Understanding Learning Difficulties
“What’s wrong? Why is school so hard for her? Why is he so angry?”
These are common concerns for many parents of struggling students. It’s a terrible, helpless feeling to watch your child flounder in school, falling farther and farther behind. You watch as other kids succeed, while your child is held back from achieving their true potential.
Regular classroom teachers are stretched thin. Most are not able to spend a lot of extra time working one-on-one with a child who is struggling. If they do have time, they likely don’t have the proper training to solve the problem and get your child back on track. If they have not already, your child’s teacher, counselor or principal likely will suggest you investigate learning challenge testing or learning difference schools.
Learning Challenge Testing
Is your child just slow to develop? Will they grow out of it? When should you seek learning challenge testing?
Despite your best hope, learning difficulties do not go away with age or time and they are not “outgrown.” Without the proper treatment, children with learning difficulties grow up to become adults with learning difficulties or diagnosed learning challenges. If you see any of the following common warning signs, learning challenge testing is advised.
AGE 1 TO 4
Speaking
Trouble with articulation, persistently mispronounces words. Trouble using correct verb tenses, plurals, or pronouns
Auditory memory
Difficulty remembering multiple-step directions
AGE 4 TO 8
Listening
Trouble rhyming, playing sound or word games
Word Finding
Knows colors, but cannot name them when asked
Fine motor skills
Difficulty cutting with scissors, tying shoes, or blowing nose
Uncoordinated
Clumsy, messy eater, poor at skipping, trouble learning motor skills
AGE 9 TO ADULT
Sequencing
Difficulty telling an event or story in sequence
Sensory Processing
Overreacts to or avoids sounds, touch, fabrics, foods, smells, or lights
Learning Difficulty, Difference, or Disability?
Most learning disabilities schools object to the use of the word disability. Their view is that there is no right way to learn and that we all learn differently, hence they prefer the term learning difference. Often, the philosophy at learning difference schools is that a learning disability/difference is for life and parents and students must seek accommodations for a child’s learning differences to help them succeed. In their view, remediation is simply not possible. At the Morris Center, we take a different approach. After 15 years of randomized, controlled trials research, there is proof that learning disabilities can, in fact, be remediated. Yes, you read that right. Extensive research has shown that our evidence-based, multi-sensory programs can actually strengthen the array of skills we all need to be successful learners. These skills include phonological awareness, phonological processing, visual concept imagery, language scaffolding, numeral imagery, and mathematical concept imagery, all of which are accounted for in TMC’s treatments.
New School or New Skills?
Before you enroll in one of the costly learning difference schools, we encourage you to set up a free consultation at The Morris Center. Our unique transdisciplinary team and treatment program can dramatically improve learning, language, sensory processing, attention, behavior and academic skills. Our clients often see dramatic, lasting improvements in skills in just months.
New scientific evidence supports that the human brain is able to develop new skills or improve weak abilities into strengths at any age. Our individually-tailored treatment programs are highly successful regardless of whether our client is 4 years old or 78 years old.
For 35 years we’ve helped our clients on the road to better outcomes and brighter futures. Let us help you unlock your child, teen, or adult’s true learning potential and get started on the road to success.