Some underlying causes of learning difficulties
Integrated Learning Therapy (ILT) is a neurodevelopmental approach that takes note of all the factors that can interfere with a child’s ability to cope with learning and living. This means that we aim for an holistic view of the child rather than focusing on a narrow range of possible causes of learning disabilities. As a result, we tend to almost ignore the symptoms of the disability. We aren’t interested in treating the symptoms – we want to get to the root of the matter.
This is also why we avoid using labels. So many children are labelled – such as ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, OCD and so on and on. Certainly these brain-related disorders exist but too many children are given the labels without due care and consideration of what actually may underlie the behaviours they display. Once labelled, the treatment follows the prescribed course for the label and then a child may be administered serious medications that are actually inappropriate, useless and even harmful.
So in looking for the causes, what do we find most often?
- Nutrition
We are what we eat – no doubt about it! If children are showing signs of learning problems, then you need to seriously consider their diet and eliminate the major offenders: colourants, preservatives and additives. That means avoiding processed food and going back to the basics. Buy good quality protein and combine it with fresh vegetables and/or fruits. If your child is a picky eater, you’ll need help in resolving the diet – we are always prepared for those!
- Gut health
You’ve probably read about the significance of a healthy digestive system for general health and the gut’s intimate relationship with the brain. Believe those articles because we’ve proved the connection over and over again. Of course, gut health is related to diet and other factors but it is important enough to stand alone as a frequently encountered cause of learning problems. If you feel that your child often seems listless and unwell even though the doctor finds nothing wrong, has tummy complaints like constipation, winds and/or runny tummy and craves sweets or starchy foods, then you need to check that the problem isn’t in his or her digestive system.
- Environmental offenders
These include allergens, pollutants, heavy metals and parasites. We might not find these in every child with a learning disability but the air and water in some areas of the country does contain heavy metals; certain parasites cause behaviour issues (often extreme bad moods and lack of cooperation) and pesticides certainly impact on health. In turn, health affects one’s attitude towards learning and ability to concentrate. Allergies are also related to the immune system, which in turn is dependent on a healthy gut. So once again, the diet, gut health and general health are interrelated. This is one of the reasons why ILT practitioners so often exclaim ‘Nothing stands alone!’
- Brain development and function (neurodevelopment)
It stands to reason that if hitches occur during the time that the brain develops (in utero and during life), learning can be negatively affected. There are ways of checking a child’s neurodevelopmental status and this is especially important whenever signs of slow development, failure to reach milestones and any unusual difficulties with school-related tasks are noticed. Sometimes early signs can be seen in movement difficulties, such as
- Being late to crawl, stand, walk, reaching for objects; difficulty jumping, skipping, hopping, climbing; clumsiness, walking in a straight line, climbing up and down stairs,
- Fine motor difficulties such as managing buttons, dressing independently, tying shoelaces, using eating utensils, throwing a ball, colouring between the lines.
There are many signs that can help to identify why a child, with perfectly normal intelligence, may have school difficulties.
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