How the Learning Disabilities Cause Psychosocial Problems among children in South Sudan: A Case of Jamjang Refugee Camps

Abstract

The study on the learning disabilities and associated psychosocial problems among children in South Sudan started in 2022 to 2024. The deepening loneliness and vulnerability of the children with the learning disabilities that influence the psychosocial problems among children resulted from the conflict in Sudan, which scattered families, social fabric, community structures, and pushed the families to seek international protection. The families have limited access to livelihood and highly dependent on relief services that exacerbate the situation for nurturing children. The study aimed at ascertaining the presence of the learning disabilities, associated psychosocial problems and the ways to mitigate and address a growing phenomenon among refugee children in Jamjang camps. The study employed qualitative, quantitative, and ethnographical/anthropological method to explore the growing phenomenon. The tools used in the design includes questionnaires, interviews, and observations. The study ascertained the presence of the learning disabilities among children which consists of dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, auditory processing disorder, visual and perceptual disorder. These conditions were manifested in deficiency to write, spell, comprehend, articulate written point, grammatical errors, arithmetic calculation, and inattention. The study confirmed how the learning disabilities cause the psychosocial problems which includes low self-esteem, lack of confidence, anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, bully, stigma, and neglect. The finding confirmed the phenomenon can be addressed through mental health support, multisensory approaches, and Skinner’s Operant conditioning theory; Cognitive Behavioral theory of Bandura are crucial in reducing the adverse effects of the phenomenon. Keywords: Anxiety, Dyslexia, Depression, Dysgraphia, Learning Disabilities, Psychosocial.