According to the Learning Disabilities Association of America, there are several types of learning disabilities that are “neurologically-based processing problems”. “These processing problems can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing, or math. They can also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time planning and abstract reasoning,” notes the LDA.
Once information is recorded in the brain (input), three tasks must be carried out to make sense or integrate this information,” says the LDA. The steps of processing are sequencing, abstraction and organization.
Organization- Losing, forgetting or misplacing items may be an issue.
Pay attention! Watch your child and find out how he or she learns the best. Is it through writing, listening or touching? Would it help if you made sure he or she was in the front of the room in class? Maybe it would help if you purchased special pencils that help him hold it correctly, or maybe if you went to the library to borrow books or videos on subjects he or she is studying. Teach your child by focusing on his or her strengths, not weaknesses!
Talk to your doctor if you feel there is a need. Remember it is better to get help early before it gets even more difficult for your child!
Emphasize the positive and remember that your child will possibly not be able to do many things easily for his or her whole life- that does not mean that your child does not have things he or she cannot do. Find those special things that spark your child’s learning and work with them! Find your child’s special talent and pursue it together!
If you are selective, television and videos can be a good thing for your child. Watch them together and discuss the plots, characters or places. Make sure that you are with him or her during this time- do not use videos and television as a babysitter!
If your child is in school, you should talk to your school principal and counselors. If the school thinks your child may have a disability and needs attention after they evaluate him or her the school is required by federal and state law to provide special education for your child- at no cost to your family. If you find that the evaluation does not show a disability and you think it was not done correctly, you can ask for the school to pay for an Independent Education Evaluation. You can ask your school or your states parent Training and Information (PTI) center about the process you need to follow to request an IEE. If you would rather do it yourself, you can independently get an evaluation. Do not get discouraged if they results show that your child’s problem with reading is not caused by a disability- you can ask for your child to be enrolled in a remedial reading problem if he or she has problems reading.
What are the main types of learning disabilities in children?
The Learning Disabilities Association of America identifies four main processing areas. Input disabilities affect how information reaches the brain through eyes and ears, so a child may struggle to distinguish similar sounds or shapes. Integration disabilities affect how the brain sequences, abstracts, and organizes information. Memory disabilities affect whether a child can hold, store, and retrieve information long enough to learn from it. Output disabilities affect how children communicate — through language or through motor skills like writing and drawing.
How can I tell if my child might have a learning disability?
Watch for consistent patterns: difficulty following multi-step instructions, regularly losing or misplacing things, reading well below grade level, or trouble finding words to express thoughts. Notice how your child learns best — through listening, touching, or seeing — and whether certain formats consistently give them trouble. If you spot a pattern that concerns you, talking to your child’s teacher is a good first step, since teachers see how your child compares to peers of the same age.
What should parents do if they suspect a learning disability?
Get help early — earlier support really does make a difference. Talk to your doctor and also reach out to your child’s school principal and counselors. If the school believes your child may have a disability, federal and state law require them to conduct an evaluation and provide special education services at no cost to your family. If you disagree with the evaluation, you can request an Independent Education Evaluation (IEE), and the school may be required to cover that cost as well.
How can I support a child with a learning disability at home?
Start by figuring out how your child learns best — through writing, listening, or hands-on experience — and lean into those strengths. Focus on what your child can do well, not the gaps. Choose books that genuinely interest them rather than books you think they should read, since most children with learning disabilities read below grade level. When you watch television together, talk about what you’re seeing — that interaction turns screen time into a learning moment. Most importantly, make sure your child knows that a learning disability is not a failure. It is simply a different path to growth.
Michelle Donaghey is a freelance writer and mother of two boys, Chris and Patrick, who are her inspiration. She lives in Bremen, Indiana just south of South Bend, home of Notre Dame. When she isn’t writing, Michelle can be found in her perennial flower garden or working on small home improvement projects. Michelle has written for parenting publications including Metro Kids, Atlanta Parent,Dallas Child, Great Lakes Family, Family Times and Space Coast Parent and websites including iparenting.com.
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