@ Dr Morayo Jimoh Understanding Learning Disabilities in Children by Morayo Jimoh Phd, CPsychol Chrisland School, VGC 1 st February 2013

@ Dr Morayo Jimoh@ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Understanding Learning Understanding Learning Disabilities in ChildrenDisabilities in Children

byby

Morayo Jimoh Phd, Morayo Jimoh Phd, CPsycholCPsychol

Chrisland School, VGCChrisland School, VGC

11stst February 2013 February 2013


What is Learning Disability (LD)What is Learning Disability (LD)

• Learning Disability is a neurological Learning Disability is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s disorder that affects the brain’s ability to receive, process, respond to ability to receive, process, respond to information, store and retrieve information, store and retrieve information.information.

• LD may be mild, moderate or severeLD may be mild, moderate or severe


What is Learning Disability What is Learning Disability (contd.)(contd.)

LD can affect a person’s ability in these LD can affect a person’s ability in these areasareas

• Listening Listening • SpeakingSpeaking• ReadingReading• WritingWriting• SpellingSpelling• ReasoningReasoning• MathematicsMathematics


Types of Learning DisabilityTypes of Learning Disability

• DyslexiaDyslexia

• DysgraphiaDysgraphia

• DyspraxiaDyspraxia

• DyscalculiaDyscalculia


DyslexiaDyslexia

• Dyslexia is an inherited condition that Dyslexia is an inherited condition that makes it extremely difficult to read, write, makes it extremely difficult to read, write, and spell in your native language despite and spell in your native language despite at least average intelligence.at least average intelligence.

• Dyslexia is a neurological-based, often Dyslexia is a neurological-based, often familial disorder which interferes with familial disorder which interferes with acquisition and processing of language acquisition and processing of language (International Dyslexia Association)(International Dyslexia Association)

• It is manifested in receptive and expressive It is manifested in receptive and expressive language, reading, writing and spelling.language, reading, writing and spelling.


Dyslexia contd.Dyslexia contd.

• Dyslexia is not the result of lack of Dyslexia is not the result of lack of motivation, inadequate instructional motivation, inadequate instructional or environmental opportunities, or or environmental opportunities, or other limiting conditions, but may other limiting conditions, but may occur together with these condition.occur together with these condition.


Warning signs of DyslexiaWarning signs of Dyslexia(No two people with dyslexia (No two people with dyslexia are exactly alike)are exactly alike)• Delayed speech: Not speaking any word by the first Delayed speech: Not speaking any word by the first

birthday. Often, They don’t start talking until they 2, 3 or birthday. Often, They don’t start talking until they 2, 3 or even older;even older;

• Mixing up multi-syllabic words for example aminal for Mixing up multi-syllabic words for example aminal for animal, bisgetti for spagetti;animal, bisgetti for spagetti;

• Lots of ear infection; Lots of ear infection; • Can’t master tying shoes;Can’t master tying shoes;• Confusion over left versus right; before versus after; over Confusion over left versus right; before versus after; over

versus under;versus under;• Late to establish a dominant hand;Late to establish a dominant hand;• Difficulty learning names of letters and sounds in the Difficulty learning names of letters and sounds in the

alphabet; Difficulty writing alphabet in order;alphabet; Difficulty writing alphabet in order;• Trouble articulating R’s and L’s as well as M’s and N’s. They Trouble articulating R’s and L’s as well as M’s and N’s. They

may still be saying “wed” instead of “red” and “gween” may still be saying “wed” instead of “red” and “gween” instead of “green”.instead of “green”.


Dyslexia sign contd.Dyslexia sign contd.

• Can read a word on one page, but won’t Can read a word on one page, but won’t recognise it on the next page;recognise it on the next page;

• Becomes tired after reading a short time;Becomes tired after reading a short time;• Substitutes similar looking words for Substitutes similar looking words for

example house for horse, while for white.example house for horse, while for white.• Their spelling is far worse than their Their spelling is far worse than their

reading;reading;• Misspells even when copying from the board Misspells even when copying from the board

or from a book;or from a book;• Numerous erasures and cross outsNumerous erasures and cross outs


Causes of DsylexiaCauses of Dsylexia

• Dyslexia is an inherited conditionDyslexia is an inherited condition


Research results on Research results on DyslexiaDyslexia• Dyslexia affects at 1 out of every 5 children (United Dyslexia affects at 1 out of every 5 children (United

States).States).• Dyslexia represents the most common and Dyslexia represents the most common and

prevalent of all know learning Disablitiesprevalent of all know learning Disablities• Early intervention is essential for this populationEarly intervention is essential for this population• Dyslexia is identifiable , with 92% accuracy, at Dyslexia is identifiable , with 92% accuracy, at

ages 51/2 to 6 1/2/.ages 51/2 to 6 1/2/.• Children do not outgrow reading failure or dyslexiaChildren do not outgrow reading failure or dyslexia• Dyslexia and ADD/ADHD are two separate and Dyslexia and ADD/ADHD are two separate and

identifiable entities.identifiable entities.• Dyslexia and ADD?ADHD so frequently coexist in Dyslexia and ADD?ADHD so frequently coexist in

the same child that it is always best to test for the same child that it is always best to test for both.both.


