Parenting Corner Specific Learning Disorder Myths

A Specific Learning Disability is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of learning disorders. These disorders or disabilities affect the ability of children to read, write, compute, emote or perform in various streams.

The impact of learning disabilities may remain with a person even in their adult life and effect their social, professional life as well.

There are various types of Learning Disorders or LDs, such as:

• Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disorder that causes reading disability.
• Dysgraphia is the learning disorder related to writing.
• Dyscalculia is a very specific learning disability that only affects the ability of a person to understand numbers and learn math concepts.

Learning disorders can make education very challenging for children. Not being able to perform like other kids at school can also affect their self-confidence.Special educators, coaching, different methods of giving instructions and a lot of patience needs to be employed to help the children cope with LDs. – Subhasish Dutta, Parent

Some early signs that can be used for detection are:

• Very slow reading or writing

• Poor memory

• Difficulty computing, calculating numbers.

• Confused with similar letters such as ‘b’ or ‘d’.

• Not able to follow multiple instructions.

• Lack of focus, inattention.

• Avoiding social contacts and friends.

Support from parents, teachers, friends can go a long way in providing the much needed encouragement to children with LDs.

“A buddy system can also help the kids learn and interact with other students. Getting help from peers can go a long way in motivation and development of the children,” says Sneha Kuryan Reddy, Parent

Here are some myths associated with learning disorders.

Myth: Specific learning disabilities don’t affect intelligent kids.

Truth: It is important to understand that a learning disorder is not the indication of child’s IQ or intelligence. Many a time, it is incorrectly assumed that children with LDs have low IQs. The truth is that they can be bright, intelligent and smart.

Myth: Specific learning disabilities are not very common.

Truth: LDs are quite common in children and are known to effect around 5-15% of school going children.

Myth: Every child struggling with studies has Specific learning disorders.

Truth: LDs are not the only cause and it is always better to get the child diagnosed to understand the reason behind his or her struggles in academics.

Myth: Poor diet or too much TV causes LDs.

Truth: LDs are brain related issues and are not really caused by external factors.

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