How to deal with a child who suffers from developmental learning difficulties

We must have heard about the term developmental learning difficulties , especially for children in their early stages, which affects their educational path later on.

But what are developmental learning difficulties ? Do they only occur in children or can adults also suffer from them? What are their symptoms and causes? In addition to how to treat and deal with them?

We will learn about all this and more in our current article about developmental learning difficulties and how to deal with a child who suffers from developmental learning difficulties.

What are developmental learning disabilities?

Developmental learning disabilities are a form of mental developmental disorder that a child suffers from at an early age, and which may remain with him throughout his life.

These disorders can often be treated and improved by doing a number of activities and practices that in turn reduce their severity and treat them completely.

Developmental learning disabilities are a deficiency in the ability to acquire the basic skills that a child needs, such as perception and the ability to analyze speech properly.

These skills are important and any deficiency in them, especially in the early stages of a child’s life, may lead to negative results, especially on the academic level.

Symptoms of developmental learning difficulties in children

As we mentioned earlier, developmental learning difficulties are considered a disorder in the child’s basic learning skills, which creates difficulties in academic education later on, but what are the symptoms of these disorders:

Learning difficulties are divided into two categories: developmental learning difficulties and academic learning difficulties .

First: Developmental learning difficulties , which are divided into two sections:

• Primary learning difficulties: which express the occurrence of a disorder or malfunction in the basic functions of the brain, such as memory, concentration, and perception.
• Secondary learning difficulties: which include mental problems related to the ability to think and analyze and difficulties with spoken language.

Second: Academic learning difficulties , which include the problems that the child suffers from in school as a result of developmental learning difficulties, such as:

• Due to the disorders that children suffer from in learning spoken language, which results in reading problems , the child finds himself unable to connect between sounds and letters of the alphabet.
• Therefore, he has problems with writing as well, as he finds it difficult to link sounds and letters together, and he has difficulty concentrating on what he is writing or thinking while writing.
• Among these writing problems is also the weakness of the ability to spell or express oneself in writing, whether it is difficulties in forming a sentence with a logical sequence, or even adhering to the rules of grammar and morphology.

• Mathematical learning difficulties : in which the child suffers from problems in mathematics or arithmetic, as a result of his difficulty in being able to perceive the value of numbers and perform arithmetic operations.

The child may also suffer from other difficulties as a result, such as:

• Inability to express oneself properly.
• Inability to properly analyze the speech directed at him, which leads to giving responses that may not be appropriate to the situation.
• Difficulty with perception, so it is difficult for him to know what to do in certain situations.
• Frequent forgetfulness.
• Inability to concentrate and quickly distracted.
• Hyperactivity, sometimes tending towards aggression and irritability.
• Difficulty in being able to integrate with those around him and make friends.
• The child is hypersensitive and has quick emotions.
• Slow learning in general.

The degree of developmental learning difficulties in children varies according to the conditions, surrounding influences, and age groups.

Causes of a child being exposed to developmental learning difficulties disorders

There are various factors and causes that lead to the emergence of developmental learning difficulties in children, including:

Some negative habits of parents may negatively affect the child.

Such as problems that may occur during pregnancy or childbirth, such as lack of oxygen.

Problems in the maturation process.

Or taking some medications that may negatively affect the child or fetus.

As a result of environmental pollutants that may occur to the mother as a result of malnutrition, exposure to infection or some diseases that may lead to inflammation or an increase in the temperature of the mother or child.

Or if the child suffers sensitive injuries that may affect brain functions, such as head trauma, etc.

Or any brain disorder of any kind or for any genetic, hereditary or other reason

Some psychological factors such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder may cause a decrease in the ability to concentrate, perceive, or even the ability to think or analyze properly.

How can developmental learning difficulties in children be treated and dealt with?

It is very important if more than two of these symptoms are observed that the child is treated in a special way.

• You should try to follow a program that is suitable for the child, this program includes some positive habits, and adding some practices that may stimulate his brain more.
• An educational plan can also be followed, in which case it is important that the child with developmental learning difficulties receive personal attention.

This is done by taking some intensive educational courses and targeting the child intensively at school.

• Encourage him to socialize with his peers or try to make him more interactive and participate in mental and motor activities.
• Continuous support for the child is very important and realizing that the treatment phase requires time, effort and patience.
• Doing and continuing educational activities and practices that improve the child's academic skills on a daily basis.
• In some cases where it is difficult to start treatment with the practice method, the child may need to take some medications as a focus stimulant, or if there are some forms of excessive emotionality.
• Constant awareness, and parents should try as much as possible to research these disorders and how to deal with them.
• It is also important to follow up with specialists or consultants, whether in the field of behavioral modification.
  Educational, or academic specialists, such as reading, writing, or mathematics.
• Be sure to follow up and monitor the child’s behavior, in addition to providing appropriate care for him, and making sure he eats healthy food.
• It is possible to use interactive games that activate his senses and target specific centers in the brain, such as concentration and perception.

You can also get the right support and guidance from School.com:

• Which includes a qualified and experienced group of educational and behavior modification specialists, who have the experience to provide appropriate advice and guidance for your child.
• In addition to a group of academic teachers to help your child enhance his academic skills.
• Building an educational and teaching program appropriate to the child’s condition, whatever it may be.
• Using educational tools based on the child’s interests that suit him.
• Delivering information in a way that suits the child.
• Analyzing the child's personal characteristics and based on that, knowing the educational and behavioral methods that suit him.
• Providing the necessary guidance and instructions that parents and those around the child should know.
• Continuous follow-up with specialists and teachers in case of any inquiries.
• Consultations and educational courses are completely online, so you do not need to leave your home or be in a specific place at a specific time to receive the consultation or course.
• Communicate directly with specialists and teachers.
• Providing the necessary support and encouragement to the child.