How Learning Disabilities Affect a Child’s Mental Health

December 5, 2022

For many children and teens, learning disabilities are a frustrating part of life. Learning disabilities not only bring a sense of shame and isolation, but they can also lead to mental health issues in some children.


What Are Learning Disabilities?


According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a learning disability is any disorder of the fundamental psychological processes involved in understanding or using language. These can ultimately result in difficulties thinking, listening, reading, writing, math, and spelling.


Learning disabilities are quite common among young children and teens. According to the NCES, of the 7 million students who receive special education services in the country’s public school system, 33% have at least one learning disability. Common learning disabilities children deal with are ADHD, dyscalculia (trouble with counting and numbers), dyslexia, and others.


Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Issues in Children and Teens


While a learning disability isn’t a mental health issue in and of itself, both are closely related. When children and teens have a delay in learning, they can feel as if their academic efforts aren’t paying off. They can feel like a failure and, if their classmates aren’t sensitive, they can also feel like the butt of many jokes. This puts children and teens with learning disabilities at a higher risk of developing anxiety and depression.


It’s important that parents and teachers of students with learning disabilities look for any signs of anxiety or depression. These may include:


  • Sudden fear
  • Worrying
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Irritability
  • Anger issues
  • Feelings of sadness and/or hopelessness
  • Changes in social behaviors (not spending time with friends)
  • Changes in appetite
  • Thoughts of harming themselves


Once any signs are noticed, parents should bring their child to a qualified mental health therapist. This professional will help the child manage their symptoms so they can better function at home and at school. Some sessions may include the parents while in other sessions, the therapist may want to work one-on-one with the child.


Many child psychologists use cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) to help children become aware of their own thoughts and feelings and then change their thoughts, emotions, and reactions to challenges at home and at school. CBT helps a child become independent and evaluate whether their thoughts and feelings or logical or distorted.


Does your child or teen have a learning disability? Do you believe this disability has caused them to develop depression or anxiety? If so, and you’d like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me. I would be happy to speak with you to see if I might be able to help.

 

SOURCES:

< Older Post

 Newer Post >
Wooden dominoes falling toward a businessperson cutout standing between them on a teal background.

5 Best Ways to Build Emotional Resilience After Career or Life Setbacks

February 12, 2026
Discover the top emotional resilience strategies to rebuild strength after life or career setbacks, with trusted guidance from Infinite Potential in CTX.
Woman seated on sofa, eyes closed, hands on chest, practicing deep breathing in sunlit room.

Top 7 Proven Anxiety Relief Strategies for Adults to Reduce Stress

January 16, 2026
Discover proven anxiety relief strategies for adults, including natural techniques and lifestyle changes to reduce stress and improve daily well-being.
Man sitting with hands covering face near a window, appearing distressed.

10 Natural Depression Treatments That Do Not Require Medication

December 19, 2025
Discover 10 natural depression treatments without medication, including therapy, nutrition, neurofeedback, and lifestyle changes that support recovery.
Purple silhouette head with a brain-shaped thought bubble containing a butterfly; six blue butterflies arch above.

Rewire Your Trauma, Reclaim Your Life: How Neurofeedback Heals the Brain’s Hidden Wounds

November 21, 2025
Discover how neurofeedback supports trauma recovery by retraining brain patterns for emotional balance, resilience, and long-term healing.
Glass cup and teapot of herbal tea with mint sprig, beside an open book.

5 Best Antioxidant Drinks You Should Be Adding To Your Diet Today

October 17, 2025
Want better brain and body health? Explore 5 antioxidant drinks you should add to your diet and read more about their benefits today.
Rainbow ribbon looped into an infinity symbol on a light blue background.

Understanding the Science Behind Neurofeedback for Autism

September 19, 2025
Explore how neurofeedback therapy benefits a high-functioning autism brain. Find out how a neurofeedback therapist can help improve focus.
Silhouette head with

How Neurofeedback Can Help Manage ADHD

August 22, 2025
Understand the impact of Neurofeedback ADHD on attention and behavior. Find out why this therapy is gaining attention. Read more here.
Person in green dress holding clipboard, facing another person with hands outstretched, seated on a couch.

Virtual Vs In-Person Therapy: Why In-Person Counselling Still Matters

July 23, 2025
See why In-Person Therapy offers benefits virtual sessions can’t. Learn how face-to-face counselling can support your mental wellness today.
Woman wearing glasses, hands on face, looking at a laptop in front of a white mug.

What Your Genetics Might Say About Your Stress Resilience

June 19, 2025
Discover what genetics reveal about Stress Resilience. Apply insights to reduce stress, improve focus, and support mental wellness now.
Woman in a school uniform, resting chin on hand, looking at a classmate in a classroom.

What Is Executive Dysfunction?

June 8, 2025
The brain has three main executive functions: working memory (which helps you remember what you’re doing at the present moment), cognitive flexibility (which helps you shift your thinking from one topic to another), and inhibition control (which helps you focus and stop yourself from saying and doing certain things). Executive dysfunction disrupts these functions, making it difficult for someone to manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. What Causes Executive Dysfunction? Researchers are still working to determine exactly what causes executive dysfunction, but studies suggest that it can result from various conditions, including: Addiction Alzheimer’s disease Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Autism spectrum disorder Brain tumors Cerebral hypoxia Exposure to certain toxins Dementia Depression Epilepsy Head injuries Huntington’s disease Infections Multiple sclerosis (MS) Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Schizophrenia Strokes Treatment for executive dysfunction will usually depend on the condition that caused it. What Are the Symptoms of Executive Dysfunction? Executive dysfunction can produce different symptoms in different people. If you have executive dysfunction, you may: Be easily distracted Find it hard to focus on one thing Daydream when you need to pay attention Focus too much on one thing Lack impulse control Have a hard time explaining your thought processes Struggle to motivate yourself to start difficult or boring tasks Have trouble planning or completing tasks Get easily interrupted partway through tasks Find it difficult to move from one task to another Learn More About Executive Dysfunction If you think you might be experiencing executive dysfunction, we encourage you to reach out and schedule an appointment. Our experienced therapists understand the impact that executive dysfunction can have on a person’s life, and we would love the opportunity to help you overcome the challenges you’re currently facing. Contact us today to get started.
Show More