Expert believes solidarity will overcome learning disabilities

Does your child experience anxiety when having to complete tasks, have self-critical comments or dread going to school? Is reading harder than it should be, or do they refuse to do an assignment in class? According to Very Well Family, these are some of the behavioural problems or reactions children with learning disabilities or disorders may exhibit.

Learning disabilities are common and can be defined as disorders that hinder one’s ability to understand, process and store information. The various types of learning disabilities are dyscalculia, dyslexia, attention deficit hyper-activity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia, non-verbal learning disabilities and more.

Dyscalculia is described as a disorder that affects a person’s mathematical capabilities. Dyslexia affects a learner’s ability to read and understand a text, while ADHD is a condition where a person may have inattentiveness, impulsivity and hyper- activity. Dyspraxia refers to difficulties with movement and coordination, where a child may experience challenges cutting, writing or running and jumping. Non-verbal learning disabilities refer to problems with identifying and processing non-verbal cues like facial expressions.

According to mental health, learning disabilities can be inherited or caused by chromosomal abnormalities, the neglect or lack of mental stimulation early in life or an effect of sensory or physical impairment.

Marinda Neethling, a senior lecturer at the North-West University learner support, inclusive education and early childhood education (ECCE), provides an understanding of learning disabilities and how parents/guardians and the schooling community can help children with learning disabilities. She explains that every disability is unique to each individual, so when the curriculum is taught, the child’s contextual barriers should be considered. These limitations include their environment, socio- economic background, the availability of various resources and language barriers.

Neethling says the first step towards enabling these learners is coming together as a community and supporting and embracing one another. She says teachers and parents also play a big part in helping a child avoid or manage learning disabilities. One of the methods can be through doing activities with the child, even if there is a lack of resources.

She suggests that teachers and parents should look into innovative ways to stimulate their children, like creating recycled educational toys. She also appeals to schools to provide more training opportunities for parents and teachers. Neethling emphasised the importance of early cognitive stimulation, like at an early childhood development centre or daycare facility, which should start when the child is still an infant.

If learning disabilities are not managed or given the necessary attention, they may have a negative influence on the affected children’s daily life, especially at school. Children with learning disabilities may feel shame or be frustrated or anxious and may isolate themselves socially. This could also affect their confidence and self-belief. However, parents need to know that children with learning disabilities can and do succeed with the support of teachers, families and their community.

Neethling appeals to parents and teachers, to join hands and put their heads together for the benefit of the children.