Research results for Dyslexia Research results for Dyslexia contd.contd.

• Children with both dyslexia and Children with both dyslexia and ADD/ADHD are at dramatically ADD/ADHD are at dramatically increased risk for substance abuse increased risk for substance abuse and felony convictions if they do not and felony convictions if they do not receive appropriate interventions receive appropriate interventions (NIH, 1994) (NIH, 1994)


DysgraphiaDysgraphia

• Dysgraphia is a learning disability Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing.that affects writing.

• It can lead to poor handwriting, It can lead to poor handwriting, problem with spelling, and putting problem with spelling, and putting thoughts on paper.thoughts on paper.

• People with dysgraphia might have People with dysgraphia might have trouble organizing letters, numbers trouble organizing letters, numbers and words on a line.and words on a line.


Causes of DysgraphiaCauses of Dysgraphia

• Brain damageBrain damage

• Physical illness or deformityPhysical illness or deformity

• Intentionally poor penmanshipIntentionally poor penmanship

• No or inadequate instructionNo or inadequate instruction

• DisorientationDisorientation

• Multiple mental imagesMultiple mental images

• Inadequate natural orientation.Inadequate natural orientation.


Signs of DysgraphiaSigns of Dysgraphia

• Has trouble with buttons and zippers;Has trouble with buttons and zippers;

• Trouble lacing shoes;Trouble lacing shoes;

• Has trouble connecting dots;Has trouble connecting dots;

• Has strong verbal skills;Has strong verbal skills;

• Doesn’t like lego or other small Doesn’t like lego or other small blocksblocks


DyspraxiaDyspraxia

• Dyspraxia is a disorder that affects motor Dyspraxia is a disorder that affects motor skill development.skill development.

• People with dyspraxia have trouble People with dyspraxia have trouble planning and completing fine motor tasks.planning and completing fine motor tasks.

• Examples waving good bye and brushing Examples waving good bye and brushing of teeth.of teeth.

• It is not a learning disability but often It is not a learning disability but often coexist with other LDs and conditions that coexist with other LDs and conditions that impact learning.impact learning.


Signs and symptoms of Signs and symptoms of dyspraxiadyspraxia

The child may take very longer than The child may take very longer than other children to:other children to:

• SitSit

• CrawlCrawl

• WalkWalk

• SpeakSpeak

• StandStand


Signs of dyspraxia contdSigns of dyspraxia contd

• Build up vocabularyBuild up vocabulary

• Speak in articulate mannerSpeak in articulate manner

• Difficulties with concentrationDifficulties with concentration

• Does not follow instructionsDoes not follow instructions


General causes of LDGeneral causes of LD

• GeneticsGenetics• Factors in pregnancy e.g. drug and alcohol Factors in pregnancy e.g. drug and alcohol

consumption;consumption;• Factors during delivery e.g. trauma during Factors during delivery e.g. trauma during

delivery;delivery;• Early childhood factors e.g. seizures, Early childhood factors e.g. seizures,

infection of the cns;infection of the cns;• Brain trauma or tumoursBrain trauma or tumours• Idiopathy Idiopathy


Disorder that can make Disorder that can make learning difficultlearning difficult

• ADD/ADHDADD/ADHD

• Anxiety DisorderAnxiety Disorder

• Childhood depressionChildhood depression

• AutismAutism


ADD/ADHDADD/ADHD

• ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by significant difficulties of characterized by significant difficulties of attention or hyperactivity and attention or hyperactivity and impulsiveness or a combination of the two.impulsiveness or a combination of the two.

• It is the most commonly studied and It is the most commonly studied and research psychiatric disorder in children.research psychiatric disorder in children.

• It affects 3 to 5 percent of children globally.It affects 3 to 5 percent of children globally.• Children with ADHD have problem sitting Children with ADHD have problem sitting

still, staying focused, following instructions, still, staying focused, following instructions, staying organised and completing staying organised and completing homework.homework.


Types of ADHD (3 types)Types of ADHD (3 types)

• ADHD combined type (both ADHD combined type (both inattention and hyperactivity-inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms);impulsivity symptoms);

• ADHD predominantly inattentive type ADHD predominantly inattentive type ( inattention and at least 6 out of 9 ( inattention and at least 6 out of 9 hyperactivity impulsivity symptom);hyperactivity impulsivity symptom);

• ADHD predominantly hyperactive-ADHD predominantly hyperactive-impulsivity type.impulsivity type.


