York Prep: Determining If Your Child Has a Learning Disability

York Prep is a prestigious private school that helps children enter college or the workforce feeling fully prepared to contribute to society in a positive manner. The educators at the school teach a diverse group of students, and understand that different pupils learn in different ways. For some students, learning disabilities impact their ability to keep up in classes and manage their homework. Many times, these kids have not yet received a diagnosis, which adds to the struggles they face.

For parents who may have concerns about their son or daughter’s classroom performance, the teachers and staff recommend getting these kids tested for a learning disability early on. This helps to make school a smoother and more pleasant experience.

The signs of a learning disability

Students with a learning disability often have trouble processing information in one or more academic areas. They struggle to store information, or they may have difficulty understanding images or sounds. Some students have problem sequencing information, or interpreting meaning from abstract concepts. It’s common for kids to have issues with either their short or long-term memory. Your child may also have a hard time adequately expressing or organizing their thoughts. Learning disabilities impact students in unique ways, and there’s no one definitive sign that your son or daughter has a learning disability. Some students may display several of the traits listed above, while others experience other unique problems.

Learning disabilities in preschoolers

For preschoolers, it’s common for those with learning disabilities to experience poor coordination. They may have trouble sitting, coloring, walking, and using scissors. As they learn to read and write, they may struggle to form letters and numbers. They may also encounter social delays, and fail to relate to their classmates.

The impact on elementary school students

As children age, the learning disability may impact their ability to remember facts, or solve basic math problems. They may have a difficult time understanding oral instructions, and they may not know how to properly express the thoughts they’re having. It’s quite common for students to only begin showing signs of a learning disability as they move to middle or high school. This is because the difficulties become more apparent as the child’s workload and level of responsibility increases.

If you’re still unsure about whether your son or daughter has a learning disability, consider talking to their principal or teacher. They can give you a better idea of how your child performs in school. If it becomes clear that your student is lagging behind their peers, they can help you get them the evaluation needed to determine exactly whether or not your child has a learning disability. Under educational law, public schools must provide this evaluation when requested and when problems are apparent.

York Prep understands that learning disabilities can cause a student to feel frustrated; it can also do serious damage to their self-confidence. For this reason, it’s important to get a student properly diagnosed so that proper assistance can get administered. York Prep encourages parents to carefully monitor their children, and understand that a learning disability can display itself up through middle school or high school.