Preschool Children | Although children's growth patterns vary among individuals and within individuals, uneven development or significant delays in development can signal the presence of a learning disability. It is important to keep in mind that the behaviors listed below must persist over time to be considered warning signs. Any child may occasionally exhibit one or two of these behaviors in the course of normal development.

Follow up:

Language

• Slow development in speaking words or sentences
• Pronunciation problems
• Difficulty learning new words
• Difficulty following simple directions
• Difficulty understanding questions
• Difficulty expressing wants and desires
• Difficulty rhyming words
• Lack of interest in story telling

Motor Skills

• Clumsiness
• Poor balance
• Difficulty manipulating small objects
• Awkwardness with running, jumping, or climbing
• Trouble learning to tie shoes, button shirts, or perform other self-help activities
• Avoidance of drawing or tracing

Cognition

• Trouble memorizing the alphabet or days of the week
• Poor memory for what should be routine (everyday) procedures
• Difficulty with cause and effect, sequencing, and counting
• Difficulty with basic concepts such as size, shape, color

Attention

• High distractibility
• Impulsive behavior
• Unusual restlessness (hyperactivity)
• Difficulty staying on task
• Difficulty changing activities
• Perseveration; the constant repetition of an idea; inability to move on to a new idea

Social Behavior

• Trouble interacting with others, playing alone
• Prone to sudden and extreme mood changes
• Easily frustrated
• Hard to manage, has temper tantrums

What can you do if you notice any of these signs?

• Talk to your pediatrician.
• They will know if the problems are severe enough for you to seek additional help and will have referrals for you.
• Talk to the director or teacher of your child's pre-school if they attend one. See if they are noticing the same behaviors at school and work with them to develop a plan that can help your child be successful.
• Consult with someone trained in evaluating for learning disabilities. Even if an evaluation is not necessary, they can often give you strategies that can be used at home and at school to assist your child in the areas needed.