Don’t Wait to Intervene: Early Signs of Learning Difficulties

Why Does Early Identification of Learning Difficulties Matter?

Children with learning difficulties experience challenges related to learning and these challenges can continue into adulthood. These challenges can manifest in their reading, spelling, writing, or maths abilities. Addressing these learning difficulties at an early age can lead to more positive academic and well-being outcomes in the future.

Early identification of learning difficulties can:

●      Provide more insight into the child’s learning profile and the way they learn, which can allow for the use of teaching strategies that work best for them and allow them to achieve their full academic potential.

●      Provide children with access to intervention programs and supports at school such as assistive technology or additional time to help manage their difficulties within the classroom and continue developing their skills.

●      Increase children's understanding of their strengths and difficulties, which can support their ability to communicate and advocate for their needs at school.

●      Develop children’s confidence and motivation to learn within the classroom, as well as improve engagement at school.

●      Provides a shared language for parents, teachers, and health professionals to allow for more comprehensive and consistent support for children experiencing learning difficulties.

Signs of Learning Difficulties in Early Childhood?

Signs of learning difficulties can become more noticeable during primary school age when children start engaging in classroom tasks that involve reading, spelling, writing, and maths skills.

For example, you may notice that your child:

●      struggles to recall the names and/or sounds of letters in the alphabet

●      uses their fingers when adding or subtracting numbers

●      finds it difficult to spell their name or simple words

●      struggles to sound out words

●      avoids tasks that require reading, spelling, writing, or maths

How Can You Support Your Child with Learning Difficulties?

Some ways to support a child that is experiencing early signs of learning difficulties include:

●      Have a conversation with your child’s classroom teacher: This can provide you with more insight into their difficulties and their level of progress compared to their peers.

●      Intervention programs: Check whether your child’s school offers intervention programs for children experiencing difficulties related to reading, spelling, writing, or maths.

●      Book an appointment with a GP: GPs can explore other factors that could be impacting your child’s learning difficulties and refer your child to other health professionals for further assessment. For example, if your child is also experiencing hearing difficulties, GPs may make a referral to an audiologist.

●      Specific Learning Disorder assessment: Book an assessment with a psychology clinic such as Advanced Psychology to explore a diagnosis of Specific Learning Disorder and to receive individualised recommendations to support your child.

What Are Some Effective Interventions to Address Learning Difficulties?

Children with learning difficulties can engage in intervention programs to continue developing their academic skills, as well as improve their confidence and motivation for learning. At school, a child can engage in an intervention program with a teacher or learning support officer in a one-on-one or small-group setting. Outside of school, children with learning difficulties can receive support from specialist tutors, occupational therapists, speech therapists, or psychologists.

Effective intervention programs should be evidence-based and include:

●      Explicit instructions

●      Structured sessions

●      Gradual introduction of skills and knowledge

●      Each session builds on the skills and knowledge taught in the previous one

●      Provide opportunities to practice knowledge and skills

It is recommended that parents work together with teachers and other professionals to select the type of intervention that works best for the child’s learning profile and targets their specific areas of difficulty.