Having Problems Learning

If you feel you are having difficulty learning it can be really tough.  You spend a lot of time at school and when you have a problem there it can affect how you feel about other things.  There are a lot of people you can ask for help and you have the right to speak to a trusted adult about any difficulties you are experiencing.

Every school is different about what kinds of supports and resources they have.  You probably have one or more teachers who are there to guide you and teach you specific subjects.  You might feel comfortable talking to your teacher about what’s going on or you might feel comfortable talking to a past teacher who you’ve gotten on well with in the past.

Your school might have a library where information is posted on study groups or peer support groups.  Some schools have student mentors that you can talk to if you’re finding things difficult and who can give you some tips.

It might help to think about where you can find out more about these things.  It’s important that you find someone you trust that you could talk with about what’s going on. You don’t have to deal with things alone, we know problems in school can seem really big and can affect all other parts of your life.

ADD is officially called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. The disorder is diagnosed by a psychiatrist or psychologist and is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, forgetfulness, impulsivity and distractibility. Some children with ADHD have trouble sitting still or controlling their behaviour, find it difficult to pay attention and stay focused on a task or activity.  If you have ADHD you have the right to get special help in your school and help with learning. If ADD is something you’re worried about you have the right to talk about it with someone you trust, a parent or another trusted adult.

Dyslexia is a type of learning difficulty.  People with a learning difficulty have trouble processing words or numbers.  They usually have a difficult time learning to read, it is not a disease and people with dyslexia are not lazy or stupid. Some people have a very mild form of dyslexia and others have a more severe form.  Some people work around it and others find it takes a lot of effort and extra work.  Children and adults with dyslexia learn differently. If this difference is not accommodated within the school, dyslexic children may have difficulty in learning to read, write, spell and handle numbers.  If you are dyslexic its important for you to remember that many other people are too, there is nothing wrong with you and you have the right to get all the support you need.  We all have different strengths and weaknesses. You may not find reading and spelling as easy as some of the things you are good at. This is not your fault, it’s not your parents fault and it’s not your school’s fault. It is something that just happens and you have a right to get support and help from a trained teacher, tutor, or reading specialist.