While 15% to 20% of children experience learning difficulties, DYS disorders affect only 5 to 7% of school-age children, and only 1% to 2% have severe forms that impact their schooling and daily life. It is therefore essential to understand these disorders and identify them, so that, where needed, they can be addressed to improve or compensate for the affected functions. On this front, a multidisciplinary team is definitely an asset!
Specific learning disorders
DYS disorders refer to difficulties with learning to read, write, spell, express oneself, and/or concentrate. According to the international DSM-5 classification, dyslexia reflects a deficit in reading, dysorthographia a deficit in written expression, and dyscalculia a deficit in calculation. These difficulties are generally associated with a disorder of oral language (dysphasia), coordination (dyspraxia), and attention (ADHD or ADD).
In 40% of cases, a child develops several DYS disorders, such as dyslexia and dyspraxia, or dyscalculia with ADD/ADHD. At the same time, other peripheral difficulties may appear, whether psychological (performance anxiety, lack of self-confidence…) or behavioural (anger outbursts, mutism…).
The benefits of a multidisciplinary assessment
Once certain signs have been identified, it is essential to see a doctor to establish a formal diagnosis. Coordinating the overall picture, the doctor may recommend a multidisciplinary assessment based on the child’s symptoms. This way, the professional benefits from a more detailed approach, with specific insight from each speciality.
Commonly requested, a speech-language assessment evaluates language, both written and oral, as well as logico-mathematical reasoning. Less common, an occupational-therapy assessment can explore the child’s motor skills and grip, visual and tactile perception, spatial organisation, and independence in daily life. With a neuropsychological assessment, the professional can identify mental processes, highlighting the impaired and the well-functioning ones. Carried out as an interview, before a clinical exam and screening tests, a paediatric neurological assessment can also shed light on the support needed, as can a child psychiatric assessment for psycho-emotional or psychological disorders such as anxiety and depressive states.
Towards support tailored to the child’s DYS disorder(s)
In light of these various assessments, the doctor will be able to guide you towards tailored support. In some cases, the identified DYS disorders will require multidisciplinary follow-up, including accommodations at the child’s school, and support from an AESH (teaching assistant for pupils with disabilities) or an AVS (school life support assistant).
Where relevant, the doctor coordinating the assessment may suggest a placement in a specialised class, such as ULIS units (localised units for school inclusion) or UPI units (integration teaching units). At the same time, the child can be supported with remedial therapy or psychological support.
Finally, parents, don’t hesitate to consult the professionals on the Ora-Visio platform, available online, to maintain a balanced relationship with your child and draw on the principles of positive parenting.
