908-770-2505

Orton-Gillingham Training

The Importance of Early and Correct Diagnosis of Learning Disabilities

A learning disability affects the coordination and function of the brain to receive and process information. People with learning disabilities tend to have trouble comprehending basic skills such as reading, writing, speaking and understanding directions. They may see, hear or understand things differently than other people making it difficult to stay focused in class or study for a test. Some parents tend to ignore these problems in children until they start reflecting in their test performance or school reports from their teachers.

Learning disabilities do not just fade away but rather, they may grow more problematic if nothing is done to handle the problem in time. When time is allowed to pass, a child with learning disabilities may become more frustrated because they lack confidence in everything they do no matter how hard they try. However, if a learning disability is recognized and accepted at an early stage, you can take the necessary steps needed to provide the child with life skills needed for a successful life, as they advance through adulthood. This article looks into the importance of early and correct diagnosis of learning disabilities.

 

Recognizing the Signs of Learning Disabilities

 

While learning disabilities may be recognized at all ages, it is always important to carry out a correct diagnosis as soon as possible to prevent the situation from worsening further. Parents need to be aware of developmental milestones in their children such as talking or walking. Understanding the early signs of learning disabilities can help you have a correct diagnosis in children of different ages. Some of the signs include difficulties pronouncing or sounding out words.
If a kid has problems learning the meaning of new words, they will find it difficult to follow instructions or respond to questions. As time passes by, they develop a difficulty explaining g what they want and may become frustrated or angered easily because no one seems to understand what they are going through.

 

What is the Importance of Early and Correct Diagnosis of Learning Disabilities?

 

Improved Outcomes

 

Early detection of learning disabilities in a child can help specialists come up with methods to improve communication and behavior management techniques that will help them associate better with other children. As a result, it improves a child’s ability to reach his or her academic potential when they are included in regular education classrooms. Research shows that if detected early, learning disabilities can be corrected, which helps improve outcomes in the affected children as their minds continue to adapt to the new skills acquired.

 

Prevents the Development of Low Self-Esteem

 

Children with learning disabilities may feel isolated or unwanted by other kids, probably because they are not performing well in class or cannot understand basic skills such as reading, writing and speaking. Most of the time they tend to have no friends since no one understands their situation. Early diagnosis of learning disability in a child prevents them from developing low self-esteem. It does so by boosting their self-confidence in solving basic problems and improving their communication skills to socialize well with other children.

 

Prevention of Secondary Symptoms

 

Individuals with learning disabilities usually develop aggression, isolation, tantrums, and even self-injury. Although these behaviors may not be considered in the diagnostic criteria for children with learning disabilities, they are actually secondary symptoms that develop due to failure of addressing the primary symptoms. Most of these disruptive behaviors often have a communicative function. Early intervention helps to avoid, reduce or eliminate these secondary symptoms when it is focused on educating them on functionally equivalent replacement behaviors.

 

Reduces Stress in Parents

 

Parents are always the first people to notice a developmental problem in their children. However, there is coinciding stress in parents who have a child with a learning disability. Most parents may descend into deeper levels of depression and other health problems without any intervention to address atypical behaviors in their children. Providing parents with the necessary tools to address the symptoms of learning disabilities in their children gives them empowerment and self-confidence that their kids can cope with their daily life.

Although most learning disabilities are often considered a lifelong condition, many researchers have documented case examples of affected children whose symptoms were suppressed to a point where they fit a typical range. With early and correct diagnosis, some of these children can eventually function without special support. The goal of most parents and professionals is to alleviate the symptoms that could affect their child’s ability to socialize with friends and family and live a decent life.