First, Know That You Are Not Alone

Many children experience challenges at school at some point during their education.

Some difficulties may be temporary and improve with time, while others may reflect differences in how a child learns, processes information or participates in the classroom.

Struggling at school does not mean your child is lazy, not trying hard enough or incapable of success.

Many children who experience learning difficulties are intelligent, creative, capable learners who simply require different supports, strategies or teaching approaches.

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Step 1: Talk With Your Child

​Start by having an open and supportive conversation.
You might ask:

• What parts of school feel easy?
• What parts feel difficult?
• Are there subjects you avoid?
• Do you find reading hard?
• Do you find writing hard?
• Is maths difficult?
• Do you feel worried about schoolwork?
• Is there anything you wish teachers understood?

The goal is not to solve the problem immediately but to better understand your child's perspective.
Children often provide valuable insights into challenges that may not be obvious to adults.

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Step 2: Speak With The Teacher

Teachers observe children in learning environments every day and can often provide useful information about academic performance and classroom participation.

Questions you may wish to ask include:

• How is my child progressing compared to classroom expectations?
• Are there concerns regarding reading, writing or mathematics?
• Does my child require additional support?
• Have similar concerns been observed at school?
• What strategies are currently being used?
• Have any interventions already been trialled?

Teachers can often help identify patterns that may warrant further investigation.

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Step 3: Identify Where The Difficulties Occur

Understanding the area of difficulty can help guide next steps.

Reading Difficulties
Your child may:

• Read more slowly than peers
• Avoid reading
• Struggle to sound out words
• Have difficulty understanding written information

This may indicate a need for literacy support or further assessment.

Writing Difficulties
​Your child may:

• Avoid writing tasks
• Produce limited written work
• Have difficulty organising ideas
• Experience persistent spelling difficulties

This may indicate a need for additional support relating to written expression.

​Mathematics Difficulties
Your child may:

• Struggle with number concepts
• Have difficulty learning maths facts
• Become frustrated with numeracy tasks
• Require significantly more support than peers

This may indicate a need for further exploration of mathematical learning skills.

Attention & Organisation Difficulties
Your child may:

• Have difficulty staying focused
• Forget instructions
• Lose belongings
• Struggle to complete tasks

Sometimes these difficulties may occur alongside learning challenges.

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Step 4: Focus On Strengths As Well As Challenges
When concerns arise, it can be easy to focus entirely on what is difficult.

However, identifying strengths is equally important.
Your child may demonstrate strengths in areas such as:

• Creativity
• Problem-solving
• Practical learning
• Verbal communication
• Visual thinking
• Sports
• Technology
• Music
• Relationships

Recognising strengths helps build confidence and supports a balanced understanding of your child's abilities.

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Step 5: Seek Support Early

You do not need to wait until difficulties become severe before seeking support.
​Early support may help:
​
✔ Reduce frustration
✔ Improve confidence
✔ Identify learning strengths
✔ Support academic participation
✔ Develop effective learning strategies
✔ Prevent small challenges becoming larger barriers

Seeking support early is often easier than trying to address difficulties after years of frustration have accumulated.

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Step 6: Consider Whether An Assessment May Help

An assessment may be helpful if:
✔ Difficulties have persisted over time
✔ Progress remains slower than expected
✔ Teachers have raised concerns
✔ Existing supports have not been effective
✔ Learning challenges are affecting confidence
✔ You would like a clearer understanding of strengths and support needs

Assessments do not exist simply to provide diagnoses.
Their primary purpose is to better understand how an individual learns and identify recommendations that may support success.

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What Types Of Assessments Might Help?
Depending on the concerns, different assessment pathways may be appropriate.

Learning Difficulties Assessments
For broad concerns relating to academic performance and learning.

Psychoeducational Assessments
For understanding cognitive abilities, academic achievement and learning profiles.

Cognitive Assessments
For exploring thinking, reasoning, memory and problem-solving skills.

Dyslexia Assessments
For concerns relating to reading and literacy development.

Dysgraphia Assessments
For concerns relating to written expression and writing difficulties.

Dyscalculia Assessments
For concerns relating to mathematics and numeracy difficulties.

ADHD Assessments
Where attention, concentration and executive functioning difficulties are present.

Autism Assessments
Where social communication, sensory or developmental differences are contributing to challenges.

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Support Can Start Before A Diagnosis

Many families delay seeking support because they believe a diagnosis is required first.
In reality, support can often begin before a formal diagnosis is made.
Examples may include:

• School-based supports
• Literacy intervention
• Tutoring
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Pathology
• Parent coaching
• Educational accommodations

The focus should be on addressing support needs rather than waiting for a label.

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How Belong Health Can Help

​Belong Health offers a multidisciplinary approach to supporting children experiencing learning and educational challenges.
Services may include:
Psychology Assessments

• Learning Difficulties Assessments
• Psychoeducational Assessments
• Cognitive Assessments
• Dyslexia Assessments
• Dysgraphia Assessments
• Dyscalculia Assessments
• ADHD Assessments
• Autism Assessments

Occupational Therapy
Support for executive functioning, organisation, attention and classroom participation.

Speech Pathology
Support for language, literacy and communication development.

Counselling
Support for emotional wellbeing, confidence and coping with school-related stress.

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Need Help Understanding What To Do Next?

If your child is struggling at school and you're unsure what support, assessment or intervention may be appropriate, Belong Health can help you explore available options and identify practical next steps.

