Recommended interventions for children with specific learning disorders

Jakarta (ANTARA) -

Appropriate intervention can help children with specific learning disorders such as dyslexia build coping mechanisms to achieve their learning targets at school.

Paediatric specialist in growth, development and social paediatrics, Farid Agung Rahmadi, said that the treatment of specific learning disorders is aimed at helping children apply learning strategies suited to their needs.

“So can the child return to normal after improvement? Not that it disappears completely, but rather it persists. However, the expectation is that they can cope,” said dr. Farid Agung Rahmadi, M.Si.Med., Sp.A, Subsp. T.K.P.S.(K), in an online seminar organised by the Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI) on Tuesday.

He explained that interventions to address specific learning disorders need to be carried out in a structured and intensive manner, according to the type of difficulty the child faces.

For example, he continued, children with dyslexia can be helped by applying systematic phonics instruction, decoding exercises and support to build reading fluency.

Parents can help children complete tasks by breaking them down into smaller steps, using visual or audio media support, and appreciating the child’s efforts to learn.

Teachers at school can help by identifying difficulties and applying interventions such as individual or group learning adjustments.

If a child still struggles to learn after these steps have been taken, parents and teachers can coordinate to arrange for the child to undergo assessment and receive the necessary support from professionals.

Dr Farid said that professional health workers can carry out assessment and diagnosis, identify accompanying conditions, draw up intervention plans and monitor the development of children with specific learning disorders.

With professional support, children with specific learning disorders are expected to develop learning strategies appropriate to their needs.

“So the goal is the same: how this child can reach the same learning targets as their peers,” said dr. Farid.

He noted that specific learning disorders are indeed permanent, but this does not mean the child cannot develop.

With the right support from family, school and professionals, children with specific learning disorders can build the ability to overcome their difficulties and realise their potential.