There are many things that can effect a child's performance in school. In order to know how to help a child succeed it is critical to know what the child's strengths and weaknesses are so the help given will lead to success.
What is a language based learning disability?
When a child begins to struggle in school parents and educators are responsible for identifying why. This can be a very difficult process especially since there are a wide variety of professionals children are referred to in an attempt to get the answers parents and professionals need. However, one area that is not given enough attention is the child's speech and language skills. Often when a speech and language evaluation is recommended I will hear, "he talks just fine" or "he has great language skills, he talks all the time." These may be true statements but speech and language development is much more than simply understanding and expressing language. These are the skills which lay the foundation for future learning. In turn, these skills are developed more after a child learns to read and becomes and independent learner. A vicious cycle of failure and frustration is set into motion when one aspect of this cycle is off. Below is a list of "symptoms" or red flags that a child has a language-based learning disability. Also, there are detailed descriptions of the different types of language-based learning disabilities like Dyslexia.
What is a Language Based Learning Disability (LBLD)?Language-based learning disability (LBLD) refers to a spectrum of difficulties related to the understanding and use of spoken and written language. LBLD is a common cause of students' academic struggles because weak language skills impede comprehension and communication, which are the basis for most school activity. Patricia W. Newhall
Language-Based Learning Disability: What to Know (http://www.ldonline.org/article/56113/) According to ASHA.... "Language-based learning disabilities are problems with age-appropriate reading, spelling, and/or writing. This disorder is not about how smart a person is. Most people diagnosed with learning disabilities have average to superior intelligence." Here is a link to the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and their information on a language-based learning disability. http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/LBLD.htm |
Common Difficulties for students with LBLD
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Warning Signs for a Language Based Learning Disabilties
Common Academic Challenges:
- History of a speech and Language impairment (remediated or persistent)
- Poor phonological awareness skills: rhyming and segmenting and blending sounds in words
- Lack familiarity with basic print concepts even though they have had appropriate exposure
- Poor knowledge of letter-sound relationship (phonics)
- Poor organization
- Poor attention in class/excessive daydreaming
- Ongoing difficulty decoding familiar words
- Slow, labored, disfluent reading of grade appropriate text
- Poor reading comprehension
- Difficulty remembering basic math facts
- Difficulty putting their thoughts into writing
- Poor performance in one specific area or subject
- Poor performance on tests despite the fact they have studied
- Overuse nonspecific vocabulary - this, that, over there, thing, stuff
- Inappropriate or loosely related responses
- Poor topic maintenance – usually rapid and inappropriate changes
- Requests repetition of information without an obvious improvement in comprehension
