Learning
disability.
Learning disability refers to
significant learning problems in an academic area.
Learning disabilities, or learning disorders, are
an umbrella term for a wide variety of learning problems. A learning disability
is not a problem with intelligence or motivation. Kids with learning
disabilities aren’t lazy or dumb. In fact, most are just as smart as everyone
else. Their brains are simply wired differently. This difference affects how
they receive and process information.
People with a learning disability
have trouble performing specific types of skills or completing tasks if left to
figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways.
LDs can affect many different areas:
- Spoken
language—problems in listening and speaking
- Reading—difficulties
decoding or recognizing words or understanding them
- Written
language—problems with writing, spelling, organizing ideas
- Math—trouble
doing arithmetic or understanding basic concepts
- Reasoning—problems
organizing and putting together thoughts
- Memory—problems
remembering facts and instructions
- Social
behavior—difficulties with social judgment, tolerating frustration and
making friends
- Physical
coordination—problems with handwriting, manipulating small objects,
running and jumping
- Organization—trouble
with managing time and belongings, carrying out a plan
- Metacognition
(thinking about thinking)—problems with knowing, using and monitoring the
use of thinking and learning strategies, and learning from mistakes
What
causes learning disabilities?
A
learning disability happens when a person’s brain development is
affected, either before they are born, during their birth or in early
childhood. Several factors can affect brain development, including:
·
the
mother becoming ill in pregnancy
·
problems during
the birth that stop enough oxygen getting to the brain
·
the
unborn baby developing certain genes
·
the
parents passing certain genes to the unborn baby that make having a
learning disability more likely (known as inherited learning disability)
·
illness,
such as meningitis, or injury in early childhood
Sometimes
there is no known cause for a learning disability.
Some
conditions are associated with having a learning disability, such as cerebral palsy. This is because people with
these conditions are more likely to have one. Everyone with Down’s syndrome,
for example, has some kind of learning disability, and so do most people with
cerebral palsy. People with autism may also have learning
disabilities, and around 30% of people with epilepsy have a learning disability.
Preschool signs and symptoms of
learning disabilities
§
Problems
pronouncing words
§
Trouble
finding the right word
§
Difficulty
rhyming
§
Trouble
learning the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, days of the week
§
Difficulty
following directions or learning routines
§
Difficulty
controlling crayons, pencils, and scissors or coloring within the lines
§
Trouble
with buttons, zippers, snaps, learning to tie shoes
Ages 5-9 signs and symptoms of
learning disabilities
§
Trouble
learning the connection between letters and sounds
§
Unable to
blend sounds to make words
§
Confuses
basic words when reading
§
Consistently
misspells words and makes frequent reading errors
§
Trouble
learning basic math concepts
§
Difficulty
telling time and remembering sequences
§
Slow to
learn new skills
Ages 10-13 signs and symptoms of
learning disabilities
§
Difficulty
with reading comprehension or math skills
§
Trouble
with open-ended test questions and word problems
§
Dislikes
reading and writing; avoids reading aloud
§
Spells
the same word differently in a single document
§
Poor
organizational skills (bedroom, homework, desk is messy and disorganized)
§
Trouble
following classroom discussions and expressing thoughts aloud
§
Poor
handwriting
Problems with reading, writing,
and math
Learning disabilities are often grouped by
school-area skill set. If your child is in school, the types of learning
disorders that are most conspicuous usually revolve around reading, writing, or
math.
Learning disabilities in reading
(dyslexia)
There are two types of learning disabilities in
reading. Basic reading problems occur when there is difficulty understanding
the relationship between sounds, letters and words. Reading comprehension
problems occur when there is an inability to grasp the meaning of words,
phrases, and paragraphs.
Signs of reading difficulty include problems with:
§
letter
and word recognition
§
understanding
words and ideas
§
reading
speed and fluency
§
general
vocabulary skills
Learning disabilities in math
(dyscalculia)
Learning disabilities in math vary greatly
depending on the child’s other strengths and weaknesses. A child’s ability to
do math will be affected differently by a language learning disability, or a
visual disorder or a difficulty with sequencing, memory or organization.
