Free 8-page parent checklist

Is My Child Struggling to Learn?

A checklist for spotting learning difficulties early. Dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia signs by age, what else it could be, and what helps — written by the clinical team at eMbrace, Delhi NCR.

Instant PDF download Includes a two-week observation log Written by the eMbrace clinical team

What’s inside the checklist

Eight pages, built to be read once and then kept for reference.

What dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia actually are

Plain explanations of each, and why they are not caused by laziness, poor parenting or low intelligence.

A checklist by school stage

Preschool, early primary, upper primary and secondary school — plus emotional and daily signs at any age.

Is it a learning difficulty or something else?

Vision or hearing issues, language mismatch, ADHD, anxiety, teaching gaps or giftedness with boredom can all look similar.

What helps, at home and at school

Practical strategies for home, and specific accommodations worth asking the school for.

What a psychoeducational assessment includes

Cognitive and achievement testing, screening for attention, anxiety and language, and a written report you can use for accommodations.

A two-week observation log

Printable log for homework and reading, plus the questions worth bringing to your consultation.

Before you read it

This is a checklist, not a diagnosis

Only a qualified clinician can identify a learning disability, through a psychoeducational assessment. The checklist is meant to help you organise your observations before you speak to the school or a professional.

Questions parents ask us

My child is clearly bright. Can it still be a learning difficulty?

Yes, and this is one of the most common reasons it gets missed. Specific learning disabilities make it harder to learn particular skills despite average or above-average intelligence, good teaching and effort. A child who understands things well when told but struggles to show it in writing is a classic pattern, not a contradiction.

How many checklist items mean I should get an assessment?

As a general shape: zero to three ticks, mostly emotional, is worth continued observation and a word with the teacher; four or more sustained over six-plus months is worth raising with the school and considering a professional opinion; four or more alongside emotional signs or falling grades means a psychoeducational assessment is worth booking without waiting for your child to "catch up".

Are learning difficulties recognised for school accommodations in India?

Specific learning disabilities are recognised in India under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and boards and schools commonly allow accommodations such as extra time, a reader or scribe, or language exemptions for a documented difficulty. Rules differ by board and change over time, so it is worth checking the current circular and raising it with the school early.

Could it be something else entirely, like a vision problem or ADHD?

Yes — vision or hearing problems, a mismatch between the language used at home and at school, ADHD, anxiety, gaps in teaching, and giftedness with boredom can all produce a similar picture. Many children have more than one thing going on, which is why a thorough assessment looks at all of them together rather than assuming the first explanation.

What does a psychoeducational assessment at eMbrace involve?

Cognitive testing such as the WISC-V, achievement testing for reading, writing and maths compared with ability, screening for attention, anxiety and language factors, and a written report with a clear profile and recommendations your child's school can use for accommodations.

Rather just talk to someone?

A free 15-minute call with our intake team is often enough to know whether an assessment, a few therapy sessions, or simply some home strategies is the right next step. No obligation, no waiting list to join, and a clinician — not a call-centre — on the other end.