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Don’t let Learning Disability affect your child’s self-esteem
If your child is struggling at school – be it in terms of reading and writing, memorizing, staying focused on tasks, following directions, or coping with homework and other academic demands, it is wise not to dismiss it as just naughtiness. Sometimes, there could be underlying issues that need to be addressed, such as Learning Disabilities.
The signs of LD may vary slightly during each stage of childhood.
Preschool: The child may have some of these difficulties in preschool.
- Pronouncing simple words
- Recognizing letters and words
- Learning numbers, rhymes or songs
- Concentrating on tasks
- Following rules and directions
- Using fine/gross motor skills to do physical tasks.
Primary School: The child may have difficulty in:
- Connecting letters and sounds
- Differentiating between similar sounding words or rhyming words
- Reading, spelling, or writing accurately
- Distinguishing right from left, for example, confusing 25 with 52, “b” with “d,” “on” with “no,” “s” with “5″
- Using correct mathematical symbols for doing math problems
- Remembering numbers or facts
- Learning new skills; the child may be slower than other children of his or her age
- Memorizing poems or answers
- Understanding the concept of time
- Hand-to-eye coordination, being unable to gauge the distance or speed, thus leading to accidents
- Tasks involving fine motor skills: holding pencil, tying shoe lace, buttoning shirt and so on
- Keeping track of own possessions like stationery items
Middle School: The child may have difficulty in:
- Spelling similar words (sea/see, week/weak), usage of prefixes, suffixes
- Reading aloud, writing assignments, solving word problems in math (the child may avoid doing tasks involving these skills)
- Handwriting (child may grip the pencil tightly)
- Memorizing or recalling facts
- Understanding body language and facial expressions
- Showing appropriate emotional reactions
High School: The child may have difficulty in:
- Spelling words accurately
- Reading and writing tasks
- Summarizing, paraphrasing, answering application problems or questions in tests
- Poor memory
- Adjusting to new surroundings
- Understanding abstract concepts
- Focusing consistently: the child may lack concentration on some tasks, while focusing excessively on others.
Learning Disability can be overcome with a goal-oriented approach.
At Plexus, we believe that early intervention can improve an individual’s daily functions. Our team of Learning Disabilities experts, led by Dr Na’eem Sadiq, treat children with various disorders that fall under the category of Learning Disabilities, for example:
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Problems with comprehension through sounds
Dyscalculia
Problems with mathematical functions
Dysgraphia
Problems with handwriting
Dyslexia
Problems with reading
Dyspraxia
Problems with coordination and balance
Language Processing Disorder
Problems with understanding spoken and written language
Non-verbal Learning Disabilities
Problems with visual-spatial, motor, and social skills
Our experienced team consists of Neurologists, Speech and Language Therapists, as well as Occupational Therapists who create treatment plans that are most suited for your child’s priorities and needs.
At Plexus, we place importance on educational therapy and provide your child with the additional support system they need to reach their developmental milestones and meet their personal and academic needs.
What our patients say
Radhika Gupta (name changed)
“My six-year-old Sonia has been facing difficulties with reading and writing, memorizing, staying focused on basic tasks, following directions, and even coping with her homework. I have taken her to several doctors but no one could provide me with any solution. When I came to Plexus, Dr Na’eem Sadiq quickly recognized that my child was suffering from learning disability and recommended the necessary treatment. Now my daughter has overcome most of her symptoms as she has been able to develop her writing skills to a higher level. She is now able to express herself with words and has received a major confidence boost. Thank you Plexus.”
Radhika Gupta (name changed)
“My six-year-old Sonia has been facing difficulties with reading and writing, memorizing, staying focused on basic tasks, following directions, and even coping with her homework. I have taken her to several doctors but no one could provide me with any solution. When I came to Plexus, Dr Na’eem Sadiq quickly recognized that my child was suffering from learning disability and recommended the necessary treatment. Now my daughter has overcome most of her symptoms as she has been able to develop her writing skills to a higher level. She is now able to express herself with words and has received a major confidence boost. Thank you Plexus.”
Tarini Reddy (name changed)
"Everyone can see positive signs of recovery at Plexus. Personally I have seen that my daughter has started paying attention and has shown changes in her behavior. Heartful thanks to Dr Na'eem Sadiq and the OTs (Ms. Kritika, Ms. Kanishka and Mr. Charles) who worked very hard to reach this milestone. All the staffs of Plexus were very supportive. Thanks for the nurses for being very friendly with my daughter during the entire process. Thanks to the receptionist who has always been so supportive and for the smooth process and paper work. Thank you.
FAQs answered
Some children begin as slow learners and are eventually able to learn and cope with their studies. Whereas, others may not be interested in specific types of learning (such as a new language, a specific activity or skill, or an academic subject). While some children may not be interested in sports or other outdoor activities. These attributes indicate the child’s interests, rather than a learning disability.
Experts say that there is no single, specific cause for Learning Disabilities. However, there are some factors that lead to their symptoms, including:
- Heredity: In some cases, it is observed that a child whose parents experienced a Learning Disability, is likely to develop the same disorder.
- Illness during and after birth: An illness or injury during or after birth may cause Learning Disabilities. Other possible factors could be drugs or alcohol consumption during pregnancy, physical trauma, poor growth in the uterus, low birth weight, and premature or prolonged labor.
- Stress during infancy: A stressful incident after birth such as high fever, head injury, or poor nutrition can result in Learning Disabilities.
- Environment: Increased exposure to toxins such as lead (in paint, ceramics, and toys) can lead to Learning Disabilities in children.
- Comorbidity: Children with Learning Disabilities are at a higher-than-average risk of attention problems or disruptive behavior disorders. Up to 25 percent of children with reading disorders also have ADHD. Conversely, it is estimated that between 15 and 30 percent of children diagnosed with ADHD have a Learning Disorder.
Identifying a Learning Disability is a complex process. The first step is to rule out vision, hearing, and developmental issues that can overshadow the underlying Learning Disability. Once these tests are completed, a Learning Disability is identified using psycho-educational assessment, which includes academic achievement testing along with a measure of intellectual capability. This test helps determine if there is any significant discrepancy between a child’s potential and performance capability (IQ) and their academic achievement (school performance).
Learning Disabilities is identified after a series of tests conducted by a team of specialists. Hence, you can approach a Neurologist, Occupational Therapist, special educator, or child psychologist to get your child assessed.
