Risk Factor Articles: Learning Disabilities

Learning Disabilities in Children (January 2012). Kemp, Gina M.A., Segal, Jeanne Ph.D. Retrieved on February 15, 2012 from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/learning_disabilities.htm

This article explains what learning disabilities and disorders are and what the symptoms look like in children through various ages and grade levels. This article contains a wealth of information that is beneficial to parents, caregivers, and teachers. This article also looks at the different types of learning disabilities and disorders as well as other disorders that are often mistaken for learning disabilities. According to this article "learning disabilities, or learning disorders, are an umbrella term for a wide variety of learning problems. A learning disability is not a problem with intelligence or motivation." This article encourages parents to find support if they think that their child may have a problem and provides a checklist of common symptoms or red flags for learning disorders.

From preschool thru 8th grade children can face a myriad of struggles with learning which can lead to frustration and stress in the child. One of the most important steps in identifying learning disorders in children is "paying attention to normal developmental milestones for toddlers and preschoolers." (Kemp, Segal) If parents suspect a problem they can request an evaluation or ask their pediatrician for a developmental milestones chart. This article also identifies each learning disability by subject matters in school. Dyslexia is associated with learning disabilities in reading. Dyscalculia is associated with disabilities in math. Writing disabilities are known as dysgraphia. Other types of learning disabilities and disorders are dyspraxia which is associated with learning disabilities in motor skills. Aphasia/Dysphasia is associated with learning disabilities in language. ADHD and Autism are other disorders that can make learning difficult although they are not classified as learning disabilities or disorders. Also this article looks at ear and eye disorders (auditory processing disorder and visual processing disorder) that also affect learning in children.

This article would be very beneficial to parents because it points out the fact that there is hope for children with learning disabilities. Understanding the brain is key to understanding learning disorders. It offers ways for getting help for children with learning disabilities. Parents should "read and learn about your child's type of learning disability and find out how the disability affects the learning process and what cognitive skills are involved." (Kemp, Segal) Although this article does not look at risk factors or causes of learning disabilities it is very beneficial because it helps parents understand what the symptoms for learning disabilities are. After reading this article parents and teachers will understand what atypical developmental symptoms of learning disorders are so that they can intervene and get help for their children early. "You may experience some frustration trying to work with your child, and it can seem like an uphill battle when you don't have the information you need." (Kemp, Segal)