Diagnosing a Learning Disability
Learning disabilities can be hard to diagnose, because there is no definitive list of symptoms that fits every child. Also, many children try to hide the problem. You may not notice anything more obvious than frequent complaints about homework or a child who doesn’t want to go to school.
However, the following may be signs of a learning disorder:
- Lack of enthusiasm for reading or writing
- Trouble memorizing things
- Working at a slow pace
- Trouble following directions
- Trouble staying focused on a task
- Difficulty understanding abstract ideas
- Lack of attention to detail, or too much attention to detail
- Poor social skills
- Disruptiveness
If you suspect a learning disorder, talk to your child’s pediatrician or teacher about having your child evaluated. It may be necessary to see several specialists before you get a definitive diagnosis. These specialists might include a clinicalpsychologist, a school psychologist, a developmental psychologist, an occupational therapist, or a speech and language therapist, depending on the problems your child is having. They will perform a variety of tests and assessments to get to the bottom of the problem.