What are Learning Disabilities (LD)?

Click any link below to see that topic, or scroll down the page to see them all.

What is a Learning Disability (LD)?
Can People with LD Learn Successfully?
What are the Signs that Someone Might Have an LD?
How Can I Find out For Sure if I or Someone Else has an LD?
So It's Officially an LD - Now What?


WHAT IS A LEARNING DISABILITY (LD)?

When a child or adult who shows average or above-average intelligence has difficulty learning, that person may have a learning disability. The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada says this about learning disabilities:

"Learning disabilities are due to genetic and/or neurobiological factors or injury that alters brain functioning in a manner which affects one or more processes related to learning. These disorders are not due primarily to hearing and/or vision problems, socio-economic factors, cultural or linguistic differences, lack of motivation, or ineffective teaching, although these factors may further complicate the challenges faced by individuals with learning disabilities."

In other words, learning disabled people are not lazy or inattentive. Research shows that they have differences in the structure and function of their brains, and that is why they may have problems learning.

There are different types of learning disabilities and different types of reading disabilities. Each type corresponds to differences in the structure or function of different parts of the brain. The thing that all the learning disorders have in common is that they all affect how a person acquires, organizes, retains, understands, and uses verbal or non-verbal information.

People of every culture, gender, race, and socio-economic group have learning disabilities. Research also shows that learning disabilities can be hereditary.

Some specific kinds of LD include:

• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) - the person's brain reacts slowly, so they have difficulty concentrating and may be restless as a result
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - people with ADHD find it hard to learn in the traditional manner. Common signs include impulsiveness, inattention, hyperactivity, and emotional instability.
• Dyslexia - people with dyslexia find it hard to distinguish among similar shapes, for example "d" and "b"
• Auditory Processing Disability - this learning disorder makes it harder for people to learn things by hearing them
• Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD) - this learning disorder makes it harder for people to learn things in ways that do not involve speaking

LD may be associated with other disorders like anxiety, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Persons with other medical conditions, like Tourette's syndrome and Asperger's syndrome, may also have an LD.


CAN PEOPLE WITH LD LEARN SUCCESSFULLY?

Absolutely. Scientific research shows that people with learning disabilities can learn, but because their brain structure and/or function is different, they require different teaching methods to learn effectively.


WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE AN LD?

It's estimated that 10-15% of the population is affected by learning disabilities.

People with learning disabilities may have problems with: attention, memory, reasoning, coordination, communication, reading, writing, spelling, calculation (math), social skills, and emotional maturation.

Here are some specific signs that someone might have an LD:

In Infants

• delays in sitting, standing, or walking
• delayed language or speech problems
• overactive, fearless, accident prone
• trouble learning numbers, alphabet, days of the week
• difficulty rhyming words
• trouble playing with friends
• difficulty following directions
• difficulty with simple puzzles, drawing or cutting
• extremely restless and distractable

In School-Age Children

• difficulty with reading, writing, spelling, or arithmetic
• difficulty learning connections between letters and sounds
• many reading and spelling errors
• difficulty remembering facts
• difficulty following directions and keeping on track
• distractible, with a short attention span
• slow to learn new skills
• impulsive
• low tolerance to frustration or change
• gets poor grades, does not do homework
• shows an unusual and erratic pattern of highs and lows on test results
• poor handwriting and/or bizarre spelling mistakes
• disorganized: books in a mess, notes out of order
• poor social skills, few same-age friends
• difficulty coping with change
• vulnerable to peer pressure, often the "scapegoat"

In Adults

• good with mechanical things but has problems reading, writing, and spelling
• difficulty finding and keeping a jobv may have difficulty with social relationships with spouse, friends, or co-workers

At Any Age

• problems expressing himself or herself
• reverses numbers and letters
• uses words out of context or out of sequence
• can express ideas by speaking but not in writing
• special difficulty with reading, writing, spelling and/or math
• can't tell right from left
• difficulty figuring out how everything fits together
• finds it hard to make comparisons relating to size and/or distance
• can't tell time or can't judge time spans
• can't plan ahead
• procrastinates
• starts many projects but unable or unwilling to complete any
• gets lost, loses things
• poor balance and/or coordination; drops things, bumps into things
• easily distracted; can't focus on one thing at a time
• sometimes knows something, sometimes doesn't
• forgets things heard or seen
• daydreams frequently
• difficulty following directions
• difficulty with abstract thinking
• rushes through tasks and makes many errors
• restless and impulsive
• changeable and emotional
• low self-esteem
• expects to fail
• difficulty getting along with people: lacks social abilities and the skills to maintain relationships
• is a frequent target of teasing and scapegoating
• has sharp emotional outbursts

It is important to remember that many people without learning disabilities exhibit these symptoms at various times. However, if you or your child seems to be having many of these symptoms at one time, for prolonged periods, you may wish to take action.


HOW CAN I FIND OUT FOR SURE IF I OR SOMEONE ELSE HAS AN LD?

If you think that you or your child many have a learning disability, it is very important to find out for sure. Learning disabilities don't just affect a person's ability to learn. Learning disabled people are at risk for:

• negative self-image
• high rates of drop-out from school
• social and emotional problems
• rejection, abuse, delinquency, and suicide

The earlier a learning disability is recognized, the more successful the intervention will be, but it is never too late. Here are some things you can do:

• talk to your child's principal
• see a doctor for advice
• contact LDAA-EC for referrals to recognized LD testing programs

Once a complete psychological and medical assessment has confirmed the existence of an LD, you and your school or doctor can develop an effective intervention plan.

An effective plan will include instruction in learning skills geared to the specific type(s) of LD, plus other coping skills. A lot of research has been done around the world to discover how children and adults with LDs learn. Your plan should include specific methods that have been shown to work for people with that type of LD.

Even if you are an adult, it is never too late to get assistance for an LD. When the appropriate assistance is given, LD affected people can learn and thrive.

Back to Top