5 Common Learning Disabilities in Students and How to Address Them

Introduction

As a school teacher, what were your assumptions about a student who reads slowly, struggles with numbers and spelling, and has trouble staying focused?

They may seem to be common classroom challenges that disappear over time, but they could be signs of common learning disabilities that need early identification and support. If not addressed, they can lead to poor academic performance, mental health issues, stress, and lifelong difficulties.

A report from the European International University highlights the recent UNESCO study, indicating that around 12-15% of the student population in India suffers from a learning disability. The ratio is higher in boys as compared to girls. In an average Indian classroom consisting of 30-40 students, there are 4-6 students whose learning needs are more specific than the others. They require extra attention and support.

Recognizing these challenges early and providing the right interventions can make a significant difference in a student’s educational journey and overall well-being.

What are Learning Disabilities?

Learning disabilities are neurological disorders that affect a child’s ability to learn and understand subjects in school. Symptoms may vary in intensity and may affect one skill or a combination of skills. They can be present from birth or early childhood and can remain throughout life. Learning disabilities should not be confused with intellectual disabilities, because the latter reflect intelligence and motivation to study, while the first reflect difficulties in learning.

A well-known example of this is portrayed in the movie Taare Zameen Par, where the protagonist, Ishaan, struggles with dyslexia-a learning disability that affects reading and writing—despite being highly creative and intelligent.

Common signs of learning disabilities that parents and teachers should look out for:

1. Cognitive Challenges

• Poor memory
• Short attention span
• Difficulty grasping certain words and concepts
• Disconnect between words and meaning
• Inconsistent performance on a daily or weekly basis

2. Language and Communication Challengess

• Difficulty with reading or writing
• Inability to distinguish between sounds, letters, or numbers
• Tendency to reverse letters
• Difficulty expressing thoughts and emotions
• Delayed speech development

3. Visual and Spatial Challenges

• Tendency to put numbers or letters in the wrong sequence
• Difficulty telling time
• Confusion between right and left
• Poor hand-eye coordination

4. Behavioural and Emotional Challenges

• Restlessness and impulsiveness
• Misbehaviour
• Difficulty with discipline
• Resistance to change
• Inappropriate responses

5. Executive Functioning and Organization Challenges

• Disorganization
• Trouble with listening and following instructions

What Causes Learning Disorders?

• Family history: A parent or relative with a learning disorder can increase the risk.
• Birth-related factors: Premature birth, low birth weight, or poor growth in the womb.
• Emotional stress: Childhood trauma or abuse affecting brain development.
• Physical injuries: Head trauma or illnesses affecting the nervous system.
• Exposure to toxins: High levels of harmful substances like lead.

5 Most Common Learning Disabilities

1. Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a language-related learning disorder in which students struggle to process language. Skills like speaking, reading, writing, spelling, and understanding words are affected.

When it comes to reading, dyslexic students may struggle to connect letters to sounds and read words incorrectly or slowly. They may focus on decoding the meaning of each word but end up not understanding the entire sentence. They can also skip or reverse-read letters and words.

When it comes to writing, dyslexic students make grammatical and spelling mistakes because they don’t understand language rules. They also struggle to organize their ideas and tend to write grammatically incorrect or incomplete sentences.

Strategies to support Dyslexic students:

Teachers and parents can use the following strategies to create an environment to support dyslexic students to succeed despite their learning disability:

1. Multisensory teaching methods – Support engaging multiple senses to enhance learning, such as:
   • Visual aids – Flashcards, charts, and videos
   • Auditory techniques – Phonics songs, reading aloud
   • Kinesthetic activities – Tracking letters in the sand using syllable gestures
   • Tactile tools – Textured letters, word-building tiles
2. Phonics-based interventions – Focus on organised, clear teaching of letter-sound associations, such as:
   • Explicit phonics – Blending sounds to form words
   • Synthetic phonics – Combination of vowels and consonants
   • Analytic phonics – Identifying patterns and word families improve decoding skills
3. Assistive technology – Provide accessible and engaging learning experiences to dyslexic students to overcome learning challenges and build confidence, such as:
   • Text-to-speech software and apps – Reads text aloud, Eg: Natural reader, Audible
   • Speech-to-text tools – Converts speech into text, Eg: Google Docs Voice Typing
   • Phonics apps and games – Interactive ways to develop reading skills, Eg: Reading Eggs
   • Dyslexia-friendly fonts – Improves reading skills, Eg: OpenDyslexic
   • Word prediction software aids with spelling and grammar
   • Digital note-taking tools and Mind mapping software: Help organise ideas visually, Eg: Evernote, MindMiester

2. Dyscalculia

Students with Dyscalculia often have difficulty understanding and processing numbers and mathematical concepts. They seem to avoid math and related subjects, causing gaps in academics. They struggle with telling time, counting, skip-counting, and everyday math-related tasks. They display anxiety and frustration when they encounter simple or complex tasks related to maths.

