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Learning disabilities are real. A person
can be of average or above-average intelligence, not have
any major sensory problems (like blindness or hearing impairment),
and yet struggle to keep up with people of the same age in
learning and regular functioning.
A learning disability (LD) is a neurological
disorder that affects the brain's ability to receive, process,
store and respond to information. The term learning disability
is used to describe the seeming unexplained difficulty a person
of at least average intelligence has in acquiring basic academic
skills. These skills are essential for success at school and
work, and for coping with life in general. LD is not a single
disorder. It is a term that refers to a group of disorders.
Learning disabilities can affect a person's
ability in the areas of:
- Listening
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
- Mathematics
Other features of a learning disability
are:
- A distinct gap between the level of achievement
that is expected and what is actually being achieved
- Difficulties that can become apparent
in different ways with different people
- Difficulties that manifest themselves
differently throughout development
- Difficulties with socio-emotional skills
and behavior.
A learning disability is not a disease,
so there is no cure, but there are ways to overcome the challenges
it poses through identification and accommodation.
Identification: If there is
reason to think a person might have LD, it is important to
collect observations by parents, teachers, doctors and others
regularly in contact with that person. If there does seem
to be a pattern of trouble that is more than just an isolated
case of difficulty, the next step is to seek help from school
or consult a learning specialist for an evaluation.
Accommodation and Modification:
Depending on the type of learning disability and its severity,
as well as the person's age, different kinds of assistance
can be provided. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA) of 1997 and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
of 1990 people of all ages with LD are protected against discrimination
and have a right to different forms of assistance in the classroom
and workplace.
Experts aren't exactly sure what causes
learning disabilities. LD may be due to:
- Heredity - often learning disabilities
run in the family, so it's not uncommon to find that people
with LD have parents or other relatives with similar difficulties.
- Problems during pregnancy and birth
- LD may be caused by illness or injury during or before
birth. It may also be caused by drug and alcohol use during
pregnancy, low birth weight, lack of oxygen and premature
or prolonged labor.
- Incidents after birth - Head injuries,
nutritional deprivation and exposure to toxic substances
(i.e. lead) can contribute to LD.
Learning disabilities are NOT caused
by economic disadvantage, environmental factors or cultural
differences. In fact, there is frequently no apparent cause
for LD.
Each type of strategy should be considered
when planning instruction and support. A person with dysgraphia
will benefit from help from both specialists and those who
are closest to the person. Finding the most beneficial type
of support is a process of trying different ideas and openly
exchanging thoughts on what works best.
Currently, almost 2.9 million school-aged
children in the US are classified as having specific learning
disabilities (SLD) and receive some kind of special education
support. They are approximately 5% of all school-aged children
in public schools. These numbers do not include children in
private and religious schools or home-schooled children.
Studies show that learning disabilities
do not fall evenly across racial and ethnic groups. For instance,
in 2001, 1% of white children and 2.6% of non-hispanic black
children were receiving LD-related special education services*.
The same studies suggest that this has to do with economic
status and not ethnic background. LD is not caused by economic
disadvantage, but the increased risk of exposure to harmful
toxins (lead, tobacco, alcohol, etc.) at early stages of development
are prevalent in low-income communities.
Learning disabilities are lifelong,
and although they won't go away, they don't have to stop a
person from achieving goals. Help is available if they are
identified. Learning disabilities affect every person differently,
and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Sometimes
people have more than one learning disability. In addition,
approximately one third of people with LD also have attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), which makes it difficult
for them to concentrate, stay focused or manage their attention
to specific tasks.
LD and children
Early identification is vital in helping
a child to succeed academically, as well as socially. If you
think your child is displaying signs of a learning disability,
share them with classroom teachers and others who come in
contact with your child. Observe the way your child develops
the language, motor coordination and social skills and behaviors
important for success in school. And remember-early is better-even
preschoolers can show signs of risk for LD.
Don't panic. Not all children who are
slow to develop skills have LD. If your child does have a
learning disability, early intervention with specialized teaching
strategies can help to overcome difficulties. As a parent,
it is important to learn as much as you can and to help your
child understand that he or she is not alone: other children
struggle too, and adults are there to help
LD and adulthood
It is never too late to get help for
a learning disability. Finding out about a learning disability
can be a great relief to adults who could not explain the
reason for their struggles in the past. Testing specialists
are available for people of all ages, and assistance is available
for every stage of life. Taking the initiative to seek out
support and services than can provide help is the first step
to overcoming a learning disability.
Many adults (some of whom are unaware
of their LD) have developed ways to cope with their difficulties
and are able to lead successful, functioning lives. LD shouldn't
hinder a person from attaining goals. Regardless of the situation,
understanding the specific challenges and learning strategies
to deal with LD directly at every stage can alleviate a lot
of frustration and make successful living much easier.
* Executive Summary, National Research Council,
2001
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