05 Sep Why Your Child Isn’t ‘Lazy’ – Hidden Learning Difficulties
Dyslexia – Hidden Learning Difficulties That Schools Often Miss
As a parent, it can be distressing to hear that your child is being labeled as “lazy” or “unmotivated” in school. However, these labels are often inaccurate and overlook deeper, hidden learning difficulties like dyslexia, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Many children who face learning difficulties struggle silently, and without a proper diagnosis, they can be misunderstood, leading to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and even low self-esteem. In this article, we explore how common learning difficulties are often missed in school settings and what you can do to ensure your child gets the help they need.
Mislabeling of Children with Dyslexia
It’s not uncommon for children with learning difficulties to be mischaracterized as lazy, distracted, or even defiant. When schools are unable to properly identify these challenges, children may be seen as disinterested in learning or as having a poor attitude toward school. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Children with learning difficulties like dyslexia often face immense challenges with tasks like reading, writing, and spelling. Yet, because these challenges are not always outwardly visible, their struggles are often attributed to lack of effort or focus.
For example, children with dyslexia may appear to read slowly or struggle with letter-sound recognition, making reading and comprehension frustratingly difficult. But because they may excel in other areas, such as verbal communication or problem-solving, their reading issues are often overlooked. Similarly, children with ADHD may have trouble concentrating for extended periods, leading to incomplete tasks, yet their impulsivity or restlessness is mistaken for lack of discipline or carelessness.
Top 10 Signs of Dyslexia Routinely Missed by Schools
- Reading well below the expected level for age
- Difficulty with word decoding and phonological processing
- Inconsistent performance in different subjects
- Problems with sequencing or following multi-step instructions
- Avoidance of reading or writing tasks
- Frequent letter or number reversals (e.g., ‘b’ and ‘d’)
- Slow writing and reading
- Inability to focus or stay organized
- Struggles with memory recall, especially with language-based tasks
- Low self-esteem or frustration related to academic work
Why Schools Miss These Hidden Learning Difficulties
School based screenings are designed to identify children who may need additional support. However, these screenings are often limited in scope and fail to delve into the deeper cognitive issues that may be affecting a child’s performance. These assessments are generally brief, focusing on basic academic skills or classroom behavior. While they can help flag children who are significantly behind their peers, they do not provide the comprehensive insights needed to diagnose specific learning disabilities like dyslexia.
Another issue is that many educators and school counselors lack the specialized training needed to identify the full range of hidden learning difficulties. As a result, they may not recognize the subtle signs of conditions like dyslexia, particularly in children who are bright and articulate but still struggle with reading and writing. For instance, some children with dyslexia develop sophisticated coping strategies, such as memorizing words rather than sounding them out, which can mask their difficulties for years.
Research shows that dyslexia and ADHD often go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed in schools, leaving children without the proper support. This is where comprehensive assessments by licensed educational psychologists come into play.
Comprehensive Dyslexia Testing to Unlock Your Child’s Potential
Unlike school screenings, comprehensive testing dives deeper into the specific cognitive processes that impact a child’s learning. These assessments use a range of tools to identify strengths and weaknesses, providing a clearer picture of how a child’s brain processes information.
For example, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V) is often used to assess a child’s cognitive abilities. This test examines areas such as verbal comprehension, visual-spatial skills, working memory, and processing speed. A child struggling with reading may show deficits in phonological processing or working memory, which would be flagged by this test.
Similarly, the Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Achievement are used to measure reading, writing, and math skills, providing valuable information about specific areas of academic strength and weakness. For children who have difficulty with reading, this test can help pinpoint issues like word recognition, reading fluency, and reading comprehension.
For diagnosing dyslexia, tools like the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP-2) are invaluable. This test evaluates a child’s ability to understand and manipulate the sounds in language—skills that are often impaired in children with dyslexia. By identifying these specific challenges, comprehensive testing can help develop a tailored approach to support your child’s learning.
ADHD and Overlapping Challenges
Many children with dyslexia may also have co-occurring conditions like ADHD. Research shows that up to 40% of children with ADHD also have dyslexia. This overlap can complicate the diagnostic process, as children with both conditions often exhibit a mix of symptoms related to inattention, hyperactivity, and reading difficulties.
Comprehensive testing helps differentiate between these conditions, allowing for targeted interventions. For example, while both dyslexia and ADHD can affect attention, the underlying causes are different. ADHD affects a child’s ability to maintain focus, while dyslexia primarily impacts the ability to decode words and process language. Without proper testing, these distinctions can be missed, and children may not receive the appropriate support.
The Emotional Impact of Missed Dyslexia Diagnoses
When learning difficulties go undiagnosed, the impact on a child’s emotional well-being is significnt. Many children internalize the negative labels they are given and begin to see themselves as “stupid” or incapable. This can lead to a range of emotional and behavioral issues, including anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.
Children with dyslexia may avoid reading or writing activities out of fear of failure, further hindering their progress. In the same way, children with ADHD may struggle with self-esteem issues due to their inability to meet behavioral expectations in the classroom. Over time, these children may develop a negative attitude toward school and learning, making it even more difficult for them to succeed.
How Comprehensive Dyslexia Testing Can Help
The key to helping children with hidden learning difficulties is early diagnosis and intervention. Comprehensive testing provides parents and educators with the information they need to understand their child’s unique learning profile. Armed with this knowledge, they can implement strategies and accommodations that cater to the child’s strengths while addressing their weaknesses.
Children with dyslexia can benefit from multisensory teaching methods that engage them through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities. Children with ADHD may need behavioral interventions, such as structured routines or positive reinforcement, to help them focus and stay on task. Additionally, accommodations like extra time on tests or assistive technology can level the playing field, allowing these children to demonstrate their true potential.
Labeling a child as “lazy” or “unmotivated” often oversimplifies a complex issue. Learning difficulties like dyslexia are not always easy to spot, especially when children develop coping mechanisms that mask their struggles. However, comprehensive testing by a qualified educational psychologist can uncover these hidden challenges and open the door to tailored interventions that can help your child thrive. If you suspect your child is struggling with an undiagnosed learning difficulty, consider seeking a comprehensive assessment to provide the answers and the support your child needs to succeed.
Alexander Bentley-Sutherland is the CEO of Global Education Testing, the leading provider of Learning Development Testing tailored specifically for the International and Private School community worldwide.