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WARNING
SIGNS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN
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It is during the elementary
school years that learning problems frequently
become apparent as disabilities interfere with
increasingly demanding and complex learning tasks.
Difficulties in learning academic subjects and
emotional and/or social skills may become a
problem. Warning signs for this age group may
include any of those listed above for preschool
children in addition to the following.
Language/Mathematics
- Slow learning of the
correspondence of sound to letter.
- Consistent errors in
reading or spelling
- Difficulty remembering
basic sight words
- Inability to retell a
story in sequence
- Trouble learning to tell
time or count money
- Confusion of math signs
(+, -, x, /, =)
- Transposition of number
sequences
- Trouble memorizing math
facts
- Trouble with place value
- Difficulty remembering
the steps of mathematic operations such as long
division
Motor Skills
- Poor coordination, or
awkwardness
- Difficulty copying from
chalkboard
- Difficulty aligning
columns (math)
- Poor handwriting
Attention/Organization
- Difficulty concentrating
or focusing on a task
- Difficulty finishing work
on time
- Inability to follow
multiple directions
- Unusual sloppiness,
carelessness
- Poor concept of direction
(left, right)
- Rejection of new
concepts, or changes in routine
Social Behavior
- Difficulty understanding
facial expressions or gestures
- Difficulty understanding
social situations
- Tendency to misinterpret
behavior of peers and/or adults
- Apparent lack of "common
sense"
If teachers have not
discussed the possibility of an evaluation already,
the parents may request that the child's school
conduct a formal evaluation. A request submitted to
the school principal must be honored by the school
system in a timely manner.
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WARNING
SIGNS IN SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN
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Some learning disabilities go
undetected until secondary school. Physical changes
occurring during adolescence and the increased
demands of middle and senior high school may bring
the disabilities to light. Previously satisfactory
performance declines. Inappropriate social skills
may lead to changes in peer relationships and
discipline problems. Increased frustration and poor
self- concepts can lead to depression and /or angry
outbursts. Warning signs of learning disabilities
in secondary school students include the following,
which again, should occur as a pattern of
behaviors, to a significant degree, and over time.
Language/Mathematics/Social
Studies
- Avoidance of reading and
writing
- Tendency to misread
information
- Difficulty summarizing
- Poor reading
comprehension
- Difficulty understanding
subject area textbooks
- Trouble with open-ended
questions
- Continued poor spelling
- Poor grasp of abstract
concepts
- Poor skills in writing
essays
- Difficulty in learning
foreign language
- Poor ability to apply
math skills
Attention/Organization
- Difficulty staying
organized
- Trouble with test formats
such as multiple choice
- Slow work pace in class
and in testing situations
- Poor note taking skills
- Poor ability to proofread
or double check work
Social Behavior
- Difficulty accepting
criticism
- Difficulty seeking or
giving feedback
- Problems negotiating or
advocating for oneself
- Difficulty resisting peer
pressure
- Difficulty understanding
another person's perspectives
Again, parents have the right
to request an evaluation by the public schools to
determine if the student has learning disabilities.
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SUMMARY
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Research has
shown that the sooner LD is detected and
intervention is begun, the better the chance to
avoid school failure and to improve chances for
success in life. When parents or teachers suspect a
child has learning disabilities, they should seek
evaluation.
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Tourette
Syndrome "Plus" © Copyright 1998 - 2005 Leslie
E. Packer, PhD. except as noted.
All rights reserved
This page last updated January 7, 2005.
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