Developmental Course of Specific Learning Disorder
Kathryn Patricelli, MAAccording to the DSM-5, the diagnosis of specific learning disorder generally occurs in elementary school as children are required to begin learning reading, writing and math skills. However, there can be signs that appear prior to that time. For example, preschool children may not show an interest in learning rhymes or playing games that involve repetition. They may also continue to use "baby talk" or have trouble identifying letters of the alphabet including those in their own name. Preschool and kindergarten children may also have trouble associating the letters with the sounds they make or in breaking words down into syllables.
Elementary school children typically display problems with spelling, reading aloud, and reading single syllable words. In math areas, they may have problems learning basic math facts and procedures for adding and subtracting. Children with specific learning disorder may complain frequently that reading or math are too hard or try to avoid doing work in those subjects.
As they progress into middle school, problems with reading or math comprehension can begin to appear. They may write using poor spelling and ignore common grammar rules.
Adolescents may continue to show these problems around comprehension, spelling and grammar rules, and be unable to master math facts. They may be slow at reading or need to read paragraphs multiple times to understand what is being said. They may have issues with drawing conclusions from what is read and try to avoid reading in school or as a leisure activity.
Resources
-
Articles
-
Questions and Answers
- Do I Have a Mental Condition?
- Too Much Time doing Homework
- What\'s the matter?
- performance
- ADD
-
Book & Media Reviews
- Don't Bother Me Mom--I'm Learning!
- Incorporating Social Goals in the Classroom
- Learning Outside the Lines
- Ready or Not, Here Life Comes
- The Nature of Intelligence
- The Survival Guide for Kids With LD*
- Why Don't Students Like School
-
Links
- [2] Associations
- [1] Community
- [3] Information
- [3] Journals
- [1] Services
- [20] Videos
-
Videos
- Learning Struggles: What Can a Parent Do?
- Early Signs of a Learning Disability or Learning Disorder
- Common Learning Disabilities
- Student Voices: What Really Matters to Young Adults With Learning and Attention Issues
- Learning Disabilities, What Are the Different Types?
- How Much Do You Know About Dyslexia?
- Stress Relief Tips for People with Learning Disabilities
- Making Friends When You Have a Learning Disability
- Parenting a Child with Dyslexia: A Mom Shares Her Story
- Learning About Learning Disabilities
-
10 more
- What is dyslexia?
- The gift of dyslexia
- Children's Communication Challenges: Is it Attention, Language or Both?
- What Are Learning Disabilities?
- What Causes Learning Disabilities?
- What Is an IEP?
- How Do I Request an Evaluation?
- Steps Parents Should Take Once Their Child is Identified with A Learning Disability
- What Is Dyslexia?
- What Is Dyscalculia?
-
More Information
- An Interview with Steven Richfield, PsyD, on the Parent Coach
Topics
-
Related Topic Centers
-
Addictions
-
Aging & Elder Care
-
Assessments & Interventions
-
Career & Workplace
-
Emotional Well-Being
-
Life Issues
-
Parenting & Child Care
-
Abuse
-
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
-
Adoption
-
Autism
-
Child & Adolescent Development: Overview
-
Child & Adolescent Development: Puberty
-
Child Development & Parenting: Early (3-7)
-
Child Development & Parenting: Infants (0-2)
-
Child Development & Parenting: Middle (8-11)
-
Child Development & Parenting:Adolescence (12-24)
-
Child Development Theory: Adolescence (12-24)
-
Child Development Theory: Middle Childhood (8-11)
-
Childhood Mental Disorders and Illnesses
-
Childhood Special Education
-
Divorce
-
Family & Relationship Issues
-
Intellectual Disabilities
-
Learning Disorders
-
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
-
Parenting
-
Self Esteem
-
-
Psychological Disorders
-
Anxiety Disorders
-
Bipolar Disorder
-
Conversion Disorders
-
Depression: Depression & Related Conditions
-
Dissociative Disorders
-
Domestic Violence and Rape
-
Eating Disorders
-
Impulse Control Disorders
-
Intellectual Disabilities
-
Mental Disorders
-
Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
-
Personality Disorders
-
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
-
Schizophrenia
-
Sexual Disorders
-
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
-
Suicide
-
Tourettes and other Tic Disorders
-