Children who struggle in school sometimes act out — resisting homework or refusing to participate, even becoming disruptive in class. To parents and teachers, these kids may come across as defiant or disinterested. But in many cases, their behaviors are signs of an undiagnosed learning disorder.

This week at childmind.org, we are talking about how problem behavior can mask a learning disorder — because kids can act out when they are struggling. Tantrums and other outbursts can also be signs of anxiety, ADHD, or sensory processing issues, so it’s important to get to the root cause of a child’s behavior. You might pay attention to whether your kid is more likely to act up at school or at home, and in what circumstances. Ask their teachers, too. Are they more likely to misbehave when asked to read out loud or during math? Gathering specific information will be useful if your child has an evaluation, which can help get them the support they need.

— Michelle Shih, Managing Editor | ✉