What is a Learning Disability (LD)?
“He has the ability. If he just tried harder, he could do it. He chooses not to do the work.”
“If she would just pay attention, she would get it.”
“After I give the instructions, he sits there and stares at his paper. He is not motivated.”
A child with a Learning Disability cannot try harder, pay closer attention, or improve motivation on their own; they need help to learn how to do these things. A Learning Disability, or Learning Disorder, is not a problem with intelligence. Learning Disorders are caused by a difference in the brain that affects how information is received, processed, or communicated. Children and adults with Learning Disabilities have trouble processing sensory information because they see, hear, and understand things differently.
Common characteristics of a child with Learning-Disability
Sloppy writing, poor pencil position, spelling problems, letter reversals, mirror writing, pronunciation problems, reversing or omitting and/or adding letters, words or numbers, erratic word memory, poor reading ability, math problems, distractible, short attention span, forgetful, slow, unfinished homework, poor posture, inability to follow instructions, achievement quite low in some areas-but high in others, impulsive, clumsy, right-left confusion, allergies, poor logic, few or no friends, poor judgment of time, difficulty in telling time, does not like competitive games, poor at copying, socially immature, preservation, low frustration level, over-reacts, difficulty in holding the eyes on a moving target, destructive / aggressive behavior, cyclical behavior, good days – then bad days, disorganized, hyperactive or hypoactive.
How does it affect a child?
| Common Types of Learning Disabilities | ||
| Dyslexia | Difficulty in processing language | Problems in 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 |
| 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 |
Consequences of LD
There is often a marked discrepancy between achievement and potential, with uneven academic abilities within the same individual.
- 50-80% of adults with severe literacy problems are impaired by undetected or untreated Learning Disabilities.
- 35% of students identified with Learning Disabilities drop out of high school.
- 50% of juvenile delinquents tested are found to have previously undetected Learning Disabilities. When offered remedial services, their recidivism rates drop to below 2%.
- It is estimated that up to 60% of adolescents undergoing substance abuse treatment have Learning Disabilities.
- Low self-esteem is a common and debilitating consequence of Learning Disabilities.
How to help them?
In India, around 13 to 14 per cent of all school children suffer from Learning Disorders. Unfortunately, most schools fail to lend a sympathetic ear to their problems. As a result, these children are branded as failures. Dyslexia is not a disease, but it is a lifelong problem and presents challenges that need to be overcome every day. But with proper diagnosis, appropriate education, hard work and support from family, friends, teachers and others, a Dyslexic can lead a successful and productive life.
Professionals who can help those with LD
- Clinical Psychologist.
- Psychiatrist (for dealing with co-morbid disorders).
- Educational Psychologist.
- Special Educators.
- Occupational Therapist (tests sensory disorders that can lead to learning problems).
- Speech and Language Therapist.
- Social Workers.
Sometimes several professionals coordinate services as a team to obtain an accurate diagnosis, including input from your child’s teachers. Recommendations can then be made for special education services or speech-language therapy as the need be