Breaking the Barrier: Overcoming the Stigma of Learning Difficulties for Accessible Learning

In the world of education, the diversity of learning is vast and multifaceted. Each student comes with a unique set of strengths, weaknesses and learning styles. However, despite growing awareness of learning differences and disabilities, a pervasive stigma continues to surround individuals who face learning difficulties.

This stigma not only hinders their personal growth and academic achievement but also prevents the establishment of a truly accessible learning environment for all. It's high time we address this and work collectively to break down barriers that hinder accessible learning for everyone.

Growing up in Nigeria, it’s not common to hear a child has a learning difficulty. You are labelled as ‘too playful’, ‘too unserious,’ ‘dumb’ and other negative terms. I have always believed that nothing is too hard to learn as long as you teach it the right way. The important thing to note is the “right way” differs from person to person. The misguided perception of ‘dumbness’ looms, overshadowing the brilliance that exists beneath the surface.

Throughout secondary school, I consistently achieved high grades and received top marks in academic pursuits. At the same time, I also found myself switching numbers and letters. Some recurring examples were my ‘3s’ that metamorphosed into ‘Es’, ‘9s’ contorted into ‘Ps’ and ‘4s’ shape-shifted into ‘Fs’.

I never noticed it till my math teacher pointed it out to me in my IGCSE year when it became even more apparent. He taught me how to work through these and gave me tips. He is still my favourite teacher. If it weren't for him, learning would be a much more difficult process for me today.

I also struggled to solve problems in class. I usually spent the early morning, breaks, and lunch periods working through assessments. Because I struggled with sensory overload, I found that these were the only times I could work through equations. For me, there were always too many people, noises, and sources of distraction to ever fully focus. The issue was never solving a math problem or thinking through steps- I just needed the right space and to follow a technique my brain could process to ace it.

Quick Side Bar!

How to Overcome Sensory Overload

At school, I could not use a lot of these because they were against the rules. As I said, I was my most productive self working during meal times when no one was around - (please do not do this. Eating is important to learn well, I paid the price for this with extensive headaches.) Try some of these methods at home and school:

-(Asking to) Use the bathroom and pour some water on your face

-Take deep breaths using the 4-7-8 Breathing technique. 4 seconds breathing in, 7 seconds holding your breath and 8 seconds breathing out.

-Fidget with a squishy, soft toy.

Personally, listening to rain storms at home is what works best for me. Try some of these and let me know what works best for you in the comment section!

Understanding the Stigma:

The stigma associated with learning difficulties stems from a combination of social misconceptions, a lack of awareness, and a historical prejudice that sidelines those who learn differently. Such stigmatisation can lead to negative stereotypes, diminished self-esteem, and reduced opportunities for individuals who are already grappling with challenges in their learning journey. This cycle perpetuates a sense of shame and silence, preventing those affected from seeking the support they need and deserve.

Impact on Learning:

The consequence of stigmatising learning difficulties is far-reaching. When students fear being labelled and judged, they may avoid seeking help, leading to both academic struggles and emotional distress. Yes- children feel emotionally distressed, and yes- children get anxiety. The cycle of stigma can ultimately lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy when individuals internalise negative perceptions and limit their potential.

Breaking the Barrier

1). Education and Awareness: The first step towards breaking the stigma is fostering awareness and understanding. Schools, academic institutions, and communities must engage in open dialogue about learning difficulties. Providing accurate information about various learning challenges and their prevalence helps dispel myths and misconceptions. As Africans, we tend to believe these struggles are something that can be “prayed away”. You cannot pray away a learning difficulty and should not put in the minds of children that they are struggling to learn because of anything supernatural. People's minds work in different ways- Embrace it. Capitalise on it. Several factors contribute to the learning process: the environment, the curriculum, the testing methods, and the coursework. We need to focus on these factors and use them to positively impact how children are educated.

2). Inclusive Language: The words we use matter. Shifting the language from derogatory terms to respectful and person-centred vocabulary is crucial. Instead of labelling someone by their difficulty, focus on their strengths and potential. The simple change can foster a more positive and inclusive environment.

Example: "I am so impressed by how creative you are! Your artwork shows your unique imagination."

3). Embracing Neurodiversity: Neurodiversity recognises that human brains are naturally distinct and that differences in learning and cognitive functioning should be celebrated. Embracing this perspective encourages a shift from a deficit-based mindset to one that values the unique contributions of every individual.

4). Support Systems: Establishing robust support systems is essential for accessible learning. This includes providing specialised instructions, individualised education plans, and targeted interventions that address specific learning needs. Creating a safe space for students to seek help without fear of judgement is crucial. As I said earlier, there was a point I struggled to learn, and never mentioned it to anyone. This isn't because people were not supportive. I just didn't have the words to explain it and wanted to avoid disappointing people who had high expectations of me. (This fear takes a big turn in University, so STAY TUNED!)

5). Empowerment and Self-Advocacy: Individuals with learning difficulties should be empowered to advocate for themselves. Teaching self-advocacy skills and fostering a sense of agency can help students navigate challenges and communicate their needs effectively.

How to build self-advocacy skills:

• Build self-awareness: Help children understand their strengths, weaknesses and learning style.

• Encourage communication: Teach children how to express their needs and feelings clearly and confidently. Encourage them to ask questions, seek clarification and voice concerns.

• Provide information about their learning disability: Educate them about what it is, how it affects them and strategies to help them overcome them.

• Practice decision-making: Allow children to make decisions within appropriate contexts.

• Teach self-regulation: Help children recognise their emotions and develop strategies for managing stress, frustration and anxiety.

• Encourage independence & praise effort and persistence: Give children the opportunity to take responsibility for their learning and daily tasks. Reward them for their effort and persistence.

• Encourage self-reflection: Regularly encourage children to reflect on their experiences, challenges and successes. This helps them learn from their experiences and make improvements.

6). Teacher Training: Educators play a pivotal role in shaping students’ experiences. Comprehensive teacher training on recognising and addressing learning difficulties is vital. This training should emphasise the importance of creating an inclusive classroom where all students feel valued and supported. Supportive teachers transform the experience of children in the classroom. With the wrong teacher, you break a child’s willingness to learn a particular subject. I am 100% sure I hate physics today because my physics teacher was mean. I lacked enthusiasm for going to his classes which diminished my eagerness to learn. Eagerness and curiosity aid an effective learning process and I did not have any (for physics). I also started hating math when I changed schools and my teacher said things like, “You think you are smart but (you) can’t solve this problem” and “I don’t like you”. In 3 months, I went from someone who never got below an A in math to averaging a C. Thankfully, I have the most supportive mother who came to bully the school into changing my teacher and I went back to getting As.

“Education is not a mechanical system, it’s a human system. There are conditions where people thrive and there are conditions where they don’t”.

7). Promoting Resilience: Building resilience in students with learning difficulties helps them develop coping strategies and a growth mindset. When they see challenges as opportunities for growth, they are more likely to persevere and succeed.

Conclusion:

Overcoming the stigma of learning difficulties is not just a moral imperative but a necessary step toward creating a truly accessible and inclusive learning environment for all. By challenging misconceptions, adopting an inclusive mindset, and providing targeted support, we can break down the barriers that hinder the growth and potential of individuals with learning differences. kẹkọ aims to pave the way for a future where every student can thrive regardless of their unique learning journey. We will soon be launching 'The kẹkọ code'. Here we will give tips on how to teach specific learning difficulties and how to learn with them.

See you soon!