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Learning Disabilities Across the Lifespan

Elementary: 5 - 12 years old


There are many changes that occur during the elementary years of a child’s life. At this time, children can dress themselves, catch a ball more easily with only their hands, and tie their shoes. Becoming independent from family becomes more important now. Starting school brings children at this age into regular contact with the larger world. Friendships become very important. Physical, social, and mental skills develop quickly at this time. This is a critical time for children to develop confidence in all areas of life, such as through friends, schoolwork, and sports.

The elementary child may seek more independence from parents and family, feel a strong sense of right and wrong, and begin to develop an awareness of the future, develop a growing understanding about one’s place in the world. They will begin to pay more attention to friendships and teamwork and have a growing desire to be liked and accepted by friends. There is also a rapid development of mental skills involving a greater ability to describe experiences and talk about thoughts and feelings with less focus on one’s self and more concern for others.

The focus of the academic curriculum is on learning to apply new skills. Learning to read and apply the necessary strategies to be a strategic learner in all academic areas is crucial for continued success.

Students in elementary school who are struggling may present with difficulties in the following areas, but not limited to:

Elementary:
  • Slow to learn the connection between letters and sounds
  • Confuses basic words (run, eat, want)
  • Makes consistent reading and spelling errors including letter reversals (b/d), inversions (m/w), transpositions (felt/left), and substitutions (house/home)
  • Transposes number sequences and confuses arithmetic signs (+, -, x,/, =)
  • Slow to remember facts
  • Slow to learn new skills, relies heavily on memorization
  • Unstable pencil grip
  • Trouble learning about time
  • Poor coordination, unaware of physical surroundings
Links:
LD checklist (.pdf)