From the Learning Disabilities Association

WARNING:
This list only aims at guiding parents in their attempt to understand their child's difficulties. A professional assessment is necessary for diagnosis.

Characteristics that may indicate a need for interventions:
1. a lack of self-confidence
2. learned helplessness
gives up easily; depends on others to solve his/her problems
3. impulsive
does not consider consequences of actions; unreflective
4. very withdrawn or exceptionally boisterous
has few friends
5. perseverative
may repeat the same questions and comments over and over, always returning to his/her favorite topic, and yet not see the effect this has on the listener
6. distractible
cannot seem to focus attention; poor listener; often misunderstands rules and directions in games
7. does not understand the impact of his/her behaviour
does not accept consequences for his/her actions
8. has difficulty participating in a normal conversation
frequently misses the point, interrupts often; lacks the ability to take the perspective of others
9. lacks a sense of humour
takes expressions of sarcasm, irony and humour literally
10. has not learned age-appropriate independence skills
11. does not interpret non-verbal cues successfully
facial expression and body language indicating humour, exageration or boredom, for example, may be totally overlooked
12. unsure/unaware of expected social rules
e.g., tone of voice for speaking in a library or cinema; proper distance between people when speaking or sitting; when to touch or shake hands with someone; who to share intimate information with
13. has a poor concept of the passage of time
has not mastered age-appropriate sequencing concepts such as telling time or knowing the days of the week, months and seasons of the year, or holidays; seldom meets deadline
14. disorganized behaviour
lacks strategies to imagine probable outcomes of events, control impulses, or plan behaviour in advance

The information on this web site is only for general informational purposes. It is not intended to substitute professional evaluation. If you feel that professional interventions are necessary, please check with approprite professionals.

Designed by J La ROCHELLE and M TREMBLAY

© 2001-2005. Last Modified - February 2008