Is your child learning to forget?

New Delhi: You could be extremely creative, talented, intelligent and social, and still have a learning disability then you could be suffering from what is known as the hidden or invisible disability.

And for that matter you could actually be suffering from it and may not know about it.

"I have a problem with my languages when it comes to discussing things in-depth. I find it difficult to express myself many a times, that's been the case all through,” says guitarist of Indian Ocean, Sushmit Sen.

Special educator Geet Oberoi describes Sen’s condition as he says, “it is a type of a learning disability. He seems to fit the bill more of a dyslexic.”

So what exactly is a learning disability?

It is a neurological disorder with a strong genetic component. There are several types of learning disability called LD for short including dyscalculia, which is a maths problem, dysgraphia, where a person finds it hard to form letters or write in a given space and dyspraxia, where there is difficulty with motor skills, like holding a pencil. This would show in the child's handwriting, for example.

And dyslexia, a problem with language, is the most talked-about learning disability. Up to four children in any given class could have a learning disability but it is still a largely unrecognised condition.

So what are the signs you should watch out for in your child?

"Children who do not acquire language, have delayed language, motor, cannot find things in space, cannot find toys, age-appropriate play well, colours, shapes and sizes. These are the children at risk,” says special educator, Ruchika Sachdev.

They are all signs that they might need help. And it is important to get that help as early as possible, since this is a lifelong condition.

It gets easier, and by adulthood you may find they put a completely different spin on things.

"I accepted my slowness of being, which could very well be portrayed as a disability. But I think that slowness has given me wisdom, probably depth in my music,” says Sen.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)

#Learning disabilities #dyslexia #children