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Child Learning Difficulties
Overview
Guide for Special Needs, Behavioural and Learning Difficulties
This is a simple guide designed for use by teachers, classroom assistants and parents. It aims to provide a basic understanding of children’s difficulties and offers ideas about how to support them at home and in the classroom. These include: Autistic Spectrum Disorder; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Dyslexia; Dyspraxia; and Tourette’s Syndrome.The site will provide you with a brief introduction about the condition, guidelines about how to recognise the learning needs and also a range of practical steps which can be taken to support the child.
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Focus on the child's self esteem
It is important to remember that all children are individuals and will need learning plans tailored to suit their needs. The key to success is to encourage the child as much as possible and to try and maintain high levels of self-esteem. Also it is imperative to focus on the positives at all times. Start off from the point of looking at what the child can do as opposed to what they cannot do. In my experience children do not want to feel isolated or different so it is important to try and establish how they would prefer to work - this may be with others in the classroom or it may be outwith the classroom where it is more peaceful. It can be upsetting not knowing why they cannot read or learn as fast as the other children and therefore it is important to give them strategies to overcome these barriers and to be patient and supportive.Inform the teacher of learning difficulties
If you suspect your child may have a learning difficulty it is important to contact the nursery teacher or the class teacher in the first instance and voice your concerns. It is common practice that the class teacher will try alternative teaching strategies in the classroom in the first instance to see if the difficulties can be overcome in this way. If the problem persists it is normal practice to ask the Support for Learning teacher to get involved. She will observe the child in the class, look at their exercise books and tray, consult with the teacher to determine background information. She will try to establish a picture of the child by asking the right questions and carrying out some assessment. Sometimes the Support for Learning teacher will refer the child to the Educational Psychologist for further assessment. The parents will be informed at all times throughout this process.Please use the sub sections links on the left or the section content links to find out more.