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7 Types Of Learning Difficulties Every Teacher Should Know

27th April 2021

Apart from the parents, teachers and educators are frequently the primary ones to notice that a child might have a learning difficulty. It’s important to be acquainted with how children learn and for special education teacher, identifying students with learning disabilities is critical. The educational psychology is an important aspect for a teaching professional. Sometimes, the signs are easy to spot and sometimes they don’t.

What is Learning Difficulty?

Learning difficulty is a kind of special educational need that constrains the aptitude to process and retain information. These can vary dramatically and for that, numerous children feel embarrassed that they are struggling to do things. A child or adult with a learning difficulty may need additional time and support in order to complete assignments at school.

It is crucial to understand that children with learning difficulties aren’t lazy or dumb. Learning difficulty is not a problem with intelligence or motivation, it’s just their brains work differently. The most common types of learning difficulties include complications with reading, writing, math, reasoning, listening, and speaking.

Here are 7 of the most common learning difficulties in classrooms today ---

Dyslexia

Perhaps, Dyslexia is one of the best-known learning difficulties. It is a learning special need that obstructs the child’s aptitude to read and understand a text. Some individuals struggle with phonemic responsiveness means they fail to distinguish the way words break down according to sound.

Similar difficulties can happen with phonological processing, where learners cannot differentiate between the alike word sounds. Other problems relate usually to articulacy, spelling, comprehension and more.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a common learning inhibition. Well, there are some debates going on as to whether or not ADHD is a learning difficulty in the most technical sense. ADHD learners can be easily unfocussed and frequently have trouble in traditional school backgrounds.

Professionals associate ADHD with the edifice of the brain, and there is a sign that ADHD may have a genetic factor as well. Unlike typical learning difficulties, ADHD can be magnificently treated with medications along with behavioural therapies.

Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia includes learning difficulties related to mathematical calculations basically. This can range from an incapability to order numbers appropriately and encompass to inadequate strategies for problem solving. People with dyscalculia find difficulties with math concepts, numbers, and reasoning aptitudes. Children with dyscalculia may have trouble with concepts like time, measurement or valuation.

Language Processing Special Need

Learning difficulties are also associated with processing discrepancies. This is a subdivision of auditory processing special need and arises when an individual has some specific challenges in processing the spoken language. According to the Learning Disabilities Association of America, “there is difficulty attaching meaning to sound groups that form words, sentences, and stories” in language processing special need.

Dysgraphia

Kids with dysgraphia have more trouble in translating their thoughts into writing or drawing. Poor handwriting is a sign of dysgraphia however, it is far from the only indication. Children with dysgraphia may display trouble with letter spacing, poor motor planning and longitudinal awareness, trouble in thinking and writing at the same time.

APD

Auditory processing disorder is another type of learning difficulty. In auditory processing disorder (APD), individuals have issues in processing sounds. Children with APD may complicate the order of sounds or may be inept to filter different sounds, like a teacher’s voice versus background sound. In auditory processing disorder, the brain misunderstands the information received and processed from the ear.

Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit

Children with visual perceptual/visual motor deficit show poor hand-eye synchronization. Sometimes, they often lose their places while reading, sometimes face struggle with pencils, crayons, glue, scissors, and other fine motor activities. They may also complicate similar looking letters, have trouble in directing their environments while sometimes establish infrequent eye activity when reading or completing coursework.

Understanding learning difficulties is critical to all with careers in the teaching sector. By understanding these types of learning difficulties with learning disabilities program, it is possible to find practicable solutions so that every student can succeed in the classroom.

Written By: Bindita Sinha