Red Flags

 Common Warning Signs/Red Flags for Learning Disabilities

Note: These warning signs vary with each child and all signs may not be present. A very strong warning sign is any family history of learning disabilities/difficulty – they are genetic.

Speaking

Trouble with articulation, persistently mispronounces words. Trouble using correct verb tenses, plurals, or pronouns

Listening

Trouble rhyming, playing sound or word games

Word finding

Knows colors, but cannot name them when asked

Sequencing

Difficulty telling an event or story in order or sequence

Auditory memory

Difficulty remembering multiple-step directions

Fine motor skills

Difficulty cutting with scissors, tying shoes, or blowing nose

Uncoordinated

Clumsy, messy eater, poor at skipping, trouble learning motor skills

Sensory processing

Overreacts to or avoids sounds, touch, fabrics, foods, smells or lights

Speaking

Persistently mispronounces words, and slow word finding when talking

Phonological Awareness

Misses or changes sounds in words that are heard, spoken, or read

Reading and Spelling

Difficulty learning to sound-out words for reading and spelling. Relies on sight words, reading is slow, effortful, & unpleasant

Sequencing

Errors when reading – e.g. says “was” for saw; telling an event in order

Auditory Memory

Difficulty following directions, learning phone number

Handwriting

Awkward pencil grip, presses too hard on paper when writing, hand fatigues

Focus

Trouble concentrating at home and school; wears out before a task is done

Self-esteem

Repeated difficulties or frustrations lead to lower self-esteem

Speaking

Persistently mispronounces words, and slow word finding when talking

Phonological awareness

Misses or changes sounds in words that are heard, spoken, or read

Reading

Slow; avoids it; relies on sight words; guesses and makes successs

Spelling

Poor spelling, poor memory after spelling test, mixes up letters in words

Writing

Avoids it; written sentences are short and poorly organized or ordered

Auditory memory

Difficulty following or remembering multiple-step directions. Difficulty remembering alphabet for phonebook or dictionary use

Handwriting

Effortful, messy, awkward grip, presses too hard on paper with pencil

Focus

Trouble concentrating; wears out before task is done; loses place on a page

Self-esteem

Increasing frustration and poor self-esteem

Language Expression

Difficulty putting ideas in words and sequencing them appropriately

Foreign Language

Trouble learning other languages, e.g. Spanish, French

Achievement Tests

Much better at math than reading, poor performance on FCAT