Learning is hard: 5 signs that your child struggles with their learning
We all know that every student learns differently and how children access the curriculum at school is not always straightforward. A child’s unique learning process doesn’t always allow them to handle information adequately, resulting in frustration, anger and even withdrawal.
Unfortunately in today’s educational environment, there is still a sense of shame around learning differently and learning differences (like learning disabilities such as dyslexia) and these are still very much misunderstood.
They key here is to understand that students who find learning difficult do not necessarily have a learning disability.
Several children have difficulty with reading, writing, or other learning-related tasks at some point, but this does not mean they have definitive learning disabilities. According to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, “a child with a learning disability often has several related signs, and these persist over time” as opposed to a child who simply struggles with learning in general.
5 Signs that your child is finding learning difficult:
Decline in Grades or Academic Performance: A sudden drop in grades or consistently lower performance in specific subjects can indicate that the child is having difficulty understanding the material.
Avoidance of Schoolwork: If a child regularly avoids homework, projects, or studying, it may be a sign that they are feeling overwhelmed or unsure about the tasks at hand.
Behavioral Changes: Acting out, becoming more withdrawn, or displaying frustration and irritability can be indicators of stress or frustration related to school challenges.
Physical Symptoms: Complaints about headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue, especially before school or during homework time, may point to anxiety or stress related to academic struggles.
Loss of Interest in School: If a child who previously enjoyed school starts to express disinterest or reluctance to attend, it may signal that they are feeling discouraged or unhappy with their school experience.
The signs of learning difficulties and disabilities also vary from person to person. The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada is a comprehensive source of information for parents and teachers and does a great job separating fact from fiction.
Click here for Part 2 of Learning is Hard, the blog about 7 strategies that you can use at home to support your special student!
For more information on learning differences, watch Susan Schenk’s original webinar for Beyond the Classroom here
