Learning Differences

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral disorder that affects children and can continue into adulthood. The main symptoms include the inability to keep focus, hyperactivity, and impulsive acts.

General ADHD symptoms present with high energy levels, low-attention span, and difficulty remaining still for long periods of time. 

ADHD is classified into three categories:

• Inattentive type
• Hyperactive/impulsive type
• Combined type

Dyslexia is a common learning difference that is characterized by experiencing difficulty reading, and often presents itself during the early stages of childhood. This reading challenge consists of having trouble developing a phonemic awareness - the ability to connect letters to sounds.

It may be challenging to determine whether your young child may have Dyslexia prior to entering school. The following signs may be helpful to look out for:

• Learning to talk late in age
• Learning new words slowly 
• Difficulty forming words correctly
• Difficulty learning nursery rhymes

In school age children, signs of Dyslexia may be more apparent. Parents and teachers should look out for the following signs:

• Reading slowly
• Making mistakes while reading
• Spelling words incorrectly 

Dyscalculia is a math learning disorder that is characterized by having difficulty with mathematical reasoning and computation. Children who experience this learning difficulty can also feel anxiety, confusion, and stress when performing number-related tasks. According to dyscalculia.org, dyscalculia is believed to affect 3% to 26% of the population.

Symptoms of Dyscalculia may include:

• Reading one number and saying a different one
• Operational mix-ups (adding instead of subtracting)
• Reasoning errors (finding the difference between two numbers instead of subtracting)
• Writing the wrong number
• Unreliable memory of numbers, math facts, rules, and procedures
• Inability to do mental figuring
• Struggling with telling time 
• Struggling with time management
• Struggling with handling money

Dysgraphia is a learning difficulty that affects writing abilities. It causes the challenge of handwriting, spelling, and typing skills.

Common handwriting skills that children with dysgraphia may have trouble with are:

• Forming letters Syntax and grammar
• Writing in a straight line
• Making letters the incorrect size
• Controlling a writing tool
• Holding a paper with one hand and the writing tool in another
• Putting the right amount of pressure on the paper with a writing tool

Auditory processing disorder (APD), also known as Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), is a learning difficulty that is affected by the inability to filter and process sounds through the brain. People with APD don’t experience difficulty with hearing; rather, with receiving, organizing, and processing auditory information. This condition often begins during childhood.

Possible symptoms of APD children:

• Saying “huh?” and “what?” often
• Confusing sounds in words
• Difficulty following multi-step instructions
• Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
• Delayed language development
• Poor spelling

Executive function is the ability to complete tasks and interact with others. Executive functioning disorder is characterized by experiencing difficulty with organization, problem-solving, time management, and controlling behavior.

Possible symptoms of executive function disorder in children:

• Difficulty analyzing or processing information
• Difficulty with time management and staying organized