What is a Specific Learning Disability?
Specific learning disability is a situation in which individuals have difficulty in learning in a particular area. This does not mean that the individual has a low level of general intelligence. It may also not be associated with academic failure.
Specific learning disabilities can include various areas in which there may be marked difficulties in the learning process. The areas shown below are examples of these situations;
- * Reading difficulties (Dyslexia)
- * Writing difficulties (Dysgraphia)
- * Mathematics learning difficulties (Dyscalculia)
- * Difficulty using language
- * Difficulty recognizing objects
- * Hand-eye coordination difficulties
What Are the Symptoms of a Specific Learning Disability?
Specific learning disabilities can include various areas in which there may be marked difficulties in the learning process. The symptoms seen in this situation may vary depending on the type and severity of the learning disability. Common symptoms in individuals with specific learning disabilities may include:
- * Reading difficulties: In conditions such as dyslexia, reading may be difficult and there may be difficulties in recognizing words, pronouncing or understanding the text read.
- * Mathematical difficulties: In cases such as dyscalculia, it may be difficult to understand mathematical concepts. This can occur in areas such as defining numbers, understanding numerical relationships, or solving mathematical problems.
- * Writing difficulties: In conditions such as dysgraphia, writing skills may be poor. In this case, handwriting or typefaces may be irregular, or typographical errors may be frequent.
- * Language use difficulties: Some individuals with specific learning difficulties may experience weakness in their vocabulary or language use skills. In this case, it may be difficult to use the right words or expression disorders may occur.
- * Difficulty in hand-eye coordination: In this case, there may be difficulties in areas such as coordination of movements, following objects, synchronizing hands and eyes.
- * Social interaction difficulties: Some specific learning difficulties may be related to difficulties in social interaction. For example, some children with specific learning difficulties may have difficulty reading social cues or interacting with other children.
- * Other symptoms:
- - Delay in speaking ability
- - Forgetfulness and absent-mindedness
- - Pronunciation problems
- - Problems with memory and difficulty in memorization
- - Difficulty in verbal expression and inability to form proper sentences
- - Difficulty in fine motor skills
- - Difficulty understanding and following directions
- - Inability to know directions
- - Difficulty learning sequential information such as numbers, months, days
- - Inability to use time well
- - Lack of attention span
- - Weakness in planning and organizational skills
These symptoms may manifest in different ways in individuals with specific learning disabilities. However, these symptoms can play an important role in identifying individuals who have difficulties in the learning process.
What Causes Specific Learning Disabilities?
Specific learning disabilities can be due to a variety of causes. The development or function of certain areas of the brain of some individuals may differ from others. For others, it may be related to a learning disability caused by an environmental factor.
Specific learning disabilities can be due to a variety of causes. These may include:
- * Genetic factors: Some specific learning difficulties can be inherited. For example, some conditions, such as dyslexia, run more often in families.
- * Brain development: The development or function of certain areas in the brains of some individuals may differ from others. This can cause specific learning difficulties.
- * Environmental factors: Specific learning difficulties can sometimes be caused by environmental factors. For example, childhood malnutrition, a traumatic brain injury or premature birth can lead to this condition.
- * Learning style: Each individual's learning style is different and some students may experience specific learning difficulties if they are not educated in accordance with a particular learning style. For example, a student with a visual learning style may have difficulty understanding the information presented orally.
- * Language and cultural differences: Some specific learning difficulties may result from individuals' different linguistic or cultural backgrounds. For example, a student with English language learning difficulties may have difficulty improving their reading or writing skills.
Each of these causes may contribute to specific learning difficulties and may need to be managed with proper diagnosis and treatment.
Tasks to Overcome Specific Learning Disabilities
What are the Duties of Parents in Specific Learning Disability?
Parents of children with specific learning difficulties play an important role in the difficulties their children face in the learning process. Parents can take on a range of tasks to help their child recognize and support their child's specific learning difficulties. Here are some tasks parents can do for their children with specific learning difficulties:
- * Education and counseling: Parents should provide access to education and counseling services for their children with specific learning difficulties. These services will provide the knowledge and skills needed to optimize their child's learning process.
- * Understanding the child's learning style: Parents must understand their child's learning style. Thus, they can provide appropriate support to their children's learning process. For example, some children learn better through visual learning, while others learn better through auditory or tactile learning.
- * Creating a supportive environment: Parents should create an environment that supports their child's learning process. This environment can take the form of providing a quiet study space at home, providing learning materials, or planning games and activities appropriate to their child's learning process.
- * Provide learning opportunities: Parents should provide access to their children's learning opportunities. These opportunities can consist of resources such as learning centres, libraries or arts and cultural events.
- * Regular communication: Parents should establish regular communication during their child's learning process. This communication is necessary to follow their children's progress in the learning process, to understand their difficulties and to provide them with support.
Parents of children with specific learning difficulties play an important role in their child's learning process. Parents should understand their children's difficulties in the learning process and create a supportive environment.
What are the Duties of the Psychologist in Specific Learning Disability?
Support from many specialties is necessary for the treatment and management of children with specific learning difficulties. One of these supports is psychologists who provide psychological support. Psychologists can undertake a range of tasks for children with specific learning difficulties and their families. Here are some tasks psychologists can do for children with specific learning difficulties:
- * Assessment and Diagnosis: Psychologists play an important role in the assessment of children with specific learning difficulties. They can make the correct diagnosis by measuring the areas where the child has difficulty and learning skills.
- * Individual therapy: Psychologists can provide individual therapy sessions for children with specific learning difficulties. These sessions are necessary to address psychological problems such as stress, anxiety and loss of self-confidence caused by the child's specific learning difficulties.
- * Family therapy: Psychologists can also provide supportive therapy sessions for families of children with specific learning difficulties. Family therapy aims to provide cooperation and support within the family to overcome difficulties in the child's learning process.
- * Teaching learning strategies and skills: Psychologists can work to teach learning strategies and skills to children with specific learning difficulties. This helps the child learn the necessary knowledge and skills to optimize the learning process.
- * Collaboration: Psychologists can collaborate with other health professionals and teachers, taking a team approach for children with specific learning difficulties. This helps to support the child as needed in the learning process.
Psychological support for children with specific learning difficulties plays an important role in the child's learning process. Psychologists may undertake a range of tasks, such as assessing children, providing therapy sessions, and teaching learning skills.
Psy. Berfin Cağli
Psychology
