By: Carolina Cossio, School Psychologist
Many children struggle in school—some with reading, others with math or writing, and others in ALL three areas. These challenges may stem from specific learning disorders, or they may be influenced by other developmental, emotional, or environmental factors. Sometimes, children do not have the calm, supportive environment they need to thrive at school. They may face peer bullying or encounter teachers who lack patience, resorting to shouting, which can be overwhelming and distressing.
What’s most concerning is that many children lack the tools to understand or articulate what they are experiencing. Without the ability to process these difficulties, they internalize the belief that something is wrong with them. They compare themselves to peers who seem to succeed with ease and conclude, “If others can do it, I should be able to as well.” This mindset, coupled with the emotional toll of unmet expectations and the cognitive effort required to simply keep up with classroom demands—six to eight hours a day—can lead to behavioral and emotional difficulties.
Can you imagine spending six to eight hours a day under stress, feeling that
NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, IT IS NEVER GOOD ENOUGH?
These difficulties might include:
- Behavioral issues such as impulsivity, aggression, or frequent outbursts.
- Emotional struggles including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
It becomes a vicious cycle. The child’s behavior begins to affect relationships at school and at home, straining connections with parents, siblings, and extended family. What often begins as an academic difficulty can soon present as a behavioral concern—what we often see on the surface (what we call ‘Externalizing Problems’) is only the tip of the iceberg.
Beneath that behavior, there may be much more going on. Factors like:
- Specific Learning Disorders (e.g., dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia)
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Working memory deficits
- Auditory or sensory processing challenges
- Visuomotor Integration deficit
These conditions can significantly impact how a child takes in, processes, and applies information. And when these underlying challenges go unrecognized, they often manifest through frustration, avoidance, or disruptive behavior—not because the child wants to act out, but because they’re overwhelmed and unequipped to cope.
The Role of Parents, Educators, and Therapists
We all play a critical role in identifying what lies beneath challenging behaviors. It’s essential to look beyond the surface and ask: What is this behavior trying to tell us?
Watch for nonverbal cues: Does your child avoid homework, cry before school, complain of frequent headaches or stomachaches when it’s time to do assignments? These can be silent indicators of underlying stress or learning difficulties.
A Holistic Approach to Evaluation at Cadenza Center
At the Cadenza Center, we believe that comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations are key to uncovering the why behind a child’s behavior. That’s why academic functioning is a core part of our assessments—not just to identify learning challenges, but to understand how they may be impacting a child’s emotional well-being and behavior. Often, parents express their child seems anxious or depressed or angry but they cannot figure out why.
Recognizing the connection between learning and behavior allows us to intervene early, tailor support strategies, and guide families toward the right educational and therapeutic resources. With the right insights, children can begin to rebuild their confidence, strengthen emotional regulation, and feel empowered to succeed both in and out of the classroom.
If you suspect your child’s behavior may be linked to a learning difficulty, don’t wait. Understanding is the first step toward helping your child thrive.
