Understanding Your Child’s Learning Disability
If your child has a learning disability or struggles to learn, you aren’t alone.
Learning disabilities are common.
But with the right support, children with learning differences can succeed academically, socially, and in life.
A learning disability is a neurologically-based learning difference that affects how your child processes information.
When a child has a learning disability, it isn’t a reflection of intelligence or effort.
It simply means your child learns differently than others.
With early recognition, evidence-based interventions, and practical accommodations, learners with disabilities can build confidence, independence, and lifelong skills.
Learning disabilities come in many forms. Your child might suffer from dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADD/ADHD, or autism.
Or, your child might have a visual or auditory sensory issue that interferes with learning.
What Exactly is a Learning Disability?
A learning disability (LD) is a specific difficulty with one or more cognitive processes involved in learning while using spoken or written language, math, or other academic skills.
Learning disabilities are not something that is outgrown or goes away.
In addition, learning disabilities will vary widely from child to child.
Many children who have a learning disability also have average or above-average intelligence.
They usually have other gifts and unique strengths as well!
If your child has a learning disability, it doesn’t mean that learning can’t take place or that it will always be difficult.
It means your child needs to be taught new ways to route information through brain integration exercises.
It is also likely that memory skills are weak. When memory is affected, it’s hard to remember what was taught in school!
More times than not, sensory skills (visual and auditory) are usually affected as well.
Even with a learning disability involved, once these skills are in place, learning can be a breeze!
Common Types of Learning Disabilities
- Dyslexia – difficulties with reading accuracy, fluency, spelling, and decoding words.
- Dyscalculia – challenges understanding numbers, math concepts, and arithmetic procedures.
- Dysgraphia – difficulty with handwriting, spelling, and organizing written expression.
- ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) – affects attention, working memory, and executive function; often co-occurs with LDs.
- ASD – (Autism Spectrum Disorder) – a lifelong neurological and developmental condition that affects how a child perceives the world, communicates, and interacts with others
- Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD) – strong verbal skills but difficulties with spatial, social, and visual-motor tasks.
- Processing disorders – such as auditory or visual processing disorders, which affect how sensory information is interpreted.
Finding out Your Child has a Learning Disability
There are many different learning disabilites as well as treatments. If you think your child is struggling from a learning disability, it’s important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible so the right treatment plan can be designed.
Waiting for your child to outgrow a learning disability is like waiting for an unwatered plant to grow. It won’t happen.
If you see any of the following symptoms in your child, then it might be a learning disability:
- Struggle to learn letters, sounds, or simple words
- Trouble following multi-step instructions
- Difficulty remembering math facts or organizing homework
- Frustration or avoidance around reading or writing tasks
- Learns new information more slowly than peers
- Trouble staying organized (materials, thoughts, tasks)
- Poor memory for instructions, facts, or sequences
- Avoids schoolwork or becomes easily frustrated
- Inconsistent performance (does well one day, struggles the next)
- Below grade level performance (usually two years)
- Difficulty with focusing, paying attention, or staying on task
Your Teen and Navigating a Learning Disability
It’s important to know the symptoms of a learning disability so you can get help and understand what your teen is going through on a daily basis.
If you suspect your teen has a learning disability, the following symptoms chart can guide you on next steps:
- Slow or effortful reading, writing, or math work
- Time management and organization problems
- Difficulty learning new procedures or adapting to complex tasks
- Strength in creative thinking, problem-solving, or oral skills
- Difficulty understanding numbers and quantity
- Trouble memorizing math facts
- Confusion with symbols (+, −, ×, ÷)
- Difficulty telling time or handling money
- Struggles with sequencing steps in math problems
- Relies heavily on counting (even for simple problems)
- Difficult time copying from board
- Not completing assignments
If you notice ongoing patterns of difficulty despite effort and good teaching, consider a learning evaluation to pinpoint where specific strengths and weaknesses fall.
It is never too late to get help for your child!
Diagnosis and Assessment of a Learning Disability
There are many different assessments that measure cognitive skills, academic achievement, language, and processing abilities.
Early assessment helps match interventions to a learner’s specific needs.
Note: A diagnosis is descriptive, not limiting. It guides supports and accommodations.
Bravo! Tutoring offers an affordable Learning Evaluation that will give you indications of learning disabilities.
In addition, the Bravo! Learning Evaluation will provide you with specific auditory and visual strengths and weaknesses.
You will also get a current grade level reading report alongside in depth information on phonological processing.
Memory skills are also evaluated, as they play a crucial component in classroom and learning success. if your child can’t remember the information presented in class, it is difficult to pass tests and get good grades!
School Support and Your Child’s Learning Disability
Getting the right help from your child’s school or teacher can make a huge difference!
It’s always important to keep communication open between you, your child, your child’s teacher, the school’s support team, and administrators.
If you suspect your child has a learning disability, the first step is to reach out to your child’s teacher and ask for guidance.
From there, options will be discussed. Your child might be tested for qualification for an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or a 504 Plan.
Sometimes, further testing is necessary to refine specifics of a learning disability. If your child struggles with a learning disability, be sure the following components are involved in treatment:
- Multisensory instruction (visual + auditory + kinesthetic)
- Structured, explicit teaching of reading, spelling, and math strategies
- Extra time on tests and assignments
- Quiet testing locations and reduced distractions
- Assistive technology: text-to-speech, speech-to-text, audiobooks, math apps, graphic-organizer software
- Chunking assignments and providing clear, written instructions
- Preferential seating and visual schedules
- Regular check-ins and scaffolded steps for projects
Home Strategies
- Create predictable routines and a quiet homework space
- Break tasks into smaller steps and use checklists
- Encourage reading for pleasure with audiobooks or paired reading
- Celebrate effort and strategy use, not just outcomes
- Communicate regularly with teachers and therapists
- Teach self-advocacy: how to request accommodations and explain needs
Evidence-based Interventions
- Structured literacy programs for reading (explicit phonics, decoding, fluency practice)
- Targeted math interventions focusing on conceptual understanding and number sense
- Occupational therapy for fine motor and handwriting issues
- Speech-language therapy for language-based learning difficulties
- Executive function coaching to build planning, time management, and organization skills
Dispelling Common Myths
- Myth: Learning disabilities mean low intelligence
Fact: Many learners with LDs have average or above-average intelligence and unique strengths - Myth: LDs are caused by laziness or poor teaching
Fact: LDs are neurologically based; quality instruction helps, but tailored approaches are often necessary - Myth: People outgrow learning disabilities
Fact: LDs are lifelong, but skills, strategies, and supports can dramatically improve outcomes
Transition Planning for Teens
Plan early for high school-to-college or work transitions.
- Learn how accommodations work in higher education and the workplace
- Practice self-advocacy and independent study skills
- Build a portfolio of assessments, IEPs/504 plans, and documentation for future accommodations
- Explore vocational training, career counseling, and internships
Resources & where to get help
- Start with your child’s school (teachers, special education coordinator, school psychologist)
- Local clinics and private practitioners (educational psychologists, speech and occupational therapists)
- National and local advocacy organizations (reading/literacy associations, LD foundations)
- Libraries and community centers for tutoring, after-school programs, and assistive tech demos
How Bravo! Tutoring Supports Unique Learners
Bravo! Reading gives you a complete, affordable assessment that gives us a snapshot of how your child is learning. From there, a plan of learning success is designed to meet your child’s specific needs.
Bravo! Tutoring provides tutoring for your child that movement-based, multisensory approach, sensory activities, and fun activities that will take your child from struggling to thriving academically.