Anxiety Disorder in childrenAnxiety Disorder in children

• Anxiety disorders are considered to Anxiety disorders are considered to be on of the most common be on of the most common psychiatric disorders affecting psychiatric disorders affecting children and adolescents.children and adolescents.

• Studies have indicated that fewer Studies have indicated that fewer than 20% receive treatment.than 20% receive treatment.


Consequences of Anxiety Consequences of Anxiety DisordersDisorders

• School absencesSchool absences

• Impaired relations with peersImpaired relations with peers

• Poor self esteemPoor self esteem

• Alcohol and drug useAlcohol and drug use


Childhood depressionChildhood depression

• It is often hard to identify depression It is often hard to identify depression in children because it often mimics in children because it often mimics the following disorders:the following disorders:

• Inattention;Inattention;

• Impulsivity;Impulsivity;

• Aggression; andAggression; and

• Learning problemLearning problem


Signs and symptoms of Signs and symptoms of childhood depressionchildhood depression• Easily comes to tears, feeling sadEasily comes to tears, feeling sad• Feeling worthlessFeeling worthless• Irritable and often in a bad moodIrritable and often in a bad mood• Increased in aggressive behavioursIncreased in aggressive behaviours• Difficulty staying stillDifficulty staying still• Decreased energy and easily fatiguedDecreased energy and easily fatigued• Decrease in academic performanceDecrease in academic performance• Changes in eating behaviour Changes in eating behaviour • Changes in sleep behaviourChanges in sleep behaviour


Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)(ASD)• ASD are brain based disorders that affect a ASD are brain based disorders that affect a

person’s behaviour, as well as social and person’s behaviour, as well as social and communication skills.communication skills.

• Children with Autism can have trouble in Children with Autism can have trouble in the following area:the following area:

• Communicating;Communicating;• Reading body language;Reading body language;• Learning basic skills;Learning basic skills;• Making eye contact; andMaking eye contact; and• Making friendsMaking friends


Assessment and DiagnosisAssessment and Diagnosis

• Diagnosing a learning disability is not Diagnosing a learning disability is not so easy.so easy.

• It is a process.It is a process.

• It involves testing, history taking, It involves testing, history taking, and observation by a trained and observation by a trained specialist.specialist.


Types of specialists who may Types of specialists who may be able to diagnose learning be able to diagnose learning disabilitydisability• Child & Educational psychologistsChild & Educational psychologists

• NeuropsychologistsNeuropsychologists

• Child psychiatristsChild psychiatrists

• Developmental psychologistsDevelopmental psychologists

• Clinical psychologistsClinical psychologists

• PsychometristsPsychometrists

• Occupational therapist (test sensory Occupational therapist (test sensory disorders that can lead to learning problem)disorders that can lead to learning problem)


SolutionsSolutions

• Assessment and diagnosisAssessment and diagnosis

• TreatmentTreatment


Assessment and Diagnosis Assessment and Diagnosis contd.contd.

• Sometimes several professional Sometimes several professional coordinate themselves as a team to coordinate themselves as a team to obtain an accurate diagnosis.obtain an accurate diagnosis.

• Recommendations can then be made Recommendations can then be made for special education.for special education.


TreatmentTreatment

• Neuropsychological therapy (CBT)Neuropsychological therapy (CBT)

• Biofeedback Biofeedback

• NeurofeedbackNeurofeedback

• Medications ( Ritalin & other Medications ( Ritalin & other antipsychotics are being currently antipsychotics are being currently used to treat AD/HD)used to treat AD/HD)

• Other brain based therapiesOther brain based therapies


Tips on how parents can help Tips on how parents can help their children with LDtheir children with LD

• Learn the specifics about your child’s Learn the specifics about your child’s learning disability;learning disability;

• Research treatment, services and Research treatment, services and new theories;new theories;

• Pursue treatment and services at Pursue treatment and services at home;home;

• Nurture your child’s strength. Nurture your child’s strength.


Tips for schools on LDsTips for schools on LDs

• Schools should not wait too long Schools should not wait too long before they send children suspected before they send children suspected for LDs for proper evaluation by for LDs for proper evaluation by professionals. professionals.

• It may seem that many children are It may seem that many children are not evaluated properly and by that not evaluated properly and by that time there are major gaps in their time there are major gaps in their learning and acquisition.learning and acquisition.

• Early intervention is always the best.Early intervention is always the best.


• Children with learning Children with learning disabilities can, and do, succeeddisabilities can, and do, succeed


QuestionsQuestions

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For more informationFor more information

• www.mobilehealthconsult.comwww.mobilehealthconsult.com

• www.dyslexia.comwww.dyslexia.com

http://www.mobilehealthconsult.com/

http://www.dyslexia.com/

Documents

@ Dr Morayo Jimoh Understanding Learning Disabilities in Children by Morayo Jimoh Phd, CPsychol Chrisland School, VGC 1 st February 2013