Treatments for Learning Difficulties & Aggression in Children

Children with learning difficulties and aggression can be a lot to handle for a parent. Studies have shown that there is a correlation between learning difficulties and aggressive behavior, and it is easy to understand how the two could feed into each other. Learning a few coping strategies and treatments for the problems associated with learning difficulties and aggression is a good way to help your child interact peacefully with other children and learn more efficiently.

Identify

• There are many different causes for learning difficulties, and learning more about the specific issue your child has is a necessary step for treatment. The child may have dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia; which are issues with reading, numeracy, and writing, respectively. Within these broad categories there are also more precise definitions. Tailor your efforts to suit your child's needs. See Resources for more information.

Work with Learning Style: Auditory

• People learn in different ways. There are auditory learners, kinesthetic learners, and visual learners. The category your child falls into can help determine the best method for teaching him new skills. Auditory learners take in information more efficiently when listening to sounds, or discussing the topic with other people, and often display a love for music.

Work with Learning Style: Kinesthetic

• Kinesthetic learners prefer to learn by doing things, such as making models, using props and other hands-on methods. They may be interested in things such as dance and martial arts.

Work with Learning Style: Visual

• Visual learners like to learn by looking at things. The use of diagrams, charts and video stimulus can help these children pick up new information. Children who learn visually may be artistic, or well-organized. Tailor your teaching to suit your child's learning style.

Individualized Education Program

• Work with your child's school to create an individualized education program. This is a program that helps you and your child's school work to tailor learning to your child's specific needs. This also includes annual educational goals and any necessary supplementary aids for your child's communication. See Resources for more information.

Problem-Solving Skills

• Teaching your child to more efficiently deal with day-to-day problems has been shown to have a positive effect on children who have problems with aggressive behavior. There are many programs and courses tailored to this effect, but it can easily be worked on at home. Encourage your child to use positive and co-operative solutions to problems. Help your child learn to analyze and deconstruct problems and suggest non-violent solutions to problems they have.

Think About Yourself

• Parents play a vital role in how children learn to interact with others and cope with problems. If you are inclined to rage when something doesn't go your way, your child will pick up on that and apply the same coping strategies. When your child is present, do your utmost to be a fantastic example. Also, think about the way you communicate with your child. It is important to remember that learning difficulties can foster problems with aggressive behavior, and that your child isn't just aggressive. Work with them towards positive solutions to problems, and try not to lose your patience.