8 Learning Disabilities Every Homeschool Parent Should Understand

Feb 19, 2026 | Latest, Learning Differences

Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that makes reading, writing, and spelling hard for even gifted people. Their brains struggle to connect letters to sounds (phonological processing) and to process language. This leads to slow reading, poor spelling, and trouble sounding out words. You may be dealing with dyslexia if your child is experiencing these issues:

• Difficulty recognizing letters.
• Mixing up sounds in words
• Consistent letter/number reversals.
• Difficulty blending sounds.
• Erratic spelling.

Fortunately, there are many resources available for working with dyslexic children. Common approaches that have proven successful include multi-sensory reading programs, audiobooks, and simple patience with oral reading. With dyslexia, slow and steady wins the race.

2. ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) – Quiet Struggles to Focus

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a developmental condition characterized by inattentiveness and persistent difficulty focusing. Some signs of ADD include:

• Trouble paying attention (easily sidetracked).
• Avoiding long mental tasks (such as homework).
• Trouble staying on task during school, at home, or even at play.
• Being disorganized and forgetful.
• Not appearing to listen when spoken to directly.
• Not paying close attention to details.
• Losing things often.
• Making careless mistakes.
• And struggling to follow through with instructions.

It is important to note that today ADD is no longer considered distinct from ADHD. Rather, clinical diagnoses speak of ADHD Inattentive (formerly ADD) and ADHD Hyperactive-Impulsive. While the phrase ADD is still used in common parlance, this is not an official diagnosis.

Successfully teaching children with ADD requires clarity, structure, and effective time management. Utilizing clear routines, checklists, and chunking tasks into short time blocks are all time-tested strategies.

3. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) – The Need to Move

What is commonly called ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is more specifically known as ADHD Hyperactive-Impulsive. Children with this form of ADHD have tons of energy, which they struggle to keep regulated. They are constantly moving in ways that cause problems.

Symptoms include:

• Blurting out answers before a question is finished.
• Constantly interrupting others.
• Trouble waiting their turn.
• Talking too much.
• Constantly fidgeting, tapping, and squirming.
• Getting up when it’s not appropriate.
• Running or climbing in inappropriate situations.
• Inability to play quietly.
• And always being “on the go.”

While every child is going to exhibit some of these behaviors occasionally, children with ADHD exhibit them persistently and lack the ability to regulate themselves. Working with ADHD hyperactive children requires skillfully harnessing and working around their energetic impulses. Regular breaks for movement, hands-on learning, and working in short bursts are all effective. For more information, see our articles “Nine Tips for Homeschooling ADHD Children” and “ADHD Overview.”

4. Autism Spectrum Disorder – Thinking Differently

Autism spectrum disorder is a general name for an entire constellation of neurodevelopmental conditions of variable severity, especially difficulties with social interaction and communication. It’s called a “spectrum” because symptoms and strengths vary widely from child to child—some may have exceptional abilities in certain areas while facing challenges in others, such as understanding social cues, managing sensory input, or adapting to change.

Common signs include:

• Difficulty with eye contact or conversation.
• Repetitive behaviors.
• Intense interests in specific topics.
• Difficulty with transitions.
• Sensitivity to sounds/lights/textures.
• Delayed speech.
• Or a preference for solitary play.

Remember, these traits don’t diminish a child’s value or potential; they simply reflect a different way of experiencing the world. While homeschooling children on the autism spectrum requires a calm, predictable environment tailored to their needs.

Effective strategies include establishing clear routines and visual schedules; incorporating students’ special interests into lessons to motivate them; providing sensory breaks or tools (such as noise-canceling headphones); using visual aids and hands-on activities; and allowing flexibility in pacing.

For more on this subject, see our article “Supporting Neurodivergent Learners in Catholic Homeschooling.”

5. Dyscalculia – When Numbers Don’t Make Sense

Dyscalculia is a specific learning disability that impacts a child’s ability to understand numbers and math concepts, even when they are bright in other areas. It’s like dyslexia, but for math—the brain struggles to recognize quantities, memorize facts, sequence steps, or grasp abstract ideas like time and money.

Signs might include difficulty counting reliably, trouble with basic addition/subtraction, confusing math symbols, poor sense of direction or estimation, avoiding games involving numbers, or anxiety around math tasks.

Successful approaches often involve multi-sensory tools (like manipulatives or apps), real-life math applications (cooking, shopping), breaking concepts into small steps, using games and visuals, and allowing calculators or reference charts to reduce frustration while focusing on understanding.

6. Dysgraphia – The Writing Struggle

Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects handwriting and fine motor skills needed for writing. Children with dysgraphia may find it physically painful or exhausting to form letters, organize thoughts on paper, or even spell correctly.

Dysgraphic children may also have illegible handwriting, inconsistent spacing/sizing, grip pencils awkwardly, tire quickly from writing, or struggle to get ideas from their brains to the page coherently. Many children may struggle to learn to write or be less than enthused about it, but dysgraphia is more than a phase or a periodic lapse—it’s a neurological challenge involving the coordination of muscles and the planning required for written expression.

