# Early Signs of Specific Learning Disability on a Home Visit

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-early-signs-of-specific-learning-disability-should-a-frontline-health-worker-look-for-during-a-home-visit
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

On a home visit you cannot diagnose Specific Learning Disability — it is usually confirmed only after schooling begins (age 6–8). Note early markers in talking, pre-literacy and pre-number skills, plus persistent parent or teacher concern, rule out hearing and vision, and refer a cluster of signs for developmental assessment.

*During a home visit, you see a child in their own world — and the small patterns a worried parent describes are often the first thread of a learning difference worth following up.*

## In short
Specific Learning Disability (ICD-11 6A03, developmental learning disorder) is usually confirmed only after formal schooling begins (around age 6–8), once reading, writing or number skills fall persistently below age expectation despite good teaching. In a younger child you are not diagnosing — you are noting *early markers* in language, pre-literacy and pre-number skills, and gently flagging them for follow-up.

## Early markers to note on a home visit
**Language & talking (3–5 years)**
- Late or unclear speech; trouble learning new words
- Difficulty with rhymes, or recognising words that sound alike
- Muddling the order of sounds in familiar words

**Pre-literacy & pre-number (4–6 years)**
- Hard time learning letters, numbers, days of the week or colours
- Trouble holding a crayon or copying simple shapes
- Difficulty following two-step instructions or remembering sequences

**Once at school (6+ years) — ask the parent**
- Reading far below classmates; guessing or skipping words
- Reversing letters or numbers well past age 7
- Spelling, writing or simple sums far harder than expected
- Avoiding schoolwork, or "clever child who can't read" — a classic gap between ability and achievement

**Always note:** persistent parental or teacher concern, and a family history of reading or learning difficulty.

## When to refer
Avoid a "wait and see" stance when these markers persist across home and school and the child is otherwise alert and trying. A single sign is not a diagnosis — but a cluster, with parental concern, justifies onward referral. First rule out hearing and vision problems, then route to a developmental assessment. Diagnosis is a clinical decision made after age-appropriate testing, never from a home checklist.

## The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis of [Specific Learning Disability](/specific-learning-disability) are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — the [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) is a clinician-administered structured assessment that supports, never replaces, your judgement. Where language is the early concern, [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) can begin support while assessment is arranged.

## Trusted sources
Aligned with WHO ICD-11 (6A03 developmental learning disorder), CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early.", the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

**Next step —** note your concerns, check the child's hearing and vision, and help the family book a developmental assessment with the Pinnacle clinical team on WhatsApp: +91 91001 81181.

## Sources
- WHO ICD-11 6A04 · Developmental learning disorder: https://icd.who.int/browse11
- CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early.: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): https://www.healthychildren.org

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