How to help a child with learning disabilities: 7 tips

During childhood it is common for children to experience difficulties learning certain things.

Normally, this depends largely on the habits and interests of each child, but in some cases it happens that the child's difficulties when learning some content are so significant that they are unable to master the basics of the subject, and there can be talk of learning disorders or other psychological disorders that interfere with their progress educational.

In this article we will see how to help a child with learning disabilities, so you can overcome your limitations and learn new ways to solve problems. We are going to review a list of tips to help young people with these types of problems, in addition to giving a review of what it means to experience these difficulties.

• Related article: "Learning difficulties: definition and red flags"

What are learning problems?

To better understand how to help a child with learning disabilities, it is necessary to know what causes this psychological phenomenon.

Learning disabilities encompass a variety of academic difficulties in different areas, which affect children not only academically, but also personally.

There are children for whom it is easier to perform a mathematical equation than to write a text, and this is not extraordinary. But when we realize that the child has excessive difficulties to carry out the academic, numerical or linguistic activities, we may be in the presence of some problem of learning.

When the child does not master the knowledge of some area of ​​knowledge, even when you have reached an age where you should be able to perform these activities, is then where parents or caregivers should take a professional behavior (psychologist, psychopedagogue) to determine exactly what happens.

In conclusion, we can say that learning problems represent intense academic difficulties that affect children's lives in various aspects of their lives.

Types of psychological disorders that hinder your learning

Now let's see what are some of the most common difficulties in the field of psychological disorders that greatly affect your acquisition of knowledge.

1. Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a learning disorder characterized by complications when writing any type of symbols, such as letters and numbers. It does not imply spelling errors, but it is only about the impossibility to write in an orderly and understandable way.

2. Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia involves having great difficulties when carrying out numerical activities, even the most elementary. For example, children with this learning disability are unable to carry in their mind the procedure necessary to perform a basic mathematical equation.

3. Dyslexia

Dyslexia is about an alteration in reading ability in which the child confuses letters and numbers, thus altering the meaning of words, even when she writes them. For example, exchanging a "b" for a "d", or a "p" for a "q", and so on.

Trying to help children with learning disabilities of this type involves teaching reading guidelines that allow them to read more quickly without making mistakes.

• You may be interested: "Dyslexia: causes and symptoms of reading difficulties"

4. ADHD

In Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) it includes a difficulty when trying to stay focused and attentive to almost any situation, especially in classrooms. Children with this learning disability are easy to spot because they are quite restless.

• You may be interested: "Types of ADHD (characteristics, causes and symptoms)"

How to help children with learning disabilities?

The above d are just a few of the more common learning disorders; some of these may occur in conjunction with others, meaning that a child may have symptoms of several learning disorders at the same time. Usually in ADHD it causes problems in reading, writing and solving equations.

Next we are going to see a list of tips to help children with learning disabilities.

1. Get to know the child's oakma in depth

The more knowledge we have about the child's problem, the easier it will be for us to help him overcome her situation. It is important to understand the reason for their difficulty to avoid judging the minor and brand him incapable, which is counterproductive. In fact, it is necessary to avoid the use of labels as adjectives that can suppose a stigma for the little one; It is more useful to talk not about her identity, but about her actions and those actions that are difficult for her to perform.

2. Know in depth the rights of the child

As we learn more about the rights that children have regarding their schooling, we will be able to look for the better alternatives for them to overcome their learning problems without representing a painful or traumatic. In schools there are trained professionals that they have a duty to attend to these cases.

3. Joint work with teachers

It is important to establish a network together with teachers to be able to cover the learning process of children more broadly. The teacher will be responsible for letting the child's representative know exactly what difficulties are presents, and parents or caregivers should provide the necessary care at home, following the advice of the professionals.

4. Focus on strengths

The most advisable thing in any case of learning problems is focus on the child's strengths and make them notice, so that he does not feel minimized by her difficulties.

The idea is that the young man can identify her strengths and be able to promote them and feel proud of them.

5. Be patient with the child

Learning limitations can be managed so that their symptoms do not impede the child's learning progress. young, and children are capable of succeeding academically, as long as these difficulties are well channeled.

But it is important to remember that the process takes time, and we must be patient with children, do not expect quick or miraculous results.

6. Adapt to your skill level

It is crucial to adapt to the level of difficulty that the child can assume, in a way that is challenging but without being extremely difficult. If the "review" activities are too easy, you won't make much progress, and if they are too difficult, you will get frustrated and stop trying to improve.

7. Talk to other parents

A good way to find support is have contact with other parents who have children with these types of problems. Establishing relationships with people who are dealing with the same things that we are always useful for express our own concerns and ask for advice, apart from the fact that we can learn new methods to cope with situation.

Bibliographic references:

• Andrade-Lotero, Luis Alejandro (2012) Theory of cognitive load, multimedia design and learning: a state of the art Magis. International Journal of Research in Education, 5 (10): pp. 75 - 92.
• Farnham-Diggory, S (2004). Learning difficulties. Madrid: Morata Editions.
• García, J. N. (1998) Manual of learning difficulties. Madrid: Narcea.
• Rogers, C.R. & Freiberg, H.J. (1994). Freedom to Learn. Columbus, OH: Merrill / Macmillan.