It is a disorder which interferes with the child’s ability to think, read, write, spell and do maths. Children with SLI are seen to struggle with schoolwork and often lag behind other average students. About 10-15% of school children suffer from this disorder and is manageable with proper intervention.
Types of SLI
Specific Learning Disability is an umbrella term and can describe different types of learning issues. A proper evaluation by a psychologist or teacher or speech therapist can give an idea of the specific learning problems child is facing and plan the intervention. Some of the types of disabilities are :
- Dyslexia: when a child faces problems in reading and comprehension
- Dysgraphia: when a child faces problems in writing
- Dyscalculia: when a child faces issues in solving simple mathematical problems.
Signs to Look Out for in School-Going Children
- Persistent problems in reading, writing or doing mathematical reasoning
- Inaccurate reading or writing
- Poorly arranged written work
- Difficulty in remembering facts
Intervention Plans
If the problem is noticed early then intervention can be carried out at an early age and behaviours can be modified and children can overcome the problems at an earlier age. Always trust your gut feelings and share concerns with the teacher regarding your child’s performance at school. If the child is diagnosed with SLI, here is what a parent should be doing :
- Know the diagnosis properly and the areas where the child lags due to this diagnosis.
- Approach a therapist for a child intervention plan
- Classroom seating arrangements can be changed to suit an SLI child for better scrutiny of their work and support from teacher.
- Schools can be asked to engage special educators to help the child cope u wth the daily academic work.
