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Learning disorders can make it hard for a child to read, write or do simple math. Understand the signs and what you can do. By Mayo Clinic StaffMany children with learning disorders, also called learning disabilities, struggle in school long before being diagnosed. This can affect a child's self-esteem and motivation. Understand how to recognize signs of a learning disorder and what you can do to help your child. What is a learning disorder?A learning disorder is an information-processing problem that prevents a person from learning a skill and using it effectively. Learning disorders generally affect people of average or above average intelligence. As a result, the disorder appears as a gap between expected skills, based on age and intelligence, and academic performance. Common learning disorders affect a child's abilities in reading, written expression, math or nonverbal skills. ReadingLearning disorders in reading are usually based on difficulty perceiving a spoken word as a combination of distinct sounds. This can make it hard to understand how a letter or letters represent a sound and how letter combinations make a word. Problems with working memory — the ability to hold and manipulate information in the moment — also can play a role. Even when basic reading skills are mastered, children may have difficulty with the following skills:
A learning disorder in reading is usually called dyslexia, but some specialists may use the term to describe only some of the information-processing problems that can cause difficulty with reading. Written expressionWriting requires complex visual, motor and information-processing skills. A learning disorder in written expression may cause the following:
MathA learning disorder in math may cause problems with the following skills:
Nonverbal skillsA child with a learning disorder in nonverbal skills appears to develop good basic language skills and strong rote memorization skills early in childhood. Difficulties are present in visual-spatial skills, visual-motor skills, and other skills necessary in social or academic functioning. A child with a learning disorder in nonverbal skills may have trouble with the following skills:
What causes learning disorders?Factors that might influence the development of learning disorders include:
What are the signs of learning disorders?Your child might have a learning disorder if he or she:
Seeking help for learning disordersEarly intervention is essential because the problem can snowball. A child who doesn't learn to add in elementary school won't be able to tackle algebra in high school. Children who have learning disorders can also experience performance anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, chronic fatigue or loss of motivation. Some children might act out to distract attention from their challenges at school. A child's teacher, parents or guardian, doctor, or other professional can request an evaluation if there are concerns about learning problems. Your child will likely first have tests to rule out vision or hearing problems or other medical conditions. Often, a child will have a series of exams conducted by a team of professionals, including a psychologist, special education teacher, occupational therapist, social worker or nurse. The determination of a learning disorder and the need for services are based on the results of tests, teacher feedback, input from the parents or guardians, and a review of academic performance. A diagnosis of severe anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders also might be relevant. These conditions can contribute to delays in developing academic skills. Treatment optionsIf your child has a learning disorder, your child's doctor or school might recommend:
Your child's treatment plan will likely evolve over time. If your child isn't making progress, you can seek additional services or request revisions to an IEP or accommodations. In the meantime, help your child understand in simple terms the need for any additional services and how they may help. Also, focus on your child's strengths. Encourage your child to pursue interests that give him or her confidence. Together, these interventions can improve your child's skills, help him or her develop coping strategies, and use his or her strengths to improve learning in and outside of school. Sign-up to get Mayo Clinic’s trusted health content sent to your email. Receive a bonus guide on ways to manage your child’s health just for subscribing. Email Infant's First Year (0-1) Toddler (2-4) Elementary Children (5-10) Tween & Teen (11-17) To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo
Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Feb. 10, 2022
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