A child with a math–based learning disorder may
struggle with memorization and organization of numbers, operation signs, and
number “facts” (like 5+5=10 or 5x5=25). Children with math learning disorders
might also have trouble with counting principles (such as counting by 2s or
counting by 5s) or have difficulty telling time.
Learning disabilities in writing
(dysgraphia)
Learning disabilities in writing can involve the
physical act of writing or the mental activity of comprehending and
synthesizing information. Basic writing disorder refers to physical difficulty
forming words and letters. Expressive writing disability indicates a struggle
to organize thoughts on paper.
Symptoms of a written language learning disability
revolve around the act of writing. They include problems with:
§
neatness
and consistency of writing
§
accurately
copying letters and words
§
spelling
consistency
§
writing
organization and coherence
Other types of learning
disabilities and disorders
Reading, writing, and math aren’t the only skills
impacted by learning disorders. Other types of learning disabilities involve
difficulties with motor skills (movement and coordination), understanding
spoken language, distinguishing between sounds, and interpreting visual
information.
Learning disabilities in motor
skills (dyspraxia)
Motor difficulty refers to problems with movement
and coordination whether it is with fine motor skills (cutting, writing) or
gross motor skills (running, jumping). A motor disability is sometimes referred
to as an “output” activity meaning that it relates to the output of information
from the brain. In order to run, jump, write or cut something, the brain must
be able to communicate with the necessary limbs to complete the action.
Signs that your child might have a motor
coordination disability include problems with physical abilities that require
hand-eye coordination, like holding a pencil or buttoning a shirt.
Learning disabilities in language
(aphasia/dysphasia)
Language and communication learning disabilities
involve the ability to understand or produce spoken language. Language is also
considered an output activity because it requires organizing thoughts in the
brain and calling upon the right words to verbally explain something or
communicate with someone else.
Signs of a language-based learning disorder involve
problems with verbal language skills, such as the ability to retell a story and
the fluency of speech, as well as the ability to understand the meaning of
words, parts of speech, directions, etc.
Common
Types of Learning Disabilities
|
Dyslexia
|
Difficulty reading
|
Problems reading, writing, spelling, speaking
|
Dyscalculia
|
Difficulty with math
|
Problems doing math problems, understanding time,
using money
|
Dysgraphia
|
Difficulty with writing
|
Problems with handwriting, spelling, organizing
ideas
|
Dyspraxia (Sensory Integration Disorder)
|
Difficulty with fine motor skills
|
Problems with hand–eye coordination, balance,
manual dexterity
|
Dysphasia/Aphasia
|
Difficulty with language
|
Problems understanding spoken language, poor
reading comprehension
|
Auditory Processing Disorder
|
Difficulty hearing differences between sounds
|
Problems with reading, comprehension, language
|
Visual Processing Disorder
|
Difficulty interpreting visual information
|
Problems with reading, math, maps, charts,
symbols, pictures
|
Other disorders that make learning difficult
Difficulty in school doesn’t always stem from a
learning disability. Anxiety, depression, stressful events, emotional trauma,
and other conditions affecting concentration make learning more of a challenge.
In addition, ADHD and autism sometimes co-occur or are confused with learning
disabilities.
The diagnosis and testing process
for learning disabilities
Diagnosing a learning disability is a process. It
involves testing, history taking, and observation by a trained specialist.
Finding a reputable referral is important. Start with your child's school, and
if they are unable to help you, ask your insurance company, doctor, or friends
and family who have dealt successfully with learning disabilities.
Types of specialists who may be able to test for
and diagnose learning disabilities include:
§
Clinical
psychologists
§
School
psychologists
§
Child
psychiatrists
§
Educational
psychologists
§
Developmental
psychologists
§
Neuropsychologist
§
Psychometrist
§
Occupational
therapist (tests sensory disorders that can lead to learning problems)
§
Speech
and language therapist
