‘Learning Disabilities’ in
CHAPTER
41Children with Normal Intelligence
365
Some children, whose minds
in most ways seem quick and
normal, have difficulty learning or
remembering certain things.
For example, a child may have
great difficulty learning to read, often
mixing up certain words, letters or
numbers. Or he may have trouble
remembering names of persons, things
or places. These ‘blocks’ to learning
may happen in a child who is as
intelligent, or even more intelligent,
than most children the same age.
In developed countries at least
one child in 30 is thought to have a
The child who has difficulty learning or remembering
learning disability. In poor countries
certain things may show unusual skills or talents in
nobody knows how many. Any child
other ways. In some ways, he may prove to be more
who in the first years of life seems to
intelligent than average.
develop abilities and understanding
about as quickly as other young children, yet at a certain age begins to show difficulty
learning or remembering certain things, may have this kind of ‘special learning
disability’ (or call it what you like). Often these children are unusually active, have a
hard time sitting still, or may develop certain behavior problems.
WHAT TO DO
• These children (even more than most) have a great need for love, understanding,
and appreciation of the things they do well.
• It is very important not to treat these children as stupid or ‘mentally slow’. Praise
the child and try to help her develop in areas where she shows interest or ability.
• Often the best way to help a child learn in the area where she has special difficulty
is to introduce it, little by little, through activities the child likes and can do well.
For example, a child who has difficulty learning and using numbers, but likes
building things, can gradually begin to take measurements for cutting and shaping
the pieces for the things he builds.