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Deciphering Behaviour Issues vs Learning Disabilities: A Guide on How to Identify Learning Disabilities in the Classroom

11th September 2023

Every student has their own different personality and they behave according to that. However, many teachers not being able to recognize the concealed layer of learning disabilities in many children and consider them as normal behaviour of students. Moreover, as time passes by, every member who’s involved in the educational field eve is taking every possible step to support every child with special learning needs as much as possible.

In the image below, we can also see that the treatment market for learning disability is increasing as the years progresses.
 

  Source: verifiedmarketresearch.com

Every teacher should have an idea on how to identify learning disabilities in the classroom and those teachers who have pursued courses like Learning Disabilities Courses for Teachers know it pretty well.

However, in this blog post, we will be exploring understanding the behavioural pattern of students with learning disabilities and we will also get to know some useful tips on how to identify learning disabilities in the classroom successfully as well.

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So, without any further delay, let’s get started.

Understanding Behavioural Learning Disabilities Patterns in Students

1. Disinterested Behavioural Pattern

One of the most common behavioural patterns commonly found in students with learning disabilities is showing no interest in their academics. These students often appear disinterested in school, which can be a defence mechanism to conceal their inability to comprehend the content or read at the required level. Rather than admitting their struggles, they prefer to project indifference towards their grades.

2. Quiet Behavioural Pattern

Another type of behavioural pattern found in students with learning disabilities is being silent and quiet most of their time in school sessions. These individuals strive to blend in and go unnoticed among their peers. They may remain quiet, pretend to work, or even sleep during class. Rarely asking questions or engaging with teachers and classmates, their primary goal is to maintain their invisibility to avoid drawing attention to their difficulties.

3. Attention-Seeking Behavioural Pattern

On the other end of the spectrum, some students may exhibit disruptive and attention-seeking behavioural patterns. They may be loud, argumentative, or constantly seek attention from their peers and teachers. Students who have these tendencies, unintentionally create difficulty in the learning and teaching process for their teachers and peers.

Effective Strategies of How to Identify Learning Disabilities in the Classroom?

While behaviour problems primarily involve attitudinal and behavioural challenges, learning disabilities are rooted in cognitive difficulties that affect a student's ability to process and retain information. Here are some key indicators of learning disabilities:
 

• Academic Struggles

Students who have learning disabilities often encounter significant challenges in academic areas such as reading, writing, math, and overall comprehensive skills.

Despite their effort to keep up with their peer's academic pace, most of the time they find themselves falling behind and performing below the expected academic grade level.
 

• Inconsistent Academic Performance

One more notable characteristic of students with learning disabilities is the inconsistent performance that students display. While they may demonstrate proficiency in certain tasks or subjects, they often struggle with others. This inconsistency can be confusing and puzzling for both the students themselves and their teachers as well.
 

 

• Frustration and Anxiety

Students who have learning disabilities generally find themselves with feelings or emotions of frustration, anxiety, and low self-esteem as well. These academic struggles can leave them disheartened, leading to behavioural issues that stem from their underlying difficulties in learning.

Tips to Support Students With Learning Disabilities

Now let's get to know some effective strategies that can be employed by special education teachers or any teachers aiming to identify behaviour problems and learning disabilities in students. Here are some approaches worth considering;
 

• Building Relationships

It is crucial to establish personal connections with your students in order to accurately identify their needs. Take a few minutes each day for meaningful conversations beyond school-related topics. By developing a rapport with your students, you create an environment where they feel more comfortable seeking help and accepting support.
 

• Simple Assessments

Conducting straightforward evaluations can offer valuable insights into a student's level of skill. For instance, carrying out a quick one-minute reading fluency assessment can assist in identifying whether a student is facing challenges with reading comprehension. By privately evaluating their abilities, you create a safe environment for students to demonstrate their skills without feeling self-conscious.
 

• Collaboration with Other Members

Collaborating with other teachers, specialists and even parents can offer a holistic view of a student's behaviour and performance. Every individual around a student with learning disabilities may observe different aspects of a student's behaviour and academic capabilities. By gathering information and insights, you can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the student's challenges.

Identify Learning Disorders in Students to Support Them Better

There’s no denying that every student is different from others and behaves differently. However, most of the teachers falls for the surface-level behavioural pattern of student and not being able to understand the deep root cause of why the student is showing certain behavioural patterns in the classroom, most of the time it is connected to learning disabilities.

Moreover, those teachers who have pursued courses like Learning Disabilities Courses for Teachers, understand very well how to identify learning disabilities in the classroom and how to help those students to thrive in life anyways.

By employing the above-mentioned effective strategies for the identification of behavioural patterns of students with learning disabilities and implementing targeted interventions, teachers can make a significant impact on the academic and social-emotional development of students with behaviour problems or learning disabilities.
 

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Written By: Sonal Agrawal