Strategies to support Dyscalculic students:

Make math concepts more structured, visual, and tangible to support students with Discalculia. Some strategies are mentioned below:

1. Use of manipulatives – Students get a chance to visualise and physically interact with numbers by using manipulatives, such as counting objects, tactile number lines, pie models, calculators, etc.
2. Visual aids – Math ideas and concepts can be simplified using images or diagrams, Eg: charts, graphs, grid paper, colour-coded equations, etc.
3. Step-by-step instructions – Tasks are broken down into simple steps reducing confusion. Eg: Long division includes breakdowns like Dividing, Multiplying, Subtracting, and Bringing down the next number.
4. Play math games – This will help maintain motivation to learn math by reinforcing concepts in a simple, fun way.

3. Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a condition in which students struggle to write or express their thoughts in writing. They might also have problems with fine motor skills, making it difficult to hold a pencil, form letters, or write in a straight line. Illegible handwriting and disorganised sentence writing with incorrect letters, spacing between words, or thoughts are common as well. They are usually slow writers who experience hand pain as they write. They may display nervousness and refuse to participate in any writing activities because they are frustrated by their inability to write well.

Strategies to support Dysgraphic students:

• Strength building: Improve core, arm, and shoulder strength for better motor control.
• Adaptive tools: Use specialised writing tools, pencil grips, and typing tools to aid writing.
• Paper choice: Opt for lined or graph paper to enhance writing clarity.
• Multi-sensory approaches: Combine visual, tactile, and auditory methods to support learning. Eg, Tracing, visual aids, audiobooks, etc.
• Tracing and structured activities: Practice tracing exercises and engage in structured writing activities.
• Visual skills: Strengthen visual-motor coordination for improved handwriting.
• Professional support: Work with educators, occupational therapists, and speech therapists for tailored interventions.

Handwriting vs. Typing: Tools for Students with Dysgraphia

4. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Do you know a student who has trouble concentrating in class, missing details, having trouble following instructions, rules, and routines, or finishing their homework on time? They don’t do it on purpose, but are having difficulty focusing or being attentive. They may be hyperactive and impulsive in class too. This can be ADHD, a learning disability in students that needs to be addressed immediately.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 5-8% of children in India have ADHD. And, the role of excessive screen time (like watching TV, using tablets, or playing video games) in contributing to ADHD symptoms is becoming increasingly evident. Various researchers have found preschool children who spend more than 2 hours a day on screens are 7.7 times more likely to show signs of ADHD compared to those who use screens less.

However, not all students who are hyperactive or inattentive have ADHD. If the symptoms of ADHD persist for longer periods like beyond six months and affect the academics and behaviourism of the student in concern, then addressing the learning disability should be considered.

Strategies to address ADHD in students

1. Behavioural therapy

• Focus on managing emotions and improving self-control.
• Use positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviours.

2. Structured routines

• Create a predictable daily schedule to reduce uncertainty.
• Use visual aids like charts or checklists for clarity.

3. Personalized learning plans

• Adapt teaching methods to fit the student’s needs.
• Set realistic, achievable goals to boost confidence and engagement.

4. Behavioural classroom management:

• Reward positive behaviour with systems like daily report cards.
• Address negative behaviours constructively.
• Foster academic engagement through consistent feedback.

4. Organizational training:

• Teach time management and planning skills.
• Help students organize materials to reduce distractions.

5. Accommodations:

• Provide extra time for tests and assignments.
• Use technology tools to aid learning.
• Allow movement breaks and minimize distractions.
• Offer clear instructions and shorter, focused tasks.

Also Read: Role of Classroom Environment: Arrangement, Decor, and its Impact on Behavior

5. Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Have you come across students who cannot understand what they hear in class in the same way other students do? If they are not able to process and make meaning of sounds, they might have a learning disability called APD. The brain is not able to recognise and interpret loud and clear speech sounds also in a normal way.

Symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

• Difficulty hearing and distinguishing between similar sounds (e.g., “bat” vs. “pat”).
• Trouble understanding speech in noisy environments or with background noise.
• Weak auditory memory, leading to problems remembering instructions or songs.
• Struggling to recognise the sequence of sounds or numbers.
• Challenges in “filling in gaps” when speech is fast or muffled.
• Difficulty understanding pitch and tone changes that indicate questions or statements.
• Trouble recognising humour or implied meanings in conversations.
• Frequent need for repetition to follow directions.

Strategies to support students with APD:

Some examples of classroom accommodations that teachers can use in class to address this learning disability are:

1. Classroom seating, materials and routines

• Provide a quiet area for independent work.
• Seat the student near the teacher and away from distractions.
• Use assistive listening devices to amplify the teacher’s voice.
• Check frequently to ensure understanding.
• Allow extra time for tests and assignments.

2. Giving instructions, assignments and repetition

• Provide step-by-step instructions and confirm understanding by having the student repeat them.
• Use attention-getting phrases and nonverbal signals to emphasize key points.
• Say directions out loud, rephrase as needed, and provide written versions for clarity.
• Repeat and reinforce key information during and at the end of lessons.
• Incorporate visual aids, such as images, gestures, and written steps, to support understanding.
• Highlight keywords on worksheets and give clear, written homework instructions.
• Use summaries or reviews to reinforce learning and ensure retention.

3. Introducing new concepts/lessons

• Speak clearly and slowly when presenting new material.
• Share lesson material in advance for familiarity.
• Highlight or list key vocabulary and concepts ahead of time.
• Begin with a review of prior lessons for context.
• Provide an outline of the lesson for structure.
• Grade based on the lesson goal, not unrelated errors.

Assistive technology

• Personal Listening Devices (PLDs): Teachers wear a mic that transmits their voice to the student’s earpiece, using FM, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
• Sound Field Systems: Classroom speakers distribute the teacher’s voice evenly, reducing echoes and muffled sounds. Portable and permanent options are available.
• Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Block background noise; can pair with white noise apps or text-to-speech audio.
• Audio Recorders: Help students record lectures and replay them later for better understanding. Some apps sync notes with audio.
• Captioning: Offers text for spoken words via auto-captioning tools in Zoom, PowerPoint, or YouTube.
• Text-to-Speech (TTS): Reads text aloud with synthesized or human voices, aiding reading comprehension. Audiobooks are another helpful option.

Also Read: How School Infrastructure Impacts Your Child’s Learning Journey

Improving classroom experiences for students with APD: Case studies

The International Journal of Indian Psychology conducted an assessment for learning difficulties with 150 students from a new international school in Chennai, which prioritizes inclusivity. These students were tested for learning disabilities to ensure no child is overlooked. In the assessment, teachers found out that about 54 children had issues and were not able to perform to their optimal capacity and some students out of these children had some serious behavioural issues. All the children have been tested on ATLD.

Analysis – Out of the 150 students assessed with ATLD, 59 were found to have various issues affecting their academic performance. Out of the 59 children, 22 had learning disabilities, 31 had ADHD and 2 had autistic symptoms.

Strategies used and outcome – 22 children with LD were provided with classroom accommodation at school and 12 out of them attended remedial classes after school and have been showing tremendous improvement in academics as well as general behaviour.

Out of the 31 students with ADHD 11 children had impulsivity and behavioural issues, 4 children had their own defence mechanism and were able to manage to behave at school. The remaining 16 children were having learning difficulties due to attention problems. These 16 children have been provided with accommodations at school and provided with differential instructions and IEPs to help them.

Also Read: Inclusive Education: Identifying Different Types of Learners and How We Can Support Them

Conclusion

Understanding and addressing learning disabilities with care and effective strategies is essential to helping every student succeed. Creating an inclusive classroom where all students, including those with learning disabilities, feel valued and empowered is key. Recognizing the unique challenges these students face and using supportive methods can provide them with the tools they need to thrive in school and beyond.

Schools can further enhance inclusivity by investing in infrastructure that supports all learners. With the right resources and support, including accessible school facilities, every student can have an equal opportunity to excel. Get in touch with Varthana and explore more options today!