PsyD Many children with learning disabilities and attentional problems also struggle with modulating their feelings. They can feel easily overwhelmed by emotions and can sometimes act out impulsively. This, in turn, can affect their feelings about themselves.
Children build their sense of self-esteem from mastery of their environments and themselves.
If they find that they often cannot control themselves, they may feel quite bad about that. Impulsively acting upon feelings, particularly anger, can quickly affect peer relationships in a very negative manner. This can result in a downward, negative spiral. The child may feel bad about him or herself, act negatively in relationships, and worsen their self-esteem. If a child is more stressed, he or she will be less likely to be able to respond in a constructive manner to negative feelings.