Melody FM Morning Boss: Slow Learning = Learning Disability?

Good day to all beloved parents and fellow friends, welcome tune in to the sharing session of Ms. Lee Li Li, the consulting psychologist, on the topic of “ Slow learning = Learning disability?” during the morning program of Melody FM 103.0, at 8 a.m.. Thank you for listening!

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Parents often mistaken on the difference between learning disability and slow learning, when they observed that their child has a slower learning progress as compared to others. Before defining the child as learning disabled, there’re three characteristics to be observed.

First, is there enough learning opportunity for the child? For instance, if a child is rather quiet, he/she may afraid to ask questions to the teacher, and low understanding may delay learning. Meanwhile, the learning approach and learning style are important as well. For example, the various learning styles include visual, kinesthetic, auditory and movement.

Secondly, the child’s learning progress could be affected by the parents, too. Busy working hours of the parents often lead to the lack of supervision towards the child’s studies. Besides, if the parents’ education level is limited, then the parents might be incapable of guiding the child in academic learning.

Thirdly, the child’s physically and psychologically well-being. If the child is under psychological pressure like parents’ arguments, or separated family background, he/she might experience attention difficulty in their studies. Moreover, if the child often absent from classes due to their nutrition and health problems, it would slow down their learning progress, and being left behind.

How to define slow learning?

The child’s mature level can be determined by the progress of their studies, such as the development of their linguistic and social ability, etc. The child can attend conventional school, if he/she has minor slow learning condition; however, the teachers need to keep an eye on the child’s learning process. If the child has moderate slow learning condition, then he/she must be treated with learning intervention.

How to define my child as learning disabled?

If the child is unable to read, write and calculate after close guidance in 6 months, he/she might be having difficulties in learning. For instance, the child is unable to learn ABCs within six months, then the parents can consider an arrangement of assessment with psychologist for their child.

My child is lazy, or have little interest in studies, is he/she learning disabled?

The child’s learning phase starts from early childhood, and their earlier learning attitude will be carried forward to latter. The causes of child’s having little interest in studies might due to the characteristics that mentioned earlier. If the parents believed that the child’s learning attitude was undesirable, but no actions had been taken, the education gap between the child and others would be bigger, which causing the loss of confidence and selfesteem.

My child is facing difficulties in speaking and listening, is my child learning disabled?

If the child faced problems in speech or listening, parents should seek assistance from healthcare professional to examine his/her vocal cords, or hearing ability. If the condition was good, parents could proceed to a consultation with psychologist for further assessment.

Note: The above shared information is adopted from Melody FM 103.0’s program ─ “Slow learning = Learning disability?” on the 4th Jan 2018.

For more information, kindly contact our office and we’re pleasured to offer our assistance, thank you.

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