Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities Awareness
October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month as well as specifically Dyslexia Awareness Month. Many people likely don’t have an accurate picture of what learning disabilities look like or are like to experience. Although they may not be well understood by the general public, learning disabilities have ranges, and are extremely common. Without addressing their learning disorders, kids and students are at a disadvantage compared to kids without. Learning about things like dyslexia and raising awareness helps these kids get the right processes in place for them to reach their maximum potential. We can all contribute just by learning about learning disabilities!
What Are Learning Disabilities?
There are different kinds of learning disabilities and differences between each one. Three particular diagnoses even have similar names: Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia. For these three disabilities, it consolidates to three areas of learning - reading, writing, and numbers.
Those with Dyslexia have difficulties with reading, those with Dysgraphia have difficulties with writing, and those with Dyscalculia have difficulties with math. Learning disabilities are often present alongside other behavioral or attention disorders like ADHD.
What is Dyslexia?
Sometimes kids have Dyslexia and have trouble with reading and spelling, but they may also struggle with writing and math. It can present itself in many different forms, such as having trouble identifying individual sounds that make up words, or issues with comprehension. A therapist can provide an evaluation if you think your child may have dyslexia.
In school, there are ways to implement support to address the specific issues of learning. Your therapist may also be able to recommend supplemental treatment for any associated behavioral or developmental issues present. Parents, teachers, and providers can work together for the best outcome for the kids.
SLPs (speech-language pathologists) have wide-ranging areas of treatment which include speech and language skills, but also address learning disorders like Dyslexia, auditory processing disorders, social communication, and general skills of listening, speaking, and reading.
1 in 5 Students
While sometimes misunderstood, learning disabilities are very common. About 1 in 5 students were reported to have a learning disability in 2015. A sign that your child might be struggling with a learning disability is their continued effort without gaining the skills they should be learning. Usually kids are still motivated to learn, but encounter heightened difficulties.
You might notice your child reverses letters in words or words in a sentence. For the little ones, they might have trouble sorting by shape, color, size, etc. Organization is another way in which you can determine a learning disability is present - sometimes kids with learning disabilities have trouble following directions or keeping things organized.
While fine motor skills are developing, you can engage in activities that involve cutting, tracing, writing, or drawing to practice these skills but also to gain insight into your child’s difficulties. You can find great examples of activities you can do together recommended by our team in our Resources section.
Impact on Kids & Students
Any kids or students who are not receiving help for their learning disability during formative years is at a disadvantage. Different learning processes should not provide a hindrance to someone in their attempt to learn, especially if they are motivated about their education. When kids feel frustrated when attempting things like reading, it can cause them to want to release their upset emotions. Letting out their frustrations can manifest in many different ways, so it is important to remember that some kids lash out, some withdraw, and some reach out to others.
Behavioral disorders and emotional disorders can present themselves in kids with learning disabilities, so it is important to consider the overall health and wellness of your child. Your therapist can help with evaluations and recommend courses of action to move forward.
How We Can Raise Awareness
It is easy to help raise awareness about learning disabilities. The first step is to learn more about them so the stigma associated with them can be reduced and removed. While learning disorders are very common, they are still very misunderstood. Educating yourself even if you don’t know anyone who has a learning disability helps increase awareness and understanding of these disabilities. The more people understand what they are all about, the more we can encourage kids and people experiencing difficulties learning to reach out and work toward a solution instead of withdrawing themselves or giving up.
This month, we’re raising awareness about Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia to help parents understand how to recognize them in early childhood or later, but also to provide resources so parents understand that they are eligible for special services. In Nevada, the Nevada PEP provides services to those with disabilities and their families through education, encouragement, and empowerment. Learn more about their resources and contact them for more assistance.
Join in the conversation on social media! Follow along with the resources and monthly awareness features on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to help us share.
At Tilton’s Therapy for Tots, parents can find resources to help them on their journey with their kids health and development. Our therapists can provide evaluations to help determine the best treatment plan for your children. Our team facilitates treatment for occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get the latest articles, parent resources, activities, and more.
Have a question? Contact our team or learn more about registering a patient with Tilton’s.
Additional Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/learning-disorder.html
