Learning disabilities affect all types of people, regardless of where they live or their demographic. It might sound surprising, but research shows that in the U.S. one in five children are affected by a learning disability like ADHD or dyslexia, making this type of disability extremely common. Luckily, there are many options for learning how to thrive despite these obstacles and avoid struggling in school.
Types of Learning Disabilities
There are many different types of learning disability and a trained professional like a school counselor, clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist can help to diagnose the problem. Often a child who is struggling in school will be evaluated so that treatment options can be employed as early as possible. Getting in touch with someone specializing in psychiatry can be a positive move if you want to have your child diagnosed or are looking for treatment.
While disorders like ADHD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and dyslexia are some of the most common learning disorders, others include:
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- Dyscalculia, or issues understanding math problems and numbers
- Dysgraphia, a disability that affects a person’s fine motor skills and impacts handwriting
- Oral/Written Language Disorder, which affects a person’s ability to understand written and spoken language
Treatment Options for Learning Disabilities
The dropout rate for children with learning disabilities who struggle in school is a staggering 18%, which makes it even more important to have a child who seems like they might be affected be evaluated and given treatment options.
Luckily, most schools are well-funded to support special education for students with learning disabilities and other disorders, which is great news considering 2.8 million kids were accessing special education services as of 2021.
Often, a child’s school can set up a dedicated learning plan for them to help them thrive in and outside the classroom. However, psychiatry can also offer useful options to get a child on track to achieve their goals. Because of their common occurrence, learning disabilities should be approached with acceptance and hope, and the first step is an evaluation that can help you decide which path is best and end the frustration of your child needlessly struggling in school.
Contact Bluewater Psychiatry
If you or or a loved one are struggling with the learning disabilities, contact Bluewater Psychiatry for professional help.