Specific Learning Disorder
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (Fifth edition) (DSM- 5) a Specific Learning Disorder entails difficulties in learning and the use of academic skills such as reading, comprehension, spelling, writing and mathematics.
Many children are not diagnosed early on which leads to academic problems and poor self- esteem later on in life. The following are warning signs of a possible learning disorder.
1. Children with dyslexia often don't like reading by themselves but love to be read to.
2. Struggling to read. A child my struggle with fairly easy words but be able to read more difficult words.
3. Reading words that is not in the text.
4. Struggle enormously with spelling. Words might be spelled phonetically (as they sound). Reversal of letters are also common, for example confusing 'b' and 'd'.
5. Children with dyslexia often struggle to identify words that rhyme or word patterns.
6. Small children that struggle to name every day things such as simple colors and shapes. Later on they might struggle to remember simple sequences such as the letters of the alphabet or their telephone number.
7. Children with a poor understanding of numbers and their magnitude.
8. Children that struggle with easy pattern completion exercises.
It is important to note that before a diagnosis can be made, problems with hearing and eyesight must be eliminated. Specific Learning Disorder can also occur with other disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
If you suspect that your child might be suffering from a Specific Learning Disorder it is important to seek professional help. Only a trained professional can make a diagnosis and design an intervention program to treat your child's specific learning disorder.
Comments
Post a Comment