What’s a learning disability?

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Learning disabilities affect the brain’s ability to process information and can impact speech, reading, writing, memory, and motor skills. It is not caused by environmental factors and affects about 10% of students. Early diagnosis and intervention can improve a child’s chances of success in school.

A learning disability is any of the conditions that make the learning process difficult due to the way the brain processes information. In most people with learning disabilities, it becomes recognizable during the first years of school. A learning disability affects the way a person learns, but it doesn’t mean he can’t learn.

There are numerous types of learning disabilities that can affect speech, reading, writing, memorization, organizing information, and even motor skills. Many people with learning disabilities may have difficulty concentrating or remembering what they have read or heard. The impact on these areas of learning can make school frustrating for children and can even make work difficult for adults who have not learned how to deal with a learning disability.

The brain processes information in pieces in different sections and transmits the processed information to other parts of the brain. A person with a learning disability has a brain that processes or transmits information differently from the average, or “normal” brain. Brain function can cause a person with a learning disability to have difficulty processing or transmitting written, verbal, or auditory information in the standard way that others are used to.

Public schools estimate that about 10% of students have some type of learning disability. Unlike students whose academic performance is poor based on demographic, economic or cultural factors, a learning disability is not caused by the environment, but is a neurobiological disorder. In most places, students with learning disabilities are entitled to certain considerations and rights by law in order to enhance their school experience and receive equal educational opportunities.

A learning disability is typically diagnosed through a series of cognitive tests administered by a specialist, such as a psychologist, therapist, or other medical professional. Early diagnosis and intervention by parents, medical professionals, and school staff greatly improve a child’s chances of learning success. A person with a learning disability simply learns differently and once they understand their learning abilities and limitations, it is easier for the student and teacher to engage in the learning process.

It can be difficult to identify a learning disability in young children because many parts of their brains are still developing and are just starting to engage in certain processes, but around age 7 it becomes easier to detect. If a child is having difficulty in school due to difficulty concentrating, writing problems, difficulty understanding written material, or similar problems, his or her parents should speak to the child’s teachers and pediatrician. These professionals will be able to refer the parent to specialists who can diagnose and work with the child to overcome her difficulties.




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