Learning Disorder. "Or Is It?"
Learning difficulties and disabilities are topics that concern many parents and educators, as the signs often become apparent during the school years, and these issues can persist throughout a child's life. It is crucial to understand that a diagnosis is not a final verdict, but rather a guide that helps us recognize how we can support the child in their development. Learning disorders, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia, often cause difficulties not only in academic performance but can also have a significant impact on self-esteem, social relationships, and later life in adulthood.
Our development begins with conception and, in an ideal world, continues until the end of our earthly journey. The pace, extent, direction, and speed of this development can be defined in well-defined stages. However, the combination of an individual's inherited traits and environmental influences significantly affects it. Therefore, when determining the quality of development, numerous objective and subjective components need to be considered.
A mother or father knows every subtle change in their child. They can tell from the tone of their voice what kind of mood the child is in, or they can read every thought from the child's eyes. They watch and protect every step, offering support when needed. They have a vision for their child's future and want to give them everything they can, so they grow up to be successful adults. They browse parenting literature, ask for advice from their parents, the pediatrician, friends, and acquaintances. Meanwhile, they are constantly comparing. In the first few days after childbirth, they compare their baby with other newborns in the nursery, with the other babies in the stroller at the store, and with the other children playing tag at the playground, in kindergarten, and in school.
This is completely natural, as long as it doesn't lead to sweeping conclusions, like noticing that, for example, little Pistike from next door recited a poem at 9 months old, or that 3-year-old Pannika can climb to the top of the tallest jungle gym at the playground, all while counting to 20. These cannot be the basis for comparison.
Each child, with their unique genetic makeup, develops at their own pace, which can be consciously supported, but nothing should be forced.
If there's uncertainty or any questions, it's a good idea to consult a professional. Many parents shy away from this, fearing that something might be wrong. However, in many cases, a simple examination and a clarifying conversation can dispel months of doubt, or, if it turns out there is something, the child will receive help from a professional. The earlier this is addressed, the more effective the help can be.
If it turns out that there is something...
Suspicion, signs, assessments, discussions, diagnoses, codes, expert opinions, recommendations, therapy options, therapeutic professionals. As a parent, you might feel overwhelmed by the flood of new terms, opinions, possible, and necessary actions. You have to process the vast amount of information, but all that keeps going through your mind is that "something" has been revealed. It could be a learning difficulty, learning disability, learning disorder, specific learning disorder, and the list goes on. No two children or adults with the same diagnosis are identical. In fact, there isn't even a unified classification system across different countries in the world.
The causes of learning failure include the specific degrees, shades, and differences of the individual, even within the same category.
Unfortunately, many misconceptions circulate about these issues, so here are a few key distinctions:
Learning Difficulty:
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Normal intelligence
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Learning is difficult in some areas
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Temporary
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Easily developable
Learning Disorder:
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Normal intelligence
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Despite having learning potential, the academic performance falls short
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Persistent
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Emotional and behavioral issues may be associated
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Divided into subcategories like specific learning disorders (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, aphasia, dyspraxia)
In the "Skill Development" section of my website, you can read more details about specific learning disorders.
Learning Disability:
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Below-average intelligence (permanent disability)
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All areas of learning are affected
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Severe condition
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Can be taught with special methods and tools
As you have read, only in the case of learning disabilities can we talk about permanent disability. It is true that someone with intellectual disability can also be dyslexic, but just because someone is diagnosed with dyslexia doesn't necessarily mean they are disabled.
The professionals who created these categories simply named symptoms, symptom combinations, which may arise from many different factors. They are not providing a report card on the child's entire personality, but rather identifying phenomena based on certain aspects, for which therapeutic and developmental experts can propose solutions.
A diagnosis merely identifies certain points of difficulty, nothing more.
No expert would say that a dyslexic Tomiká can never become an excellent biologist, or that little Tamara's difficulty with math will prevent her from being a great dancer. Why would they? A learning disorder or a specific skill disorder—especially if the child receives developmental support—cannot prevent the talent hidden within them from flourishing. So, when faced with a diagnosis, we should not take it as a judgment. Be glad that we now know where our child needs help. Through development, not only can their developmental delays be addressed, but their exceptional abilities can also emerge.
Recognizing and addressing learning disorders in childhood is key to preventing their long-term effects. With proper intervention and support, children can overcome their current difficulties and also have the opportunity to be successful and content as adults. Adults with learning disabilities often struggle with issues such as low self-esteem, workplace stress, or even social difficulties, especially if they didn't receive the necessary support during their early years. Therefore, it is crucial not to view a diagnosis as a sentence but rather as an opportunity to strengthen the child's capabilities and prepare them for a successful adult life. With proper development, not only can their challenges be overcome, but their inherent talents can also emerge, which is essential for their personal and professional success later in life.
Do you feel the need for a clarifying conversation? Do you have doubts or questions? You can reach me at the following contact details:
Let me know if there is anything else I can help with! :
Török Nóra +36304820428 e-mail: movingisyourgrowing@gmail.com
Resources:
Students with Disabilities, Learning Difficulties and Disadvantages Statistics and Indicators OECD Publishing 2008
Learning and Learning Difficulties Approaches to Teaching and Assessment, Peter Westwood 2013 Published by Taylor&Francis
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