Learning Disabilities in Calgary

If you child has a learning disability, finding the right support structure for them is important. If you are looking for autism support Calgary has a few good options. Whether you choose Rocky Point Academy (where the autism support Calgary link refers you) and their Davis Dyslexia based program, or go through one of the Calgary school boards, we recommend you do some research as to make an informed decision.

Understanding your kids’ learning process

Have you ever wondered why we forget some things and others we do not? Some of us learn well, while others struggle. Most often, these questions are asked about kids and young adults, who might not be performing well in school. Well, all the answers are in memory, which is one of the most prized skills we humans possess. Memory is the brain’s sole and most important function. Therefore, to understand memory and underlying learning issues, we need to understand first how the human brain functions before discussing memory and how to improve learning processes for our kids by optimizing memory.

The brain

The brain – the most vital organ of our body – is a jelly-like object weighing roughly 3 pounds, composed of 80% of water. With trillions of cells and neurons, the human brain is also the most complex organ in our body. There are several parts to the brain. They are each responsible for a specific set of functions. The brain is basically divided into four hemispheres: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. Memory and temper are regulated by the temporal lobe. Our parietal and occipital lobes control our senses of direction and vision, while our frontal lobes control judgment and planning. Along with these lobes, other areas include the Anterior Cingulate Gyrus, the Prefrontal cortex, the Amygdala and Limbic areas, and the Cerebellum.

Every action we take, every feeling we have, every thought we have, is controlled by our brain. If something has gone wrong with it, we cannot function correctly. In a healthy brain, your kids’ relationships with others would be happy, and he or she would excel in all academic and non-academic activities. In contrast, if the brain is not functioning properly due to factors like brain injuries, sleep issues, lack of physical activity, etc., your child will be sadder, more isolated, will lag behind his or her peers, and may even suffer from dementia. A positive side to this is that you can help your child overcome his or her brain weakness with proper understanding and training.

The memory

Memory refers to the process of storing information in the brain over time. The information we see, listen to, and experience is stored in the brain. Sometimes, kids’ may find it difficult to recall what they have memorized. The students may remember a piece of music they’ve heard, but not what they’ve been taught several times in class. Memory plays a crucial role in this. Encoding, storing, and retrieving information are the three main stages of memory.

The process of Encoding:

We receive information through encoding. There are four ways by which our brains encode information: visual (how something looks), audible (how something sounds), semantic (what something means), and tactile (how something feels). Your kids’ ability to retain information will depend on how attentive they are.

Storage of information

Once the information is encoded, the storage will decide how, where, and how long the information should be retained. There are two types of storage: short term (also known as working memory) and long term. In short-term memory, encoded data is first stored. If necessary, it is then stored in the long-term memory According to some researchers, information that is encoded acoustically is primarily kept in Short-Term Memory (STM) by repetition (rehearsal). Long-Term Memory (LTM) has a large storage capacity, and information stored there can be kept forever.

Recalling the information

Using the information stored in LTM or STM requires retrieving or recalling the information. How well children retrieve information often determines how well they perform. As a result of its reliance on a reconstruction of memory, retrieval can result in errors. It retrieves information from storage. Reconstruction is necessary when stored information is lost over time as a result of decayed retention. The rate of memory decay (of newly learned information) is affected by both your memory strength and how long has passed since you learned it.

Read about Memory and Learning Here