For individuals, learning does not only include the skills acquired in a particular field or the academic knowledge acquired, it refers to a lifelong process.
Children automatically initiate their learning processes through the stimuli around them from the moment they are born. Some children may have difficulties with reading, writing or other learning-related skills, which may be a sign of a learning disability. Learning disability can be defined as a child's difficulty in one or more areas related to learning. It is not a symptom of mental retardation, laziness or low motivation.
Some symptoms of learning disabilities are as follows:
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Disorder in direction perception (right-left)
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Reversing letters, words or numbers
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Mixing sounds
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To identify some objects or models Difficulty in sorting in terms of size and shape
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Difficulty in understanding, following and organizing given instructions
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Newly spoken or newly read Difficulty in remembering words
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Lack of coordination while moving
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Difficulty in manual skills such as writing, cutting, painting
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Problems in language development
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Difficulty in perceiving the concept of time
Dyslexia (dyslexia) Reading difficulty), dyscalculia (mathematics learning difficulty), dysgraphia (writing difficulty) and dyspraxia (motor coordination disorder) can be given as examples.
Not all of the above symptoms need to be seen to be diagnosed with a learning disorder, it is important to make an early diagnosis. During the diagnosis phase, academic performance is evaluated, intelligence tests and other developed tests are applied.
Learning difficulties are often accompanied by attention deficit and hyperactivity, but depression and anxiety disorders may also occur. For its treatment, training prepared by experts should be applied, and if there are accompanying problems, a doctor or therapist should be consulted.
Family attitudes play an important role in the treatment process of learning disorders. The child is in school, rehabilitation center or private care The education he receives in the first educational institution must be continued in parallel in the family. There should be consistency and cooperation between the child's family, teacher and psychologist.
Families of children with learning disabilities should exhibit the following attitudes:
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If you detect signs of learning difficulties in your child, early intervention can be made. Ensure early diagnosis. For this, get support from an expert to identify what type of learning disorder your child has.
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Do not forget that learning disorders have nothing to do with intelligence.
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Make your child feel that you are there for him/her, that you understand him/her, that he/she is valuable, and approach him/her with a compassionate attitude against the difficulties he/she experiences at school and in his/her social life. Communicate with him/her verbally and emotionally.
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Discover your child's strengths instead of criticizing his weaknesses. Focusing on the things he does better and appreciating those aspects will make your child feel better and distract him from his negative self-perception.
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Do not expect your child to do activities that exceed his capacity, encourage him to do the best he can. Support him/her.
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When giving a task, ask him to do the simplest form of that task first and make him progress by making it more difficult step by step with your help.
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When the child learns to do these skills on his own, gradually reduce the help and support his independence
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Support your children's intellectual curiosity by allowing them to ask questions, listening to them, and giving explanations.
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Every child is unique and special, do not compare him/her with other children in order not to shake his/her self-confidence.
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Do not forget that time is needed for your child's development at the desired level. and be patient.
Children with special needs often also have special skills – such as perseverance, sensitivity, resilience, patience. These skills are much more important than memorizing the alphabet perfectly or copying letters. All children make progress, but this progress Its frequency and magnitude vary from person to person. In order to build the child's sense of self-confidence, his strengths should be supported.
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