How to Identify Preschool Children With Learning Disabilities

We all want our children to grow up healthy, happy and capable. However, some children are less able than others and may be born with a learning disability. While some learning disorders are incurable, others can be overcome with cognitive and academic interventions.  Because of this, early detection of learning disabilities during preschool can be a crucial step in obtaining proper treatment and care for these children.

1. Note when the child begins talking. Most toddlers begin saying their first words between 11 and 14 months, and most can say about 20 words by the time they are 18 months old. It is important to note, however, that all children develop at different speeds. If your child has reached all of her other milestones just fine and only has a problem with talking, you may have no cause for concern. 


2. Observe how well she can pronunciate. If the child is talking, does she talk with a lisp or leave off the beginnings or endings of her words?  Pronunciation problems are often associated with learning disabilities.


3. Can the child rhyme words?  Rhyming is often taught through nursery rhymes which are introduced during preschool.  Children should be able to rhyme simple words like “cat, bat, rat” and so forth. 


4. Be aware of the child’s ability to learn numbers, the alphabet, days of the week, colors and shapes. These are skills that are taught in preschool or at home. If the child has difficulty learning these, it could be an indicator that she has a learning disability.


5. Watch how well she can manipulate objects and move. Children with learning disabilities often have a slow development of their fine motor skills.


6. Observe how the preschooler interacts with her peers. Children love to play with each other, and if one consistently chooses not to join in or has trouble doing so, this may be a problem.

If you think that your child has a learning disability, take her to a professional to get an expert opinion. Don’t try to diagnose your child yourself, as you may overlook a serious problem.