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Learning Challenges
Understanding how you learn — and what gets in the way.
What are Learning Challenges?
Learning challenges — including learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia — are neurological differences that affect the way people process, retain and express information. They are not a reflection of intelligence or effort. Many highly capable individuals live with unidentified learning differences that have quietly shaped their relationship with school, work and self-worth for years.
Learning challenges affect people across the lifespan. For many the difficulties are first identified in childhood — through struggles with reading, writing or mathematics that persist despite effort and support. For others the challenges only become apparent in post-secondary education or the workplace, where demands increase and previous compensatory strategies are no longer sufficient.
At Karasick Psychology we provide psychoeducational assessment to identify learning challenges and their impact, alongside therapeutic support to address the emotional and psychological consequences of living with an unidentified or newly diagnosed learning difference.
Types of Learning Challenges
Learning challenges present differently depending on the areas of processing affected.
Dyslexia
A language-based learning disability affecting reading, spelling and decoding. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability and is neurological in origin — not a result of poor teaching, lack of effort or low intelligence.
▪ Difficulty decoding words and reading fluently
▪ Poor spelling despite repeated practice
▪ Slow and effortful reading
▪ Difficulty with phonological awareness
▪ Avoiding reading aloud or reading for pleasure
▪ Strong verbal ability that contrasts with written output
Dyscalculia
A learning disability affecting mathematical reasoning, number sense and the ability to understand and work with numerical concepts. Often underdiagnosed compared to dyslexia.
▪ Difficulty understanding number concepts and relationships
▪ Trouble with mental arithmetic and math facts
▪ Poor sense of time, direction and sequencing
▪ Difficulty managing money or understanding finances
▪ Anxiety around mathematical tasks
▪ Reliance on finger counting beyond expected age
Dysgraphia
A learning disability affecting written expression — including handwriting, spelling and the ability to organize and express thoughts in writing. Often occurs alongside dyslexia or ADHD.
▪ Illegible or inconsistent handwriting
▪ Difficulty putting thoughts into written words
▪ Slow and laboured writing
▪ Poor spatial planning on the page
▪ Avoiding writing tasks
▪ Large discrepancy between verbal and written expression
Auditory Processing Disorder
Difficulty processing and making sense of auditory information despite normal hearing. Affects the ability to follow verbal instructions, distinguish similar sounds and process information in noisy environments. Often occurs alongside ADHD.
▪ Difficulty following multi-step verbal instructions
▪ Asking for repetition frequently
▪ Struggling in noisy environments
▪ Difficulty distinguishing similar sounds
▪ Poor listening comprehension despite normal hearing
▪ Difficulty learning through auditory instruction
Processing Speed Difficulties:
Difficulty processing information quickly and efficiently — affecting the ability to complete tasks within expected timeframes, keep up in fast-paced environments and respond quickly under pressure.
▪ Taking significantly longer than peers to complete tasks
▪ Difficulty keeping up in class or meetings
▪ Feeling overwhelmed by time pressure
▪ Strong understanding of material but slow output
▪ Fatigue from the effort required to keep pace
▪ Performance that improves significantly with extra time
Working Memory Difficulties
Difficulty holding and manipulating information in mind over short periods — affecting the ability to follow multi-step instructions, complete complex tasks and retain information during learning.
▪ Forgetting instructions before completing them
▪ Losing track of steps in multi-part tasks
▪ Difficulty taking notes while listening
▪ Frequently losing belongings or forgetting appointments
▪ Difficulty holding information in mind while problem solving
▪ Strong long-term memory that contrasts with poor working memory
The Emotional Impact of Learning Challenges
The psychological impact of living with an unidentified learning challenge can be profound and far-reaching. Years of struggling without explanation — and without the right support — frequently results in damaged self-esteem, anxiety, avoidance and a deep sense of not measuring up despite genuine effort.
Many adults with learning challenges carry longstanding beliefs that they are lazy, stupid or not trying hard enough — beliefs formed in environments that did not have the understanding or tools to recognize and support their needs. A diagnosis — even later in life — can be powerfully reframing.
At Karasick Psychology therapy addresses not just the practical strategies for managing learning challenges but the emotional and psychological legacy of living with them — often for many years without understanding or support.
Psychoeducational Assessment
A psychoeducational assessment is the gold standard for identifying learning challenges and understanding their nature and impact. The assessment provides a detailed picture of cognitive strengths and weaknesses, identifies specific learning disabilities where present and generates recommendations for accommodations and support.
Assessment reports can be used to access formal accommodations at school, post-secondary institutions and in the workplace — including extended time, assistive technology and modified learning environments.
CONTACT INFO
- 403 633-6545
- admin@karasick.ca
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Monday - Thursday: 8am - 7pm
Friday: 8am - 1pm - Special times available upon request
Reaching out for therapy is hard, but struggling alone is harder. Contact us to learn how we can support your path toward healing, development, and lasting improvement.
