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The other behavioral route children with LD may take is to become frustrated, check out, and get turned off to school. These two pathways – the charming cover-up or the aimless off-ramp – can continue throughout third and fourth grades, unless someone intervenes.
Behavioral signs of LD in a grade schooler may include:
- Not wanting to go to school
- Complaining about the teacher
- Saying the work is too hard
- Not wanting to show schoolwork to parents
- Refusing to engage in a task
- Avoiding assignments
- Seeking a great deal of attention and assistance from the teacher
- Saying negative things about his or her academic abilities such as, “I’m stupid”
Behavioral Signs of LD in Middle School
As kids move into middle school, behavioral signs of LD might show up as more and more excuses for not doing the homework and more resistance to reading and writing, says McIntyre."But that's human nature," he says. "We try to avoid things that are excruciatingly difficult, we try to avoid failing in school." A challenge might be good, but if it is beyond your child's current skill level, it can quickly become overwhelming. If the teacher asks kids to do something publicly, they often feel they have a choice: They can be bad or they can be dumb. "And bad trumps dumb as a public image thing," says McIntyre. "Sometimes kids are forced into the behavior we complain about. But they're just trying to protect their inner sense of self."
In addition to the signs that may show up in grade school, signs of LD in a middle schooler may include:
- Refusing to work at school or resisting doing homework
- Refusing to follow the teacher’s directions in order to get sent from the room
- Using other delay tactics to avoid doing an assignment
- Cutting class
- Bullying
Behavioral Signs of LD in High School
Sometimes behavioral signs of learning disabilities show up later – in high school or even college, says Curtis. How was this missed early on? Maybe a child has a less severe learning disability, making it harder to detect. Or, maybe you have a hard-working youngster who never wanted to ask for help. As the academic demands mount, however, so can frustration, anxiety, or depression. And, watching peers pick up things more easily adds insult to injury for a child who finds it harder to meet the challenges.A high schooler might engage in actions that reflect rejection of school or low self-esteem. A teen might reject school because he or she feels poorly served by it, says McIntyre. Or, poor self-esteem might surface due to a sense of failure and being unable to do what others grasp quickly.
In addition to signs that show up in middle school, behavioral signs of LD in a teen may include:
- Refusing to do homework
- Skipping school
Of course, with adolescents come all the other physiological changes that accompany this stage of life, reminds Shaw. This may make it more difficult to sort out the source of the behavior at this stage.
What Next?
If any of this sounds familiar, it's time to pursue a formal evaluation to get to the root of your child's behavior. Regardless of the cause, obtaining help may not only enhance your child's academic success, but also improve his or her relationships at school, at home, and in the world at large. And, that's something best not left to chance.Additional Resources
- Understanding Your Child's Puzzling Behavior: A Guide for Parents of Children with Behavioral, Social, and Learning Challenges
, by Steven E. Curtis, Ph.D.
- The Behavior Survival Guide for Kids: How to Make Good Choices and Stay Out of Trouble, by Thomas McIntyre
Annie Stuart is a freelance writer and editor with nearly 25 years of experience. She specializes in consumer health, parenting, and learning disabilities, among other areas.This article is made possible by a grant from the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation.
