Recognising & Coping with Learning Disorders

Learning disorder [LD] is an information-processing problem that prevents a person from learning a skill and using it effectively. Learning disorders generally affect people of average or above-average intelligence. As a result, the disorder appears as a gap between expected skills, based on age and intelligence, and academic performance. Many children may struggle in school with some topics or skills from time to time. When children try hard and still struggle with a specific set of skills over time, it could be a sign of a LD. Having a LD means that a child has difficulty in one or more areas of learning, even when overall intelligence or motivation is not affected.

Factors that might influence the development of learning disorders include:

• Family history and genetics. A family history of learning disorders increases the risk of a child developing a disorder.
• Prenatal and neonatal risks. Poor growth in the uterus (severe intrauterine growth restriction), exposure to alcohol or drugs before being born, premature birth, and very low birth weight have been linked with learning disorders.
• Psychological trauma. Psychological trauma or abuse in early childhood may affect brain development and increase the risk of LD
• Physical trauma. Head injuries or nervous system infections might play a role in the development of LD.
• Environmental exposure. Exposure to high levels of toxins, such as lead, has been linked to an increased risk of learning disorders.

Some of the symptoms of learning disorders are

• Difficulty telling right from left
• Reversing letters, words, or numbers, after first or second grade

• Difficulties recognizing patterns or sorting items by size or shape
• Difficulty understanding and following instructions or staying organized
• Difficulty remembering what was just said or what was just read
• Lacking coordination when moving around
• Difficulty doing tasks with the hands, like writing, cutting, or drawing
• Difficulty understanding the concept of time

At Jeevaniyam, we use our specialized and individualised Ayurvedic approach for the treatment for learning disorders for children with LD who often need extra help and instruction that are specialized for them. Having a LD can qualify a child for special education services in our facility. A team of professionals, including a doctor, a psychologist, special education teacher, occupational therapist, social worker or nurse will constantly monitor and improve the child’s improvement in all aspects.