What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. A learning disability does not include learning problems that are primary the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, or mental retardation, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage. (O’Rourke, 2007 )
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities. There are many different types of dyslexia but the most common type affects the way people break words down into their component parts including the ability to decode words, difficulties with spelling and writing.
Dysgraphia
People who struggle with dysgraphia have a hard time writing and may product text that is illegible.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a learning disability that has to do with a difficulty with processing numbers. Children with this disability have difficulty performing simple arithmetic, they may not know how to approach a math problem.
Aphasia/Dysphasia
Aphasia/Dysphasia is a language and communication learning disability. People with this learning disability have problems with verbal language skills, fluency of speech as well as the ability to understand the meaning of words, parts or speech directions etc.
Auditory Processing Disorder
This is an inability to distinguish subtle differences in sound, or hearing sounds at the wrong speed make it difficult to sound out words and understand the basic concepts of reading and writing.
Visual Processing Disorder
People with a visual processing disorder have difficulty interpreting visual information such as differences in shapes, reversing letters or numbers, skipping words or lines, misperceiving depth or distance, or having problems with eye -hand coordination. Visual perception can affect gross and fine motor skills, reading comprehension and math.
Auditory Processing Disorder
This is an inability to distinguish subtle differences in sound, or hearing sounds at the wrong speed make it difficult to sound out words and understand the basic concepts of reading and writing.
Visual Processing Disorder
People with a visual processing disorder have difficulty interpreting visual information such as differences in shapes, reversing letters or numbers, skipping words or lines, misperceiving depth or distance, or having problems with eye -hand coordination. Visual perception can affect gross and fine motor skills, reading comprehension and math.
Other Disorders That Make Learning Difficult
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is not considered to be a learning disability but it can certainly disrupt learning. People with ADHD often have a hard time staying focus, following instruction, staying organized and completing tasks.
Autism
Autism and Asperger’s syndrome is a pervasive developmental spectrum disorder. People with autism may have trouble with communication, reading body language, learning basic skills, making friends and making eye contact.