Embracing Diversity in Learning

Dealing with Children with Learning Disabilities

The first time I heard about it was when I started teaching.

Learning disability.

It’s not until a few years back that learning disability was given any weightage or acknowledgement by the parents or educators. It was often blamed on the students and their disinterest.

Understanding learning disability is absolutely essential for both the parents and the educators, especially those teaching in the primary grades.

The primary grade educators are in the position to identify the earliest indicators and help with the timely diagnosis and intervention to help the child.

It needs a keen eye to notice LDs like dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia or ADHD as the children are still developing their skills and growing.

Some may be slow learners or plain disinterested to be involved in the classroom. Some may be visual learners, some auditory or kinaesthetic learners.

Sometimes an innovative way of teaching is all that’s needed to get them interested.

It’s for the educator to try various learning processes to evaluate the child.

The conventional methods of teaching (nothing against them per se) are rigid and structured to such an extent that they don’t leave room for individual thinking or growth.

All the children are at the same starting line. For the next decade or so, they run the same race. Their strengths, aptitudes and interests are cast side.

It’s an undeniable fact that at school, your value is determined by the grades you get. That the child excels on the field or is an exceptional artist or gifted musician is irrelevant.

This can leave a long term impact on the child. It can affect their self-esteem and confidence. The constant ridicule may alienate them from the rest of the classmates and friends.

It’s not just children but many adults too are ignorant about LDs. It’s often confused with mental instability or other psychological problems.

It’s sad what these children have to go through every day. It’s not their fault they’ve a disability. Some of my best students have been those who had disabilities, and they didn’t let it affect them.

All that’s needed from the parents is lots and lots of support and belief in them.

The educators can assist by creating a supporting learning environment. A system which must focus on their strengths and use teaching methods that align with their requirements.

Patience and understanding are key to succeeding. Your emotional support is what helps the child rebuild their confidence.

Once out of the academic circus, these children do well in their adult life. That’s because they no longer have to struggle with societal expectations of grades.

They’ve learned to face obstacles and know how to deal with them, and they can now use their strengths and succeed.

You want role models who have LDs? There are plenty in every field. Tom Cruise, Richard Branson and Whoopi Goldberg all are dyslexic; Michael Phelps began swimming to help him cope with ADHD; Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, has dyscalculia (though not officially confirmed).

These children with learning disabilities are fighters. Don’t underestimate them. Support them. Believe in them. And watch them rise like the phoenix.

Hey, I’m Gomati Sekhar Ghosh, a writer, blogger and lots more.

Your support and love for my stories has been inspiring. You can subscribe so you don’t miss out on any of the stories.

How about taking this connection further? Also subscribe to my bi-monthly newsletter, Tuesday Toots, to discuss bringing up children in a mindful way.