Is Your Child Struggling at School?

According to the Learning Disability Association of Canada:

o   “Learning Disabilities" refer to a number of disorders which may affect the acquisition, organization, retention, understanding or use of verbal or nonverbal information. These disorders affect learning in individuals who otherwise demonstrate at least average abilities essential for thinking and/or reasoning.  

In other words, you may have a child with average abilities who should be able to learn, but who struggles with learning, because something is getting in their way. Further, it can be any one or combination of a number of different problems. As such, “learning disability” is the catch-all term to describe anything from dyslexia to auditory processing problems. 

Learning disabilities are thus varied, affect about 10 percent of all school children and can range from mild to severe.  Each child with a learning disability will present differently, but there are certain patterns or characteristics that children with learning disabilities have and these include:

o        Poor handwriting / bizarre spelling mistakes

o        Books in a mess

o        Notes out of order

o        Frequently losing things

o        Few friends

o        Frustration about school or poor self-esteem

o        Inconsistent academic performance in spite of parental support. 

These struggles can affect a child’s reading, writing and math skills causing frustration for students and parents alike. 

These difficulties often begin to appear in the primary grades.  However, there are instances where a child may do well in the primary grades because primary teachers tend to provide more repetition and structure. However, when these children enter the intermediate or senior grades, they can then begin to struggle with the increased demand for independent completion of assignments and homework.  As such, when a learning disability becomes evident will vary, but quite often will appear more forthrightly by grades three and four.

If you think your child has a learning disability, you should discuss the situation with the classroom teacher.  Maybe all that is required is extra attention to address your child’s particular learning style.  If these changes do not help, then parents should request a psychoeducational assessment from the school, as conducted by a psychologist.  This will determine if your child has a learning disability and if so, in what area(s).  Further, on the basis of this assessment, the psychologist can tell you and the teacher about your child’s particular learning strengths and weaknesses and how to better meet your child’s learning needs.

What does this all mean for your child?  If your child has a learning disability, they may require different strategies to help them learn and use information. With a change in learning strategies, their frustration may be eased and their school experience can be more enjoyable. A learning disability does not mean your child cannot go on to college or university.  Many students with learning disabilities are successful and go on to professions.  It may be a bit more of a challenge for them, but with some simple modifications these students can do well.

So if your child is struggling at school:

1.      Speak with the teacher, ask their advice and work with their suggestions.

2.      Ask the teacher directly if s/he thinks your child has a learning disability.

3.      Consider a psychoeducational assessment if things do not improve.

Lastly if an assessment is recommended, determine the waiting time to obtain the assessment and the time to implementing any recommendations arising. If your child is struggling significantly and the waiting time is long, you may want to consider paying directly for a private assessment. While the cost can range from $1,500 - $3,000, this may be offset by your child’s prompt access to service and educational strategies to help them do better and feel better too. If you need a referral for a private assessment, ask the teacher or your doctor who they recommend in your area.