Busting 5 myths about children with learning disabilities

What is a Learning disability?

Learning disabilities mean the neurobiological or genetic factors that alter the functioning of the brain and this affects cognitive processes which could be one or multiple, and are related to learning basic skills such as reading, writing, or even maths. These processing problems can interfere with learning and applying new information since their brains are wired differently.

Learning disabilities are generally different in every child. As educators, we might spot one child struggling with reading and spelling, while another child might love books but can’t understand math, yet another child who faces difficulty understanding what others are saying or communicating out loud.

How are the classroom- setups for students with learning disabilities?

Case Scenario 1: Nathan, a student of Grade 3, struggles in classes that involve reading. He hates being asked questions in front of everyone because he believes that he is not smart or quick enough to answer them. Nathan takes pride in hands-on projects and loves it so much that he offers help to his peers during those classes. He chooses to be the ‘naughty’ one who creates a ruckus in class so that he can get away without being answerable for his incomplete notebooks and assignments. He feels his running train of fantastic ideas and thoughts come to a halt when he is given a paper and pen to write.

Case Scenario 2: Ayushi, a student of Grade 9, has severe concerns with her self-esteem and desperately tries her best to fit in with her peers. She hates being ridiculed and called a ‘daydreamer’ because all she is trying to do is follow and process the teachers’ words, but finds it challenging to do so. She puts in hours of effort to memorize answers but fails to recall them the very next day.

Let us bust some myths about learning disabilities to create more awareness and information about them:

Myth # 1: They are children with a low intelligence quotient (IQ).

Fact:  Students with learning disabilities learn at a slower pace and differently, therefore people have a misconception about them being less intelligent. Studies have indicated that as many as 33% of students with LD are gifted. These students can not only learn but also succeed in college,  all that it takes is proper recognition, intervention, and a lot of hard work.

Myth # 2: They are lazy, uninterested, and always out to create trouble:

Fact: No child wants to, on purpose, not do well, or be shamed for being lazy.

Since they process and learn information differently, they have to work harder than their peers. The results may not show despite their efforts, which is why they appear unmotivated and lazy.

Myth # 3: Learning disabilities are only academic in nature and do not affect other areas of a person’s life.

Fact: Many students with learning disabilities also have social problems due to difficulties in reading body language and other subtle language cues that help most students understand how to appropriately interact with their peers. This may cause some students to have trouble asking for clarifications or contributing to classroom discussions.  Low self-esteem and a lack of confidence further interfere with learning and academic success and can reinforce a cycle of failure and negativity. For many, strong feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, or shame can lead to difficulties such as anxiety and depression.

Myth # 4: Children with learning disabilities cannot have successful careers.

Fact: This is far from the truth! If a student is taught effective learning strategies and is provided with efficient accommodation, she or he can have a very successful career in a variety of fields. Some very successful people with learning disabilities include Richard Branson, Keira Knightley, Jay Leno, and Albert Einstein, just to name a few.

Myth # 5: Accommodations given to them will give them the easy way out and will not prepare them for later years.

Fact: Barriers and obstacles that stand between children and their learning disability are removed with accommodation so that they have equal access to the learning material just like their peers. Giving accommodations to children with learning disabilities in no way means that they are given altered content or an unfair advantage. If the correct intervention and strategies are not given, children with learning disabilities can have a highly negative and futile educational career.

It should be noted that the above myths have been carved out by the society that continues to make different assumptions about children with learning disabilities, thus hindering meaningful participation in their development processes. Learning disabilities have no cure, but early intervention can lessen their effects and facilitate effective management strategies.

Seeing beyond these learning disability myths will help all children overcome their learning disabilities and enjoy a life of promise and opportunity.