Learning disabilities (1693)

What is a Learning Disability?

A learning disability (LD) is a problem with learning and using new information. Children with a LD can have a hard time with reading, writing, or math. They often have average to above average intelligence. Learning disabilities can be mild to severe. Children can have more than one learning disability at once.

A learning disability cannot be cured or fixed. It is a lifelong challenge. People with learning disabilities can be successful in school, at work, in relationships, and in the community.

What causes a learning disability?

Learning disabilities may be related to many things.

• A child is more likely to have a learning disability if they have a close relative with a learning disability.
• Some medical and genetic conditions can increase the chance your child will have a learning disability.
• There are differences in the brain that are linked with each learning disability. This does not mean there is something wrong with your child’s brain.
• A learning disability is not caused by not spending time practicing reading, writing, or math with a child.

How can learning disabilities affect my child?

A child with a learning disability may:

• have a hard time reading. They may have problems sounding out words, understanding what they read or reading smoothly.
• have a hard time writing. They may have problems thinking of ideas to write about and outlining their ideas.
• have a hard time doing math. They may have problems adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing numbers. They may also have a hard time with math word problems.
• take much longer to finish homework in subjects related to their learning disability.
• get lower grades in subjects related to their learning disability.
• get frustrated with school work. School work can be very stressful. This can lower a child’s self-esteem.
• seem uninterested in school or appear to not care about it.

How to help

With homework

• Focus on your child’s effort. Praise their efforts. Try not to focus on grades.
• Create a routine for doing homework.
  • Work on it in the same place and at the same time every night.
  • Have a place where all needed homework supplies are kept.
• Be nearby to help your child start their homework and help them complete it. This could be:
  • reading together.
  • helping figure out steps for finishing math problems.
  • helping your child outline their ideas for a writing assignment.
• Set a time limit your child will spend on schoolwork each night. If it does not get finished, write a note to the teacher to explain this. Your child should not spend more than ____________minutes on school work.
• Break homework into small chunks. Allow your child a break every 15 to 20 minutes when they are doing homework. Offer your child an extra break if they are getting frustrated.
• Let your child learn from their mistakes. They do not need to turn in a perfect paper. Try not to correct all of your child’s errors.
• Give your child a reward after they finish their work.
• Build on your child’s strengths. Make sure they are able to do activities they enjoy and are good at, like sports or art.

At school

• Work with your child’s school to develop a special education plan (IEP or 504 Plan) that includes special education services. This will include help in the areas your child is struggling in. Some things that might be helpful include:
• Increasing the amount of time your child has to do their work.
• Reducing the number of problems to be done.
• Providing extra time for tests in subjects that are harder.
• Giving copies of class notes to your child.
• Receiving extra help in the subject your child is having a hard time with.
• Children can feel better if they first complete tasks that are easier for them. Then they can work on subjects that are harder.

Special Instructions-Tutoring

Your child may benefit from special help with their learning disability. Talk to your provider about tutoring options. Contact the following program to sign up your child for tutoring:

Resources

www.ncld.org English webpage National Center for Learning Disabilities

www.understood.org Understood- For learning and attention issues: English and Spanish webpage and resources.