Understanding Learning Disabilities in Children by Morayo Jimoh

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

What is Learning Disability (LD) • Learning Disability is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to receive, process, respond to information, store and retrieve information. • LD may be mild, moderate or severe @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

What is Learning Disability (contd. ) • • LD can affect a person’s ability in these areas Listening Speaking Reading Writing Spelling Reasoning Mathematics @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Types of Learning Disability • Dyslexia • Dysgraphia • Dyspraxia • Dyscalculia @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Dyslexia • Dyslexia is an inherited condition that makes it • • extremely difficult to read, write, and spell in your native language despite at least average intelligence. Dyslexia is a neurological-based, often familial disorder which interferes with acquisition and processing of language (International Dyslexia Association) It is manifested in receptive and expressive language, reading, writing and spelling. @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

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

Warning signs of Dyslexia (No two people with dyslexia are exactly alike) • Delayed speech: Not speaking any word by the first birthday. Often, • • They don’t start talking until they 2, 3 or even older; Mixing up multi-syllabic words for example aminal for animal, bisgetti for spagetti; Lots of ear infection; Can’t master tying shoes; Confusion over left versus right; before versus after; over versus under; Late to establish a dominant hand; Difficulty learning names of letters and sounds in the alphabet; Difficulty writing alphabet in order; 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” instead of “green”. @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Dyslexia sign contd. • Can read a word on one page, but won’t • • • recognise it on the next page; Becomes tired after reading a short time; Substitutes similar looking words for example house for horse, while for white. Their spelling is far worse than their reading; Misspells even when copying from the board or from a book; Numerous erasures and cross outs @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Causes of Dsylexia • Dyslexia is an inherited condition @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Research results on Dyslexia • Dyslexia affects at 1 out of every 5 children (United • • • States). Dyslexia represents the most common and prevalent of all know learning Disablities Early intervention is essential for this population Dyslexia is identifiable , with 92% accuracy, at ages 51/2 to 6 1/2/. Children do not outgrow reading failure or dyslexia Dyslexia and ADD/ADHD are two separate and identifiable entities. Dyslexia and ADD? ADHD so frequently coexist in the same child that it is always best to test for both. @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Research results for Dyslexia contd. • Children with both dyslexia and ADD/ADHD are at dramatically increased risk for substance abuse and felony convictions if they do not receive appropriate interventions (NIH, 1994) @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Dysgraphia • Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing. • It can lead to poor handwriting, problem with spelling, and putting thoughts on paper. • People with dysgraphia might have trouble organizing letters, numbers and words on a line. @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Causes of Dysgraphia • Brain damage • Physical illness or deformity • Intentionally poor penmanship • No or inadequate instruction • Disorientation • Multiple mental images • Inadequate natural orientation. @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Signs of Dysgraphia • Has trouble with buttons and zippers; • Trouble lacing shoes; • Has trouble connecting dots; • Has strong verbal skills; • Doesn’t like lego or other small blocks @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Dyspraxia • Dyspraxia is a disorder that affects motor skill • • • development. People with dyspraxia have trouble planning and completing fine motor tasks. Examples waving good bye and brushing of teeth. It is not a learning disability but often coexist with other LDs and conditions that impact learning. @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Signs and symptoms of dyspraxia The child may take very longer than other children to: • Sit • Crawl • Walk • Speak • Stand @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Signs of dyspraxia contd • Build up vocabulary • Speak in articulate manner • Difficulties with concentration • Does not follow instructions @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

General causes of LD • Genetics • Factors in pregnancy e. g. drug and alcohol • • consumption; Factors during delivery e. g. trauma during delivery; Early childhood factors e. g. seizures, infection of the cns; Brain trauma or tumours Idiopathy @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Disorder that can make learning difficult • ADD/ADHD • Anxiety Disorder • Childhood depression • Autism @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

ADD/ADHD • ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder • • • characterized by significant difficulties of attention or hyperactivity and impulsiveness or a combination of the two. It is the most commonly studied and research psychiatric disorder in children. It affects 3 to 5 percent of children globally. Children with ADHD have problem sitting still, staying focused, following instructions, staying organised and completing homework. @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Types of ADHD (3 types) • ADHD combined type (both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms); • ADHD predominantly inattentive type ( inattention and at least 6 out of 9 hyperactivity impulsivity symptom); • ADHD predominantly hyperactiveimpulsivity type. @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Anxiety Disorder in children • Anxiety disorders are considered to be on of the most common psychiatric disorders affecting children and adolescents. • Studies have indicated that fewer than 20% receive treatment. @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Consequences of Anxiety Disorders • School absences • Impaired relations with peers • Poor self esteem • Alcohol and drug use @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Childhood depression • It is often hard to identify depression in children because it often mimics the following disorders: • Inattention; • Impulsivity; • Aggression; and • Learning problem @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Signs and symptoms of childhood depression • Easily comes to tears, feeling sad • Feeling worthless • Irritable and often in a bad mood • Increased in aggressive behaviours • Difficulty staying still • Decreased energy and easily fatigued • Decrease in academic performance • Changes in eating behaviour • Changes in sleep behaviour @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) • ASD are brain based disorders that affect a • • • person’s behaviour, as well as social and communication skills. Children with Autism can have trouble in the following area: Communicating; Reading body language; Learning basic skills; Making eye contact; and Making friends @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Assessment and Diagnosis • Diagnosing a learning disability is not so easy. • It is a process. • It involves testing, history taking, and observation by a trained specialist. @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Types of specialists who may be able to diagnose learning disability • Child & Educational psychologists • Neuropsychologists • Child psychiatrists • Developmental psychologists • Clinical psychologists • Psychometrists • Occupational therapist (test sensory disorders that can lead to learning problem) @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Solutions • Assessment and diagnosis • Treatment @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Assessment and Diagnosis contd. • Sometimes several professional coordinate themselves as a team to obtain an accurate diagnosis. • Recommendations can then be made for special education. @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Treatment • Neuropsychological therapy (CBT) • Biofeedback • Neurofeedback • Medications ( Ritalin & other antipsychotics are being currently used to treat AD/HD) • Other brain based therapies @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Tips on how parents can help their children with LD • Learn the specifics about your child’s learning disability; • Research treatment, services and new theories; • Pursue treatment and services at home; • Nurture your child’s strength. @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Tips for schools on LDs • Schools should not wait too long before they send children suspected for LDs for proper evaluation by professionals. • It may seem that many children are not evaluated properly and by that time there are major gaps in their learning and acquisition. • Early intervention is always the best. @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

• Children with learning disabilities can, and do, succeed @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

Questions • Questions ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? • ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? @ Dr Morayo Jimoh

For more information • www. mobilehealthconsult. com • www. dyslexia. com @ Dr Morayo Jimoh