Laziness versus learning disability

By Aneesa Moidoo, Psychologist

My 10-year-old son is not studying or putting in effort, and we think he is lazy.

But I’m starting to wonder if there might be something else going on. He’s always been a bright kid, but he’s been struggling in school lately.

He seems to lose focus easily, and he gets frustrated quickly. I’m worried, if it could be a learning disorder.

Let’s look at what your youngster is dealing with and see if there’s more to it than laziness or disinterest.

They may be “coping behaviors.” Your child may struggle in one area, preventing them from realizing their full potential and developing the self-confidence needed for learning and progress in the classroom.

The majority of the children is intelligent-average and above average.

That is the reason why it’s often seen as lazy and not considered as a problem.

Learning disorders can be difficult to identify, especially in young children.

The most obvious signs, such as difficulty with reading or math, may not be apparent until the child is in school.

However, there are many less obvious signs of learning disorders that teachers and parents can watch for.

One of the most common less obvious signs of a learning disorder is a discrepancy between ability and aptitude.

This means that the child seems to be capable of learning a particular skill, but they are struggling to do so.

For example, a child who is bright and articulate may have difficulty with math, or a child who is good at reading may have trouble writing.

Another common sign of a learning disorder is difficulty with working memory. The child may have difficulty holding to the information and use it to complete tasks.

Children with learning disorders often have difficulty with working memory, which can lead to problems following directions, remembering information, and completing assignments.

Other less obvious signs of learning disorders include difficulty with time management and organization, test anxiety etc.

Emotional problems such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression is also common among these children.

As a way to cope the difficulty they may have avoidance behaviors such as skipping school or refusing to participate in certain activities If you are concerned that your child may have a learning disorder, it is important to talk to their teacher or a school counselor.

They can help to get the child assessed and develop a plan to support their learning.

Even though above is the primary rule-out measures, some tips for helping children with learning disabilities are: to provide clear and concise instructions.

Break down tasks into smaller steps and give the child plenty of time to complete them. Next is to make use of visual aids and hands-on activities.

This can help the child to learn and understand concepts more easily.

Furthermore, allow the child to work at their own pace. Don’t pressure them to finish assignments quickly.

Above all, provide positive reinforcement and feedback. This can help the child to build confidence and motivation.

To make the effort more effective it is better that counselors and parents are in the same boat to develop a plan supporting their learning.

By understanding these subtle signs of learning disorders and providing the right support, we can help all children to succeed.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Daily Tribune)