Selecting the Right School for Children with Learning Differences

Some children think and learn differently; these learning differences often emerge as they progress through school and should be addressed immediately if possible. To realize their full potential, students should be in a school that specializes in their learning difference and tailors its teaching methods to meet different learning profiles.

What are learning differences?

Learning differences refer to difficulties individuals face in learning and developing certain skills for at least six months. Learning differences can include:

• Dyslexia. Individuals with dyslexia have a hard time reading, spelling, and writing.
• Dysgraphia. This refers to an individual’s struggle with writing and with expressing their thoughts in written form.
• Dyscalculia. This refers to the weaknesses in understanding the meaning of numbers and applying mathematical principles to solve problems.

Students can have difficulty with just one of these facets or with all three. It’s important to note that these learning differences are not due to a lack of intelligence or desire to learn. These are also not due to environmental factors, such as not being taught to read, write, or do math.  

Minor modifications in conventional teaching methods can help students overcome these learning differences. Students with dyslexia or dysgraphia could benefit from untimed tests, oral examinations, or alternatives to written assignments like video reports. For students with dyscalculia, playing math-based games and using actual objects that relate to the real world (i.e., buttons, marbles) in place of numerical figures can help develop and cultivate a more intuitive feel for numbers. 

Have your child assessed by a learning professional

Learning differences are usually identified once a child is in school. It’s best to have the evaluation done by a learning expert. A professional and comprehensive evaluation can help confirm whether a child indeed has learning differences and if they are eligible under federal law for special education services. This can also help establish benchmarks to measure the child’s progress.

Learning specialists usually work as a team to do the evaluation. The team may include a psychologist, a special education expert, and a speech-language pathologist.

Boarding schools to support learning differences

While you can find tutors to help your child overcome their learning differences from the comfort of your home, a boarding school provides the environment, individualized attention, and the 24/7 support they need to be the best version of themselves.

Currey Ingram Academy is a boarding school in the South that aims to be the global leader for students with learning differences. By promoting strengths and supporting differences, students receive the education they truly deserve.

“What sets Currey Ingram Academy apart is the teachers and staff.  Without exception, we have found every teacher and staff member at CIA to be exceptionally caring, kind, devoted, and capable,” a parent shares.

“We are so thankful for this school and knowing that my child is safe, happy, and learning new things every day gives us such comfort during these unprecedented times.”

Get in touch or schedule a tour to learn more about Currey Ingram Academy today.

Currey Ingram Academy is a boarding school in the South that supports and empowers students with learning differences to achieve their fullest potential – academically and socially – within an environment that fosters holistic student development. Get in touch by calling (615) 507-3173.