THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM
According to the American Psychiatric Association, it is estimated that 5 per cent to 15 per share of school-age children worldwide have a learning problem, impacting their skills in reading, writing, or mathematical. Of these, around 80 per share have dementia, characterised by distinct reading difficulties.
In Singapore, 6.9 per cent of students in conventional primary and secondary schools, or around 27, 000 students, are reported to have special educational needs ( SEN). This includes, but is not limited to mild autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) and dyslexia and hearing loss.
If we take into account children who do not have proper symptoms, it would not be surprising if the real number is higher.
There is a pressing needed to tackle the help for these individuals.
For instance, individuals with dementia struggle with being misunderstood as having reduced intelligence or carelessness, but they really have a specific learning difficulty that affects speech control. Some dyslexic children are very smart and creative, but they have trouble with reading, writing, and writing because of their neural situation.
Individuals with ADHD struggle with forgetfulness and restlessness, which can prevent intellectual efficiency and lead to chronic underachievement. They usually face more challenges, including stress, depression and conduct disorders. These disorders can have lifelong consequences on a person’s social and emotional development.
In many of the students I’ve treated, I’ve witnessed how their personal and educational struggles, coupled with regular scoldings from parents and teachers, you weaken self-esteem, creating a vicious cycle where weak self-perception more impacts school performance and behaviour.
One of my individuals, a Primary 6 kid, would constantly scream in disbelief because he was so stressed out and irritable not to concentrate enough to finish his homework. Whenever that happens, it is heartbreaking for his family to see.
In my counseling sessions with other patients, I use this tale to illustrate the effects of neglected issues on a child’s mental well-being.
Social issues only make things worse, as learning disorders can make it difficult for children to keep good peer relationships, leading to loneliness and, in some cases, associations with criminal peers, which could lead to conduct disorders and aggressive behavior.