Learning Difficulties and Learning Disorders
It is estimated that up to 25% of children have learning difficulties in one or more areas. These learning difficulties are due to a wide range of factors, some of which can be identified and corrected. For some children these difficulties are not due to one specific factor and can very hard to correct even when their motivation is high and they receive extra help and support at home and school.
It is estimated that a smaller percentage of students, 5-15%, experience a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) in either one or a combination of reading, writing and mathematics. For these children the causes of these difficulties are genetic and they do not respond very well to most attempts to correct them. To help with finding out if your child has an SLD it is necessary to gather a lot of information.
Categories of Specific Learning Disorders
A child may be diagnosed as having a Specific Learning Disorder in the areas of:
Reading
Dyslexia is an alternative term used to refer to a pattern of learning difficulties characterized by problems with accurate or fluent word recognition, poor decoding and poor spelling abilities (*)
Gathering accurate information is important for an accurate diagnosis. Information needed to find out if your child has an SLD is usually obtained through three sources:
Aside from formal testing, information required is as follows
History of academic achievement. This can either be done by:
Samples of academic work: Bringing past workbooks or pieces of writing your child has completed is useful.
Evidence of intervention: Either at school or privately. What sort, how long, any pre and post test results.
Hearing and vision assessments: When looking at whether your child has a learning disorder, including dyslexia, a number of conditions have to be ruled out therefore it is important that your child has an appropriate hearing and visual assessment.
It is estimated that a smaller percentage of students, 5-15%, experience a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) in either one or a combination of reading, writing and mathematics. For these children the causes of these difficulties are genetic and they do not respond very well to most attempts to correct them. To help with finding out if your child has an SLD it is necessary to gather a lot of information.
Categories of Specific Learning Disorders
A child may be diagnosed as having a Specific Learning Disorder in the areas of:
Reading
- Word reading accuracy*
- Reading rate or fluency*
- Reading comprehension
- Spelling accuracy*
- Grammar and punctuation accuracy
- Clarity or organisation of written expression
- Number sense
- Memorization of arithmetic facts
- Accurate or fluent calculation
- Accurate math reasoning.
Dyslexia is an alternative term used to refer to a pattern of learning difficulties characterized by problems with accurate or fluent word recognition, poor decoding and poor spelling abilities (*)
Gathering accurate information is important for an accurate diagnosis. Information needed to find out if your child has an SLD is usually obtained through three sources:
- formal testing
- reviewing academic history: using school reports and parental observations and student experiences, and
- teacher observations including student’s behaviour/attitude in class.
Aside from formal testing, information required is as follows
History of academic achievement. This can either be done by:
- bringing copies of past school reports to the assessment session for the examiner to review;
- photocopying past school reports and giving them to the examiner; or,
- sometimes schools have online summaries that they can forward directly to the examiner.
Samples of academic work: Bringing past workbooks or pieces of writing your child has completed is useful.
Evidence of intervention: Either at school or privately. What sort, how long, any pre and post test results.
Hearing and vision assessments: When looking at whether your child has a learning disorder, including dyslexia, a number of conditions have to be ruled out therefore it is important that your child has an appropriate hearing and visual assessment.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is an alternative term used to refer to a pattern of learning difficulties characterised by problems with accurate or fluent word recognition, poor decoding and poor spelling abilities (*). It is the most commonly known learning disorder.
How can Positive Young Minds help with learning difficulties? The First Step Process.
Positive Young Minds offers a step by step process to looking at learning difficulties. The First Step Process entails you completing questionnaires and providing documentation including school reports, examples of work and any previous assessments. You will also complete permission allowing us to speak with teachers as required and to send teachers an information form.
After this documentation has been provided, you will come in for an appointment to discuss concerns and results of the questionnaires. After this joint discussion we will outline a recommended course of action. It may be decided at the session that going ahead with a full assessment is not the best option at the point and other best course of action recommended. If full assessment is recommended the initial session fee for a full assessment will be waived.
Alternatives to a full assessment may be suggested including, targeted intervention prior to assessment, phonological screening by a psychologist or speech therapist, emotional or behavioural assessments or other interventions.
Feedback and advice will be verbal. A written report can be provided for additional cost.
The cost of the First Step Process is $400.
After this documentation has been provided, you will come in for an appointment to discuss concerns and results of the questionnaires. After this joint discussion we will outline a recommended course of action. It may be decided at the session that going ahead with a full assessment is not the best option at the point and other best course of action recommended. If full assessment is recommended the initial session fee for a full assessment will be waived.
Alternatives to a full assessment may be suggested including, targeted intervention prior to assessment, phonological screening by a psychologist or speech therapist, emotional or behavioural assessments or other interventions.
Feedback and advice will be verbal. A written report can be provided for additional cost.
The cost of the First Step Process is $400.
Can I have Dyslexia Screening?
The First Step Process is an initial screening process.
For further information about Learning Difficulties and Disorders
AusSpeld Understanding Learning Difficulties: A Guide for Parents.