Learning Challenges Explained

Story at-a-glance Comorbidity is the rule, not the exception – Most children with learning disabilities have more than one condition, with studies showing 40-60% of children with one learning difference also having another, creating complex learning profiles. Shared underlying brain systems create overlap – Many learning disabilities affect similar neural pathways and brain regions, particularly …

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Story at-a-glance Executive function is your brain's management system – These skills include planning, organization, time management, impulse control, and flexible thinking, essentially serving as the CEO that coordinates all other brain functions. Deficits create daily chaos despite intelligence – Children with executive function disorders may excel academically but struggle with basic life …

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Story At-A-Glance Dyslexia is more than reading problems – While reading difficulties are the most recognized sign, dyslexia actually affects language processing across multiple areas including speaking, writing, memory, and even math. Early signs start before school – Parents can spot potential indicators in preschoolers through delayed speech, difficulty with rhyming, trouble remembering …

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Story at-a-glance Working memory is like your brain's temporary workspace – It holds and manipulates information for short periods while completing tasks, different from both short-term memory and long-term memory storage. Intelligence and memory are separate systems – Highly intelligent children can have significant working memory challenges, leading to frustrating gaps between their …

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Story At-A-Glance ADD is outdated terminology – Medical professionals now use ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) for all attention-related challenges, with three different presentations rather than separate conditions. Three types exist – ADHD comes in predominantly inattentive (the old "ADD"), predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined types, each with distinct …

[Read more...] about ADHD vs. ADD: Understanding the Differences and What They Mean for Your Child