Some children tend to struggle to learn at school. This is often misunderstood as a ‘lack of intelligence’ or motivation to study. The chances are that the child is suffering from a learning disorder. Learning disorders prevent one from learning a specific skill- however basic or complicated it may be-and using it effectively in one’s daily life. A UNESCO report states that 10-12% of the Indian school-going population is likely to have a learning disorder. To understand how therapy can help with learning disorders, contact the best psychologist in Delhi-NCR, Hope- The Psychology Clinic.
Learning disorders are difficulties in processing information that can cause a setback in the child’s development. Such processing difficulties can include reading, writing, reasoning, numerical problems/ mathematics, and verbal and non-verbal skills. Here are some signs of learning disorders in children:
- The child has not yet begun speaking/reading/writing at the expected age or class.
- Struggles to understand and follow instructions.
- They cannot often remember what someone has just told them.
- The child lacks coordination in walking.
- The child does not have basic skills like holding a pencil.
- The child acts out or severely resists when asked to do classwork or homework, including numbers, writing, or reading.
Parents and teachers are usually the first to notice such irregularities in learning abilities. If you do sense these difficulties in your child, make sure to contact the best clinical psychologist, Hope- The Psychology Clinic. Some children may also act out to avoid bringing attention to their difficulties. These signs and symptoms must be considered with caution. Children might struggle with academics, verbal and non-verbal activities and others for a variety of reasons which may not always allude to a disability. Nevertheless, it is important to not to pressure your child into performing more than they are capable of. The responsibility to make the child feel safe and at ease falls upon the parents. Giving them love and support can help them learn social skills much better.
Some common learning disabilities include dyslexia, ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and Dyspraxia.
Dyslexia: This is a language-based disability that affects speaking and reading/ writing abilities. Children with dyslexia cannot fluently read and write. Dyslexia can manifest itself in different ways, namely phonological, visual and rapid naming dyslexia.
ADHD: Children with ADHD find it difficult to focus on a task. They are easily distracted and might be hyperactive. Children who do not exhibit hyperactivity might have Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD, which may cause them to forget or lose things often. They struggle to stay organized and finish a given task. Children who have a hyperactivity disorder may never be able to sit still.
Dysgraphia: This disorder makes it difficult for the child to perform the physical act of writing. The child might take an unnaturally long time to learn how to grip a pencil. They may not be able to write in legible handwriting with consistent capitalization and spacing
Dyscalculia: This disorder hinders a child’s mathematical capabilities. A child with dyscalculia may not understand basic mathematical concepts and the concept of time.
Dyspraxia: Dyspraxia causes a child to not be able to coordinate physical movements. Their hand-eye coordination may be off-mark by a significant degree. Dyspraxia is further of three kinds: ideomotor, oromotor, and ideational.
Seeking help for such disorders at an early stage is crucial. A child who is unable to read sentences today will perform poorly in school, leading to them growing up with performance anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, and a shallow sense of self-esteem.
During the initial stage of treatment, vision, hearing, and other medical tests might be performed on the child to rule out any other health concerns. It is essential for a child with a learning disorder to begin therapy which will help them understand themselves and learn to deal with the disorder better. Therapy in such cases might not just be for the child but also for the entire family to help them learn how to be patient with their child and make things easier for them.
Therapy can help the child believe in themselves and feel comfortable with who they are. They can help restore confidence and faith in the child and their family for their future.
Therapists provide children with a safe space where they do not feel judged or afraid. During sessions, children may talk about their feelings and thoughts and the therapist may do activities with the child to teach them coping mechanisms. They may also help children learn new skills like self-control, coping with loss, following instructions, and listening patiently.
To seek the best and trusted therapy for your child, reach out to Hope-The Psychology Clinic Faridabad.
Charu Aganpal
Hope-The Psychology Clinic
2142, Sector 28, HBC
Near Geeta Hospital, Faridabad
To book your appointment:
Call/message- 9999409435
