Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) is the general name of the diagnosis. Learning disorder, which is known as Dyslexia among the people, is actually seen in three areas.
DYSLEXIA: Reading disorder,
Dysgraphia: Writing disorder,
DYSCALCULIA; It is a disorder in the field of mathematics. These disorders can occur alone or together.
SLD is not an intelligence problem. It means that there is a problem in one or more of the above-mentioned areas, although the child is at an appropriate intelligence level for their age.
In general, in children with SLD:
-Late speech or speech disorders in developmental processes,
-Delays in motor development,
-Direction and time concept development problems,
-Mobility or slowness,
-Reluctance in learning processes,
-Problems in gaining responsibility,
-Disorders in brain functions that affect learning such as attention,
-Delays in using and organizing time,
-Problems in reasoning and explaining events in a proper order,
-Behavioral problems are observed.
SLD is generally noticed by teachers and families after the child starts school, that is, during the academic development process. However, learning is a life-long process that starts with the birth of the child. Giving the child enough stimuli, correct processing of role model features, games for communication with the child It is very valuable for the physical, social, psychological and cognitive development of the child to play, to provide adequate environments with their peers, and to spend active time with the child.
Although SLD actually shows its symptoms with the disruptions in the developmental processes I mentioned above as of infancy, it is generally not very noticeable and the belief that it will improve over time is generally dominant.
If the child entering the school process is in SLD distress,
-Not wanting to go to school, physical complaints,
-Extreme anger, aggression,
-Anxiety, Fears,
-Deterioration in general needs such as sleep and appetite,
-Problems in friend adjustment, that is, in social interaction,
-Introversion due to reasons such as frequent warnings in areas that cannot be done,
– It may come with many problems such as performance anxiety.
If the child has academic problems, waiting with unrealistic approaches such as lazy, not working, and indifferent will harm the child more. Because it is not under his control that a child who is good in many areas has problems in reading, writing and mathematics.
Although there are many studies suggesting that genetic predisposition, blood supply in the learning areas of the brain or functional problems are among the causes of SLD, the exact cause is unknown. Children with SLD have a higher incidence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than the normal population. In addition, other psychiatric diagnoses such as depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive disorders and tics may accompany the condition.
It is very important to detect children with SLD early and to make necessary evaluations by experts. It should be ensured that children diagnosed with SLD start special education as soon as possible with competent special educators. In addition, if there is an accompanying ADHD or other psychiatric condition, it is important to carry out psychiatric follow-up and treatment for them together.
If your child has problems in the areas mentioned above, please do not expect it to pass. Because SLD is a treatment condition. I hope you don’t forget that it can be solved with the right education….
