Ask for help

Summer is over, and it’s time to go back to school. You’re in a new grade this year, learning all new things. Maybe you like school and find it easy. But if you don’t, or you know someone who doesn’t, there are some things you can do.

It starts in the brain

Not everyone has an easy time learning. Some people can read easily but have trouble with math. Some people do well in class but don’t enjoy games they play at recess. It’s all because of how your brain works.

Most of the time, your brain sends little signals to your body to do things. It happens so fast that you don’t even notice. But sometimes, those signals get mixed up or delayed. You might confuse the plus sign and minus sign in math class, even though you know the difference. You might have a hard time reading a word you’ve seen a hundred times. If that happens a lot, you might have a learning disability.

Having a learning disability is not your fault. It just means your brain doesn’t work the same way other peoples’ do.

How to know

Only a special test to can tell you whether you have a learning disability, but here are a few things you might notice if you have one.

• You have a hard time remembering things.

• You have trouble reading or writing.

• You have a hard time following directions.

• You find it’s hard to concentrate in school.

• You feel frustrated when you’re trying to do schoolwork.

What to do

No matter what you think the reason might be, if you’re having trouble in school, the best thing to do is talk to the teacher or your parents. You might have a learning disability, or you might just be having a hard time with new material. Either way, it’s important for you to try to learn it, so asking for help is the best first step.