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Learning disability is a general term used to
describe specific types of learning problems.
A learning disability is a neurobiological disorder
that affects the brain's ability to receive, process,
store and respond to information. Children with
learning disabilities are of average or above-average
intelligence, but have difficulty acquiring basic
academic skills or content. Learning disabilities
may manifest themselves in problems with reading,
writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and/or
organizing information, and doing mathematics.
Approximately 5 percent of children in public
schools receive special education services because
they have been identified with a learning disability.
However, it is estimated that as many as or more
than 20 percent of children experience significant
learning challenges.
The causes of learning disabilities are complex
and not well understood. In most cases, there
is no apparent cause. However, researchers have
identified a few contributing factors:
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Heredity |
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Problems during pregnancy and birth, including
illness or injury, drug and alcohol use, premature
birth, and low birth weight |
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Incidents after birth, including head injury,
malnutrition, and exposure to toxic substances. |
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Learning disability is not a disease, and thus
there is no cure. It is not a condition that remedies
itself as a child grows older.
However, there are ways to compensate for or overcome
the challenges that learning disabilities pose
through identification of the disability and appropriate
guidance and instruction. Kingsbury's founder,
Marion Kingsbury, held that individuals with learning
disabilities can be taught effectively only when
instructional methods and curricula are tailored
to each student's unique learning needs—an
educational philosophy that has guided the organization
since 1938.
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| There are many, many different types
of learning disabilities. In fact, learning disabilities
are as unique as the individuals they affect. They
can impair a person's ability to learn in a variety
of different ways, and can range from mild to severe.
A person may be impacted by a single specific learning
disability or a number of learning disabilities
in combination. Below are descriptions of some of
the more common types of learning disabilities: |
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is one of the most widely recognized learning disabilities.
It is a language processing disorder that hinders
the development of oral and written language skills.
A person with dyslexia often has difficulty distinguishing
or separating the sounds in spoken words, resulting
in problems with reading, writing and spelling.
In some cases, the individual may have difficulty
with letter or number reversals beyond six or seven
years of age. |
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like dyslexia, is a language-based learning disability.
It is a neurologically based writing disability
in which a person finds it hard to form letters,
write with good automaticity, or write within a
defined space. Persons with dysgraphia may have
difficulty with spelling, poor handwriting, and
trouble putting thoughts down on paper. |
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is a mathematical disability in which a person has
unusual difficulty solving arithmetic problems and
grasping math concepts. Dyscalculia can manifest
itself in a number of different ways, including
difficulty learning the meaning of numbers, trouble
with comparing and contrasting concepts, and struggling
to remember and retain basic math facts. |
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affects 3-5 percent of school-aged
children, making it difficult for them to control
their behavior. Persons affected by ADHD have problems
with inattentiveness, hyperactivity/impulsivity,
or both. Students may have difficulty listening
to instructions, organizing themselves, taking turns
in games and conversations, or may act without thinking
or anticipating the consequences of their actions. |
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| At any age, one of the
key indicators of a learning disability is a noticeable
difference between how well a child does in school
and how well he or she could do, given his or her
intelligence or ability. Children may show signs
of learning disabilities in different ways and at
different ages. Possible indicators of learning
disabilities may include: |
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Delay in speech development; difficulty
articulating or pronouncing words.
Slow vocabulary development; using the wrong
word.
Difficulty rhyming words.
Delay in learning numbers, alphabet, weekdays,
colors, shapes.
Difficulty following directions, learning
routines.
Awkward when running, jumping, skipping.
Difficulty controlling pencil, crayons,
scissors.
Difficulty buttoning, zipping, tying.
Trouble interacting socially with peers.
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Difficulty connecting letters and sounds to
decode words; difficulty reading familiar,
well-practiced words; difficulty understanding
or remembering what is read.
Difficulty writing down thoughts, including
problems with spelling, grammar, punctuation,
capitalization, richness of ideas and organization
of thoughts.
Poor spelling.
Reversing or transposing letters or numbers.
Difficulty with fine motor coordination, resulting
in poor handwriting.
Unstable pencil grip.
Difficulty understanding what is said or expressing
thoughts.
Remembering facts slowly.
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Continued difficulty with grade-level reading
comprehension, written language or math skills.
Avoids reading, writing, math or other specific
skills.
Difficulty organizing space (bedroom, locker,
etc.), material (loses or misplaces paper,
assignments, etc.) or thoughts when writing
or speaking.
Difficulty planning time and developing strategies
to complete assignments on time.
Difficulty understanding discussions or expressing
thoughts when speaking.
Difficulty making friends.
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Continued spelling errors; frequently spells
the same word differently in a single document.
Avoids reading, writing, math or other specific
skills.
Trouble with open-ended questions on tests.
Weak memory skills.
Difficulty adjusting to new settings.
Works slowly.
Poor grasp of abstract concepts.
Pays too little or too much attention to details.
Misreads information.
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(Coordinated Campaign
for Learning Disabilities)
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| If a child has difficulty
learning and a learning disability is suspected,
it is important for that child to have a professional
evaluation. Risk factors for learning disabilities
can sometimes be identified as early as age four
or five, and adults can also be tested for learning
disabilities. A psychologist or educational diagnostician
administers a number of different kinds of tests
to diagnose the difficulty. For more information
on diagnostic testing at Kingsbury, please click
on "Diagnostic and Psychological Services"
above. |
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| Although there are no
cures for learning disabilities, there are many
ways in which students with learning disabilities
can be helped to become successful learners. Once
a diagnosis in made, it is important to create a
plan for getting the student the right help. Treatment
varies according to the type of learning disability,
the student's age, and the severity of the difficulty,
but may include tutoring, accommodations in the
classroom, occupational or speech-language therapy,
or specialized schooling. |
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