Children Struggling with Educational Hurdles: Challenges Faced by Kids with Learning Disabilities
In a healthy diet, protein plays a crucial role in building, maintaining, and repairing body tissues, as well as producing neurotransmitters. Meanwhile, the brain benefits from a variety of foods, such as cocoa powder, which is packed with antioxidants, and seeds like pumpkin, flax, chia, melon, sesame, and sunflower, which contain powerful antioxidants that protect the brain from free radical damage [1].
One common learning disability is dyslexia, which affects reading decoding and can cause spelling and writing difficulties. Other learning disabilities may present as difficulties with mathematics, slow vocabulary growth, trouble rhyming words, transposing number sequences, slow learning, impulsiveness, trouble learning numbers, alphabet, days of the week, colours and shapes, restlessness, difficulty interacting with peers, trouble following directions or routines, fine motor skills that are slow to develop, poor pencil grip and subsequent handwriting, trouble telling the time, poor coordination, and trouble completing tasks within given time frames [2].
To identify signs and symptoms of learning disabilities in children, it's essential to look for difficulties in various academic, cognitive, motor, behavioural, and social areas. Academic difficulties may include trouble learning the alphabet, numbers, colours, shapes, or days of the week; struggles with reading, spelling, writing, or math problems; reading below expected levels for age or grade; reading slowly with poor comprehension; difficulty with word recognition and confusing similar-looking words; trouble with math such as counting, copying numbers, or learning multiplication tables; problems with grammar, punctuation, spelling, and organising writing [1][2][3][4].
Cognitive and processing issues may manifest as difficulty understanding or following instructions; trouble distinguishing right from left; reversing letters or numbers (e.g., confusing b and d, or 12 and 21); trouble blending or segmenting sounds in words; problems storing and recalling letters; difficulty remembering word meanings; problems concentrating long enough to read accurately [1][2][3]. Motor skills difficulties may present as clumsiness; poor hand-eye coordination; trouble manipulating paper and pencils; difficulty with fine and gross motor tasks [3].
Behavioural and emotional signs may include failing to follow verbal instructions that might be mistaken for defiance; inconsistent phonetic spelling; frustration or emotional distress related to learning tasks; and difficulties interacting with peers or adapting socially due to frustration with academic work or behavioural issues [3].
Specific disorders may have characteristic signs. For instance, dysgraphia affects a child's ability to write and may produce illegible text. Attention difficulties, such as ADD and ADHD, can cause poor impulse control, fidgetiness, and sloppy written work, as well as difficulties with reading comprehension, task retention, following directions, completing lengthy projects, and organisation [2].
If you suspect a learning disability, observe if the child consistently struggles despite normal intelligence, and consult with educators or specialists who can conduct formal evaluations through educational and mental health testing. Schools often have procedures to identify and support children with learning disabilities based on these signs [1].
Strategies to support children with learning disabilities include using a multi-sensory approach to learning, using visual aids and instructions, instructing problem-solving specifically for known difficulties, fostering independence, providing daily activities to help develop speech and language skills, giving the child coping strategies for situations they don't understand, teaching skills in a fun, play-based way, and using nutrition as a means to improve brain function [5].
In summary, key signs to watch for include consistent struggles with reading, writing, math, following instructions, letter or number reversals, poor motor coordination, and behavioural difficulties related to learning tasks. Early identification allows for timely support and interventions.
References: [1] National Centre for Learning Disabilities. (n.d.). Recognizing Learning Disabilities. Retrieved from https://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/recognizing-learning-disabilities [2] Understood. (n.d.). Learning and Thinking Differences. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/learning-problems [3] Learning Disabilities Association of America. (n.d.). Common Learning Disabilities. Retrieved from https://ldaamerica.org/learn/types-of-learning-disabilities/ [4] National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (n.d.). Learning Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Learning-Disorders-Information-Page [5] National Centre for Learning Disabilities. (n.d.). Strategies for Supporting Children with Learning Disabilities. Retrieved from https://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/strategies-supporting-children-learning-disabilities
- Engaging in games that focus on brain development, such as memory and puzzle games, can be beneficial for children with learning disabilities, as they help improve cognitive skills and seal learning paths in the brain.
- Encouraging a balanced diet rich in proteins, seeds, and antioxidant-rich foods like cocoa powder may aid in optimal brain function, thereby complementing the educational and self-development strategies for children with learning disabilities.
- Seeking guidance from professionals, like nutritionists, psychologists, and educators, can help identify the specific type of learning disability and provide a tailored approach to mental health, health-and-wellness, and education-and-self-development support.
- Continuous learning and personal growth through diverse resources, such as books, articles, and workshops, can benefit both parents and educators in understanding learning disabilities and applying effective strategies to support the development of children with learning disabilities.
