DYSLEXIA AND OTHER LEARNING PROBLEMS
Written by Caroline Meyer
Dyslexia is often used in reference to learning problems, but it is not so cut and dried. Dyslexia can affect kids of various intelligence levels. It relates to having issues with processing language the way most people do. They cannot break the words done into component sounds. This also results in problems with writing about the sounds that make up the words. The language is not translated to thought or vice versa. More than 10% of the population suffers from some form of dyslexia.
Some of the warning signs in children around 2 to 4 years include: not being able to recognize their own names, not being able to recognize letters, have limited vocabulary, have difficulty with rhymes even in familiar nursery rhymes or have difficulty saying some words and may switch words for ones that sound similar.
In children 5 to 6 the learning disability may show up as an inability to name colours or items or it takes them time to say the words. They cannot differentiate sounds that make up words (the phonics) and are unable to write out the consonants they hear in the words correctly.
From 6 to 8 you may notice that they have problems learning, pronouncing and remembering new words. They tend not to be reading at the same level as classmates and struggle putting together the sounds that make up different words. They may also avoid reading out loud or even all together. When new words show up they are unable to sound them out and battle to work out the words.
After they reach grade 3, children with dyslexia may withdraw and even exhibit disruptive behaviour in class. They will take guesses at words that they don’t know and have problems comprehending what they are reading. If you think your child may have dyslexia, it is important to seek help as soon as possible. The earlier a child is diagnosed, the sooner they can be helped to stay on track with their peers. The longer a child struggles with dyslexia, the more likely it is to lead to frustration, self-esteem issues and behaviour problems. It may also lead to long term literacy issues.
Children with dyslexia can learn to read and write and learn at the same levels as their peers but they learn in different ways. There are specific teaching methods that can help a child with dyslexia learn to read and speak with confidence. If one way isn’t working, you can try a different way until you find a way that works for your child. This may also mean special education and discussing with your child’s teacher about methods of teaching your child.
While Dyslexia is a problem with language, writing and reading, difficulty with maths is known as Dyscalculia. This refers to problems with actual maths but also relates to telling the time and using money. Dysgraphia is related to issues with spelling, handwriting and organizing ideas. Dyspraxia refers to issues with fine motor skills which include: balance, hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. Difficult with understanding spoken language as well as poor reading comprehension could be Aphasia/Dysphasia. This may also be related to Auditory Processing Disorder which is related to problems with hearing differences between sounds. This can also carry over into problems understanding language, reading and comprehension. Visual Processing Disorder is when the child has problems interpreting visual information. They may show problems with maths, reading, symbols, charts and pictures.
Not all learning problems are related to a learning disability. Children may suffer from illnesses such as Autism and ADHD that can make learning a challenge. Problems at home, depression, anxiety, stress and emotional trauma can also negatively affect their ability to learn effectively.
There is help for children that suffer from learning disabilities. This is why it is also imperative to diagnose learning disabilities as early as possible. The brain can learn to think in different ways in order to enable the child to learn in ways similar to other children. While they may not learn in exactly the same way, they learn to build new connections in their brains in order to learn the same things that their peers are. Our brains change throughout our lives. New cells form and new connections are made all the time. This means that the treatments that are being done currently to treat learning disabilities are basically helping the brain develop new pathways. Brain exercises are used to find the strengths and weaknesses. Then computer-based learning programs are used to help children strengthen those pathways and areas that may need to be worked on. This helps a child learn, even if not at the same pace or in the same way as other children, but they are at least not left behind in their knowledge, skills and education.
Research is continuing and perhaps in the future they may discover what causes the brain to start working along different pathways to the standard. This may help improve the current strategies and even offer treatments to target the causes at their origin to save a lot of pain and frustration for the child during their formative years.