When Problem Behavior Masks a Learning Disability

How to tell if a child who’s acting out actually needs help in school. Every parent has experienced (or seen) a child melting down at school drop-off. But for the family of one 7-year-old, tantrums at the entrance were a daily occurrence. The girl was so distraught about going to school that she would cry and cling to her mom until the principal came out and physically helped her through the front door.

What was initially assumed to be anxiety or a behavior disorder turned out to be a learning disability. “When we assessed her, we found that she had dyslexia, ” says neuropsychologist Angela Dewey, PhD. “She wasn’t being defiant — she was overwhelmed by reading and writing tasks.”

Children who struggle in school sometimes act out — resisting homework, refusing to participate, even becoming disruptive in class. To parents and teachers, it may come across as defiance or disinterest. But in many cases, these behaviors are signs of an undiagnosed learning disorder that can make school more challenging.

“A lot of times, parents come in saying their child is out of control,” says Dr. Dewey, who evaluates kids at the Child Mind Institute’s Gund Learning and Diagnostic Center. “What we sometimes find is that there’s an underlying learning issue that’s driving the behavior.”

Understanding the connection between behavior and learning disorders can help parents and educators provide the right support — and prevent children from falling behind academically and socially.