The first problem you may encounter as a parent is being able to detect whether your child is developing at the appropriate pace or lagging behind.
Though children develop at different paces, it is pertinent to note that at different stages of life (ages), a child is expected to hit certain learning milestones. You should start to feel concerned and possibly seek intervention when a child shows a consistent inability to meet these milestones as they grow.
Below are the learning milestones to watch out for as your child grows:
Preschool age (2-6 Years)
At this age, your child should be able to pronounce words as well as learn alphabets, numbers, shapes, days of the week, and colors. He or she should also be able to follow directions, learn routines, and rhymes. A preschool-age kid should be able to control crayons, scissors, and pencils and color within the lines, buttoning his or her shirt, and tying shoes shouldn’t be a major issue for him or her too.
6 to 9 Years
Between the ages of 5 – 9, a child who is developing properly should be able to learn new skills such as spelling, basic math concept, and reading basic words. He or she learns the connection between sounds and letters as well as be able to blend sounds to produce meaning words. He or she should also be able to remember sequences and tell time.
10 – 13 Years
Between the ages of 10 – 13, your child should be able to answer open-ended test questions and word problems. He or she should be able to read comprehension passages aloud and write legibly. Another thing to watch out for at this stage is your child’s organizational skills and spelling skills.
As stated earlier, children display different behaviors at different times and that a child was unable to read or write at some point doesn’t mean that he or she is having a learning disorder.
However, you should be concerned when a child displays consistent unevenness in mastering certain skills.
Why Early Intervention is Important for Children with Learning Disability
Kids with learning disabilities are not abnormal. It just happens that their brains are wired to receive and process information differently. So seeking early intervention doesn’t mean that your child is abnormal. Instead, it increases your child’s chances of reaching their full potential in life.
If you are unsure whether your child is suffering from any kind of learning disorder, seeking professional help will help you get an unbiased judgment. Sometimes, a child may be going through rough times, making it difficult to concentrate and learn.
In case your child is diagnosed with any kind of learning disorder, a therapist is in a better position to help him or her overcome their challenge.
