Symptoms of learning disabilities to watch for include delays in language development, problems with speech, difficulties with coordination, and a short attention span. Children who have learning disabilities might have difficulty understanding what they see or hear. But remember, the existence of any of those symptoms does not necessarily mean the child has a learning disability. Parents who have questions or concerns about their childs development should speak to the child’s physician or an education expert.What else can parents look for? Watch for any child who is putting more energy into the learning process than would normally appear necessary. Parents need to be sensitive to how many and how often compensatory strategies are used to survive in the classroom.

Parents might ask, “Do I read the assignments to my child? Do I edit my child’s work before it is turned in? Must I work alongside my child for work to be completed? Does it take my child hours to complete simple homework assignments? Does my child have difficulty putting ideas down on paper? Does my child resist doing written work? Does my child dictate his work and then copy what I have written down?

Taken from pages 86-87 in Reading by the Colors Updated Edition by permission of Helen Irlen, the author.