Learning Disabilities

How to cope with a learning disability

Learning disabilities are defined as specific deficiencies in a student’s ability to process, retain or absorb information, for reasons which may or may not be known. Some learning disabilities are caused by physical or developmental factors, while others may be environmental in origin. Still others are completely unexplainable; these are sometimes called “unidentified learning disabilities.” There are many successful and famous people with learning disabilities, so having one is most certainly not an educational death sentence.

Types of Learning Disabilities

If you have a child with learning disabilities, chances are you’ve noticed that the disability tends to affect only a specific task, subject or type of learning. Psychologists have created numerous classifications of learning disabilities. They include:

• Information processing disabilities. These learning disabilities include trouble with the input, integration, retention and output of information.
• Reading disabilities. Dyslexia – which causes letters and numbers to be perceived in a different order than which they appear – is the most common reading disability. Reading disabilities comprise the majority of all learning disabilities in American children.
• Writing disabilities. Some children have a hard time planning and organizing their ideas in writing, while others display spelling or handwriting problems. Dysphasia, aphasia and dysgraphia are all writing disabilities.
• Non-verbal learning disabilities. Included under the blanket heading of “non-verbal learning disabilities” are socialization problems and poor motor, visual-spatial and organizational skills.
• Auditory processing disorders. These are not physical hearing problems, but rather disorders which cause the child to misperceive what they’ve heard.
• Dyspraxia. While dyspraxia – a disability defined by poor hand-eye and motor coordination – won’t necessarily interfere with a child’s academic performance, it can impair physical and psychological development.
• Attention deficit disorder (ADD). This well-known disorder is characterized by an inability to stay still or pay attention for prolonged periods of time.
• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is like ADD, except that problematic hyperactivity is comorbid. Both ADD and ADHD can manifest as early as preschool or first grade.

Coping with Learning Disabilities

Both childhood and adult learning disabilities can affect quality of life. Educators have developed very specific techniques for helping students overcome their limitations and succeed. Early detection and intervention are key, though. If you suspect your child has a learning disability, talk to his or her teacher as soon as possible to discuss intervention strategies.