Everyone wants their child or student to perform well. We want them to excel, to have high self-esteem, and to enjoy a solid career. But sometimes children have physical or mental challenges that make academic performance difficult.
Children are often branded as poor students, weak readers, slow learners, and underachievers among other common terms. These tend to be labels that stick with a child over the years, as if they offer an explanation for why the child is having trouble. Rarely do people explore why a student is falling behind or not performing in class so they can get to the bottom of the issue and correct the problem.
Whether the learning problem is related to reading, math, oral expression, or written language, much can usually be done to improve performance. When a child is having trouble with academics, it is important to explore possible allergies, nutritional imbalances, diet, sensory issues, and other physical and environmental factors to discover what may be playing a motivation and performance. Once identified, it is easier to correct the problem.
Approaches such as neurofeedback, Irlen glasses for scotopic sensitivity, homeopathy, special learning approaches, and sensory motor integration have proven beneficial for many families in addition to dietary and nutritional support.
Related articles are shown below. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can search using the box at the upper right of the page or browse our forums.
Toxic chemicals may be triggering the recent increases in neurodevelopmental disabilities among children—such as autism. attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and dyslexia—according to a new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Icahn School of Medicine at […]
Ricki Linksman is a recognized author and expert on memory optimization, identification of learning styles, and methods to enhance reading speed and comprehension. She is also on the advisory board for ACN Latitudes. Using the […]
Weak written language skills, known as dysgraphia, can seriously impact school performance. While some children have learning difficulties in all academic areas, sometimes children with written language difficulties can keep up in the classroom with […]
David faced more frustrations than a young adult should have to cope with. Anxiety. Depression. Irritability. Tics. Academic problems. Yet, he was most upset by his inability to read sheet music. You see, David had […]
Six types of brain-building questions for children of any age. Children are naturally inquisitive. If you’ve ever spent time with a 5-year-old, you were probably asked at least two questions in the course of a […]
MARY ANN BLOCK, MD Medical Director of the Block Center, Hurst, Texas My positive experience with nonpharmacological treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, and behavior problems inspired me to become a physician. […]
Helen Irlen is Founder and Director of the Irlen Institute and an advisory board member for ACN Latitudes. She answered questions posed by two readers. Question: We have a son whose eyes water when he […]
Ricki Linksman, MS This article was written in response to letter received by ACN Latitudes. A mother requested suggestions for helping her son, who has a kinesthetic learning style. The frustrations of your eight-year-old son […]