Bright children with low academic grades may have specific learning disorders

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A paediatric specialist in growth, development and social paediatrics, Dr Farid Agung Rahmadi, has stated that children regarded as bright but with low academic grades may possibly be experiencing a specific learning disorder.

According to Dr Farid Agung Rahmadi, M.Si.Med., Sp.A, Subsp. T.K.P.S.(K), specific learning disorder (SLD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes persistent difficulties lasting at least six months in one or more core academic areas such as reading, writing and mathematics.

At an online seminar on dyslexia in children held by the Indonesian Paediatric Society (Ikatan Dokter Anak Indonesia) on Tuesday, he explained that SLD is linked to specific weaknesses in certain cognitive processes, such as phonology, working memory, processing speed, or visual-spatial ability.

He said the condition can make it difficult for a child to learn particular academic subjects while having good abilities in other areas.

The doctor, a graduate of Diponegoro University, emphasised that SLD is not caused by low intelligence, laziness, lack of discipline, lack of motivation to learn, or parenting mistakes.

“So we should not rush to label a child as lazy, or even stupid. On the contrary, we must recognise the pattern of their difficulties,” he said.

“A child can take part in classroom discussions and may have strong abilities in non-academic problem solving,” he said.

According to him, children with SLD require a different approach and support. “Not merely ‘try harder’ or ‘be more diligent’,” he said.

He highlighted the need for parents and teachers to pay attention to children who experience persistent learning difficulties, gaps between oral comprehension and academic achievement, low grades in certain subjects, or refusal to attend school.

He said early detection of learning disorders is important to determine the intervention or learning support the child may need.

The management of specific learning disorders, he continued, is aimed at helping children learn according to their needs so their potential can develop optimally.

He noted that managing children with specific learning disorders requires the involvement of parents, teachers, health workers, psychologists and related professionals.