According to the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO) “Learning Disabilities” refers to a variety of disorders that affect the acquisition, retention, understanding, organisation or use of verbal and/or non-verbal information. These disorders result from impairments in one or more psychological processes related to learning, in combination with otherwise average abilities essential for thinking and reasoning. Learning disabilities are specific not global impairments and as such are distinct from intellectual disabilities".
Learning disabilities range in severity and often interfere with the acquisition and use of one or more of the following important skill areas:
oral language (e.g., listening, speaking, understanding)
reading (e.g., decoding, comprehension)
written language (e.g., spelling, written expression)
mathematics (e.g., computation, problem solving)
Learning disabilities may also often cause difficulties with organisational skills, social perception and social interaction.
Retrieved from: Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario
Show an interest in your child's work. Ask them about their subjects and the work to be done. Open-ended questions that require answers longer than one or two words will allow them to demonstrate their understanding.
Encourage your child to show their learning in multiple ways eg. oral recording, scribe, slide show, etc.
Help your child organize work materials before starting a task.
Develop a schedule with your child. A structured routine aids in task completion and helps avoid procrastination.
Chunk work tasks into smaller parts. This allows for frequent check-ins to ensure understanding.
Find a work space for your child that has natural light, is spacious, and is free from distraction.
Make sure your child includes facts and proof when answering questions.
Help your child see connections to their learning by planning life skill activities eg. teach fractions and measurements as you prepare a favourite recipe together.
Read aloud to your child daily to promote and instill the love of reading.
Provide positive encouragement and praise for small steps as well as big accomplishments.