Learning disabilities

Learning disabilities are a group of neurological disorders which become evident in childhood and are characterized by difficulty in learning, reasoning, problem solving, and abstract thinking. They are not due to physical, mental, or environmental factors. Learning disabilities can affect one's ability to read, write, speak, spell, compute math, and reason. They can also affect one's attention, memory, coordination, social skills, and emotional maturity.

Definition

Learning disabilities are defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations.

Types

There are several types of learning disabilities, including:

• Dyslexia: Difficulty with reading, writing, and spelling.
• Dyscalculia: Difficulty with math.
• Dysgraphia: Difficulty with handwriting.
• Dyspraxia: Difficulty with fine motor skills.
• Auditory processing disorder: Difficulty hearing differences between sounds.
• Visual processing disorder: Difficulty interpreting visual information.

Causes

The exact cause of learning disabilities is unknown, but they are thought to be caused by differences in the way a person's brain works and how it processes information. Children with learning disabilities are not "dumb" or "lazy." In fact, they usually have average or above average intelligence.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of a learning disability involves a comprehensive evaluation by a team of professionals. The team may include a psychologist, a special education expert, and a speech-language pathologist. The evaluation includes a review of the child's school and medical history, observations of the child, and standardized tests.

Treatment

There is no cure for learning disabilities. They are a lifelong condition. However, with appropriate support and intervention, people with learning disabilities can achieve success in school, at work, in relationships, and in the community. In Federal law, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, schools are required to provide services for students with disabilities.

See also

• Special education
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• Dyslexia
• Dyscalculia
• Dysgraphia
• Dyspraxia
• Auditory processing disorder
• Visual processing disorder

Learning disabilities Resources
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