Contact our team to discuss your concerns and learn more about available supports and assessment pathways.

​Book a free 20-minute call with our team

Our team is here to help call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us an email here

Frequently Asked Questions - What To Do If Your Child Is Struggling At School

Does struggling at school mean my child has a learning difficulty?
​Not necessarily. Children may struggle at school for many different reasons, including learning difficulties, attention and concentration challenges, anxiety, emotional wellbeing concerns, social difficulties, communication differences, or changes in their environment. Assessment can help identify contributing factors.

Why is my child struggling at school?
Children may struggle at school for many reasons, including:

• Learning difficulties
• Dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia
• ADHD
• Autism
• Anxiety or emotional wellbeing concerns
• Speech and language difficulties
• Attention and concentration challenges
• Friendship or social difficulties
• Changes at home or school

Understanding the underlying cause can help guide appropriate supports.

How do I know if my child has learning difficulties?
Some signs may include:

• Difficulty learning new concepts
• Challenges with reading, writing, or maths
• Trouble remembering instructions
• Avoidance of schoolwork
• Reduced confidence at school
• Taking longer than peers to complete tasks

Assessment can help determine whether learning differences may be contributing to these challenges.

What are the early signs of learning difficulties?
Early signs may include:

• Delayed literacy development
• Difficulty learning letter sounds
• Trouble recognising words
• Challenges with handwriting
• Difficulty following multi-step instructions
• Problems remembering information
• Frustration with learning tasks

Early identification may help children access support sooner.

What are common learning difficulties in children?
Some common learning difficulties include:

• Dyslexia (reading difficulties)
• Dysgraphia (writing difficulties)
• Dyscalculia (mathematics difficulties)
• Language-based learning difficulties
• Attention and concentration difficulties

Every child presents differently, and assessment can help identify specific areas of need.

What are the signs of dyslexia?
Signs of dyslexia may include:

• Difficulty learning to read
• Challenges sounding out words
• Poor spelling skills
• Slow reading speed
• Difficulty remembering sight words
• Avoidance of reading activities

Dyslexia affects individuals differently and can occur alongside other learning differences.

What are the signs of dysgraphia?
Signs of dysgraphia may include:

• Difficulties with handwriting
• Poor letter formation
• Slow writing speed
• Difficulty organising written work
• Fatigue during writing activities
• Avoidance of writing tasks

Assessment can help determine whether dysgraphia or other factors may be contributing to writing challenges.

Could ADHD be affecting my child's school performance?
Some children with ADHD experience difficulties with:

• Attention and concentration
• Following instructions
• Organisation
• Completing tasks
• Impulse control
• Emotional regulation

These challenges can affect learning, classroom participation, and academic progress.

Could Autism be affecting my child's school experience?
Some autistic children may experience challenges related to:

• Social communication
• Sensory processing
• Emotional regulation
• Flexibility and transitions
• Classroom participation
• Attention and concentration

Every autistic child is different, and supports should be tailored to their individual strengths and needs.

What should I do if my child suddenly starts struggling at school?
A sudden change in school performance may be related to:

• Learning difficulties
• Anxiety or stress
• Friendship difficulties
• Emotional wellbeing
• Attention and concentration changes
• Family or environmental changes

Speaking with your child's teacher and seeking professional advice may help identify contributing factors.

Should I wait and see if my child catches up?
Every child develops differently. If difficulties are persistent or affecting confidence, wellbeing, participation, or learning progress, seeking advice may be beneficial.

When should I speak to the school?
If concerns have continued for several weeks or months, it is usually helpful to speak with your child's teacher to better understand how they are progressing in the classroom environment.

Does my child need a diagnosis before receiving support?
No. Many supports and interventions can begin before a diagnosis is made. Children may benefit from support based on their functional needs and learning challenges.

What if my child is bright but still struggling?
Many children with learning difficulties have average or above-average intelligence. Assessment can help identify strengths, learning differences, and support needs.

When should my child have a learning assessment?
Assessment may be worth considering when difficulties:

• Persist over time
• Affect confidence or wellbeing
• Impact academic progress
• Cause frustration around learning
• Continue despite support at school

Assessment can help identify strengths, challenges, and recommendations.

What is a learning assessment?
A learning assessment explores areas that may be affecting a child's learning and school participation.
Depending on the concerns, assessment may examine:

• Cognitive abilities
• Reading and literacy skills
• Writing skills
• Mathematics skills
• Attention and concentration
• Memory and processing
• Communication skills

Can learning difficulties improve with support?
Many children benefit from targeted support strategies that build on strengths and address specific areas of difficulty.
Appropriate supports may help improve confidence, participation, and learning outcomes.

What professionals can help if my child is struggling at school?
Depending on the concerns, support may involve:

• Clinical Psychologists
• Educational Psychologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech Pathologists
• Teachers and school support staff
• Paediatricians

The most appropriate supports will depend on the child's individual needs.

Can school difficulties affect my child's confidence?
Yes. Ongoing challenges at school can sometimes affect:

• Self-esteem
• Motivation
• Participation
• Emotional wellbeing
• Peer relationships

Understanding the reasons behind difficulties can help children access appropriate supports and build confidence.

What if my child refuses to go to school?
​School refusal can occur for many reasons, including anxiety, learning difficulties, social challenges, bullying, emotional wellbeing concerns, or sensory difficulties.
Understanding the underlying cause is important when identifying appropriate supports.

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