterwards.
Learning disabilities are usually grouped into three categories: problems with reading, writing or maths, speech or language issues and issues with motor skills, memory or coordination.
Some learning disabilities like dyslexia or dyscalculia are more obvious than others, but, when a child has a couple of disorders, the learning disability is harder to identify.
Here are some of the signs that indicate a learning disability in toddlers:
- Delayed speech
- Problems with pronunciation
- Poor focus
- Inability to follow directions
- Poor grasp of pencils, pens or crayons
- Difficulty developing vocabulary
- Difficulty learning to read
- Trouble learning basic things such as numbers, the alphabet, days of the week, or colors and shapes
- Difficulty with buttoning, zipping, and tying
Since children don’t learn at the same rate, it can be hard to diagnose the disability. Teachers can easily spot the early signs of a learning disability, so if your child’s teacher hasn’t mentioned anything to you, don’t be afraid to let them know you are concerned.
Even though learning disabilities are permanent, early intervention can make a big difference to your child’s academic career, as long as you learn how to work around the issue.
Remember, positive thoughts and encouragement are what will keep your child going, so remind your little one that he or she is loved and don’t stop showing continuous support.