Reading and Learning Disabilities
From: Center for Parent Information & Resources
There is no one sign that shows a person has a learning disability. Experts look for a noticeable difference between how well a child does in school and how well he or she could do, given his or her intelligence or ability. There are also certain clues that may mean a child has a learning disability. We've listed a few below. Most relate to elementary school tasks, because learning disabilities tend to be identified in elementary school. A child probably won't show all of these signs, or even most of them. However, if a child shows a number of these problems, then parents and the teacher should consider the possibility that the child has a learning disability.
When a child has a learning disability, he or she:
There is no one sign that shows a person has a learning disability. Experts look for a noticeable difference between how well a child does in school and how well he or she could do, given his or her intelligence or ability. There are also certain clues that may mean a child has a learning disability. We've listed a few below. Most relate to elementary school tasks, because learning disabilities tend to be identified in elementary school. A child probably won't show all of these signs, or even most of them. However, if a child shows a number of these problems, then parents and the teacher should consider the possibility that the child has a learning disability.
When a child has a learning disability, he or she:
- may have trouble learning the alphabet, rhyming words, or connecting letters to their sounds
- may make many mistakes when reading aloud, and repeat and pause often
- may not understand what he or she reads
- may have real trouble with spelling
- may have very messy handwriting or hold a pencil awkwardly
- may struggle to express ideas in writing
- may learn language late and have a limited vocabulary
- may have trouble remembering the sounds that letters make or hearing slight differences between words
- may have trouble understanding jokes, comic strips and sarcasm
- may have trouble following directions
- may mispronounce words or use a wrong word that sounds similar
- may have trouble organizing what he or she wants to say or not be able to think of the word he or she needs for writing or conversation
- may not follow the social rules of conversation, such as taking turns, and may stand too close to the listener
- may confuse math symbols and misread numbers
- may not be able to retell a story in order (what happened first, second, third)
- may not know where to begin a task or how to go on from there
Helpful websites about learning disabilities
Center for Parent Information & Resources
c/o SPAN 35 Halsey St. 4th Floor Newark, NJ 07102 Phone: (443) 906.3785 Help Guide Learn more about Mental and Emotional Health including: Autism and Learning Disabilities.Sign up for a FREE monthly newsletter. Launching young Readers! Reading Rockets Reading Rockets WETA Public Telvevion 2775 S. Quincy St. Arlington, VA 22206 E-mail: [email protected] |
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WETA Public Television 2775 S. Quincy St. Arlington, VA 22206 Learning Disabilities Association of America 4156 Library Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15234 Phone: (412) 341.1515 PBS Parents Public Broadcasting Service 2100 Crystal Dr. Arlington, VA 22202 Phone: (703) 739.5000 Very Well How to help your son or daughter with learning disabilities. E-mail: [email protected] |