If your child has dysgraphia, you may want to consider reducing reliance on handwriting. Proven strategies include allowing typing or speech-to-text tools, using graphic organizers, allowing oral narration or dictation for assignments, providing pencil grips/thicker markers, incorporating keyboarding practice early, shortening written tasks, and focusing on content over mechanics until skills improve.

7. Auditory Processing Disorder – Hearing Without Understanding

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a condition in which the brain has difficulty interpreting sounds—especially speech—despite normal hearing. It’s not about volume. Rather, it’s about the brain’s ability to make sense of what it hears, particularly in noisy settings or when speech is rapid.

Symptoms often include difficulty following verbal instructions, confusing similar-sounding words, frequent requests to repeat things, struggling with phonics or reading aloud, poor spelling, or seeming inattentive when spoken to.

If your child has APD, make sure to create a quiet workspace free from noise and distractions. Helpful tips involve speaking clearly and slowly, using visual supports (written directions, pictures), incorporating multi-sensory teaching (touch, sight alongside sound), providing written summaries of lessons, and using tools like FM systems (wireless listening devices) or closed captions for videos.

8. Sensory Processing Disorder – The Nervous System’s Overload

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) occurs when the brain has difficulty receiving and responding to sensory information from the body and environment, leading to over—or under—sensitivity. For example, children might be overwhelmed by everyday sensations (loud noises, clothing tags, bright lights), which can trigger meltdowns.

Alternatively, they might seek intense physical sensations, such as crashing or spinning, to feel regulated. Common symptoms include extreme reactions to textures/smells/sounds; poor balance/coordination; excessive fidgeting; or avoiding/craving certain activities. A child with SPD requires an environment customized for sensory comfort.

Effective strategies include building a “sensory diet” with movement breaks, using fidget tools or weighted items, creating a calm workspace, incorporating heavy work activities (pushing/pulling), establishing predictable routines, and observing triggers to proactively manage overload.

Other Considerations and Overlapping Diagnoses

It’s quite common for children to experience more than one learning challenge at the same time. Overlapping conditions like ADHD and dyslexia, autism with sensory processing difficulties, or dysgraphia alongside dyscalculia are not unusual. This overlap doesn’t mean your child is “more broken”; it simply reflects the beautiful complexity of how God wired their brain.

As homeschooling parents, you have the advantage of observing your child closely over time, but it’s wise not to rush into self-diagnosis. If concerns persist or significantly impact daily learning and life, seeking a professional evaluation from a qualified psychologist, educational specialist, or pediatrician can provide clarity and access to targeted support.

And remember, a formal diagnosis is never a limiting label—it’s a helpful tool, like a map, that guides you toward the most effective strategies so your child can flourish in the unique way the Lord designed them to.

Embracing the Gift in the Challenge

Children are keenly aware of their developmental difficulties, especially as they notice differences between themselves and others as they grow. Without proper guidance, this can negatively impact their self-esteem, but it need not be so. I have always found it helpful to remind kids that many saints, scholars, and creatives had learning differences.

St. Joseph of Cupertino was called “the Gaper” because he spent most of his childhood staring blankly with his mouth wide open. St. Agatha Kim A-gi (d. 1839) was a Korean woman who longed for baptism. Her intellectual disability, however, made it impossible for her to learn the faith. Even the Hail Mary was too much for her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t memorize anything and was denied baptism. Nevertheless, she attained great heights of sanctity through her simple love of Jesus and Mary. It was only when she was arrested by the authorities and awaiting execution that she was finally baptized in prison. St. Bernadette had such difficulties that, by age 14, she still couldn’t count and couldn’t read at all. There’s a great Aleteia article by Meg Hunter-Kilmer about more of these saints who struggled with such disabilities. 

The point is, these challenges are opportunities to cultivate patience, compassion, and creativity in both parent and child. God made your child for a purpose—and you are uniquely equipped to guide them. I like to think of children with developmental disabilities as God’s wildflowers. Wildflowers are as beautiful and smell as sweet as cultivated flowers, but they follow their own trajectory of growth.

Conclusion: You’re Not Alone—And You’re Doing Holy Work

Homeschooling a child with learning differences can bring unique challenges, moments of fatigue, and even doubt. But it is also profoundly rewarding, allowing you to witness breakthroughs and growth that might otherwise be missed. You are doing sacred work, stewarding the precious soul God has entrusted to you with love and intention.

Remember, you’re not alone on this journey: reach out to supportive Catholic homeschooling communities, online forums, local support groups, or educational therapists who understand both your values and the flexibility of home education. Above all, hold fast to hope. Your child is fearfully and wonderfully made (cf. Ps. 139:14), and God has a beautiful plan for their life.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Join other homeschooling parents and me in the Homeschool Connections Facebook Group or in the HSC Community to continue the conversation.

EDITOR’S NOTE: We would like to address this topic in greater depth in future articles and on the Homeschool Connections Podcast.