BlogsAcademicsPre-K to 8Learning CenterUpper School
Do You Have the Wrong Idea About Learning Differences?
Sep 4, 2012 9:26 AM
By Jean Bonnyman - FF/S
There are MANY misconceptions floating around about learning differences today. Fortunately, unlike when I was in school, today learning differences can be recognized properly and research is full throttle ahead. Whole schools are available now for children with learning differences, learning centers in private schools are becoming common, and public schools have their own versions of support depending on their location and budget. Even many colleges today are offering learning centers.
So what is a learning difference exactly? The kind of “learning challenges” that happen in an academic setting can be broken down into many areas. Some of the key ones that learning specialists at Darlington work with are as follows:
Processing: How fast a student can metabolize information they hear, see, or read. A student with slow processing can have very high intelligence, they just can’t “use their brain” at a high speed. It is like having a big sports car engine but no gears for going very fast. Is this frustrating for these kids? Oh yes.
Attention: Not so long ago, students who couldn’t pay attention in school were thought to be naughty. What is really going on is many other things, but usually having to do with brain neurons not making connections. Sometimes it is just a slow maturing brain; other times it is a very high-powered brain that runs too fast. Even high levels of anxiety and lack of sleep hamper ability to focus. Slow processing and memory significantly debilitate attention as well. Do these kids feel misunderstood? Oh yes.
Memory: Sometimes memory is a separate issue, and sometimes it is because a student has slow processing or can’t focus. (If a child can’t process fast enough to keep up with the teacher, they lose attention and they can’t remember what they never caught in the first place!) Memory can break down to visual (child can’t remember pictures, diagrams, etc.) or auditory (child can’t remember the beginning of an explanation or page by the time they get to the end). Imagine trying to do geometry if you can’t remember the images, or remembering a list of facts for a test if they just won’t stick! Lack of sleep and anxiety can influence memory as well as attention. Do these kids work harder for less result? Oh yes.
Dyslexia: In the United States, dyslexia means a child has issues with words: recognizing words (actually seeing words correctly), decoding words (figuring out words by their sound units), fluency (how easy and smooth is reading?) and spelling. Very often, dyslexic students have exceptional ability otherwise. Do these kids too often think they are just dumb? Oh yes.
Reading Comprehension: The explanation is too long for this blog, but please click here for specifics. What I will say, is ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO READ! Good readers read a lot, and I don’t mean text messaging. I mean books. Can these kids be helped by “reading in the home” support? Oh yes.
Dyscalculia: Again, an extensive explanation is needed here for people who have significant trouble with math. Click here for specifics. Is this learning problem often missed? Oh yes.
Dysgraphia: Not to be confused with dyslexia, dysgraphia is seen in people who really can’t make their fingers work to write legibly. Fortunately, computers in the classroom have helped these students be able to take notes and tests. Have these kids been labeled sloppy in the past? Oh yes.
Executive Function: This is the buzz word today for self- management, but people who “can’t manage their stuff and their life” actually have a neurological issue of mental control and self-regulation. Does this effect success in life? Oh yes. For a more extensive explanation, click here.
The bottom line is, it's important to give students with learning differences a fair chance. The first step in doing this is excellent educational testing. As with anything, some testing is excellent and some is poor. Please check with us if you are considering testing for your child. Once we have testing, we work with you and your child’s teachers to create a learning environment where your child can succeed in school and beyond.
Attention: Not so long ago, students who couldn’t pay attention in school were thought to be naughty. What is really going on is many other things, but usually having to do with brain neurons not making connections. Sometimes it is just a slow maturing brain; other times it is a very high-powered brain that runs too fast. Even high levels of anxiety and lack of sleep hamper ability to focus. Slow processing and memory significantly debilitate attention as well. Do these kids feel misunderstood? Oh yes.
Memory: Sometimes memory is a separate issue, and sometimes it is because a student has slow processing or can’t focus. (If a child can’t process fast enough to keep up with the teacher, they lose attention and they can’t remember what they never caught in the first place!) Memory can break down to visual (child can’t remember pictures, diagrams, etc.) or auditory (child can’t remember the beginning of an explanation or page by the time they get to the end). Imagine trying to do geometry if you can’t remember the images, or remembering a list of facts for a test if they just won’t stick! Lack of sleep and anxiety can influence memory as well as attention. Do these kids work harder for less result? Oh yes.
Dyslexia: In the United States, dyslexia means a child has issues with words: recognizing words (actually seeing words correctly), decoding words (figuring out words by their sound units), fluency (how easy and smooth is reading?) and spelling. Very often, dyslexic students have exceptional ability otherwise. Do these kids too often think they are just dumb? Oh yes.
Reading Comprehension: The explanation is too long for this blog, but please click here for specifics. What I will say, is ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO READ! Good readers read a lot, and I don’t mean text messaging. I mean books. Can these kids be helped by “reading in the home” support? Oh yes.
Dyscalculia: Again, an extensive explanation is needed here for people who have significant trouble with math. Click here for specifics. Is this learning problem often missed? Oh yes.
Dysgraphia: Not to be confused with dyslexia, dysgraphia is seen in people who really can’t make their fingers work to write legibly. Fortunately, computers in the classroom have helped these students be able to take notes and tests. Have these kids been labeled sloppy in the past? Oh yes.
Executive Function: This is the buzz word today for self- management, but people who “can’t manage their stuff and their life” actually have a neurological issue of mental control and self-regulation. Does this effect success in life? Oh yes. For a more extensive explanation, click here.
The bottom line is, it's important to give students with learning differences a fair chance. The first step in doing this is excellent educational testing. As with anything, some testing is excellent and some is poor. Please check with us if you are considering testing for your child. Once we have testing, we work with you and your child’s teachers to create a learning environment where your child can succeed in school and beyond.
