Learning Disabilities - Fact sheet
LD is a disorder that affects people's ability to either interpret what they see and hear or to link information from different parts of the brain. These limitations can show up in many ways: as specific difficulties with spoken and written language, coordination, self control, or attention. Such difficulties extend to schoolwork and can impede learning to read, write, or do math.
No one knows what causes learning disabilities as of now. There are too many possibilities to pin down the cause of the disability with certainty. A leading theory among scientists is that learning disabilities stem from subtle disturbances in the brain structures and functions. It is more important, however, that families not dwell on the causes but rather move forward in finding ways to get the right help.
Children reach certain "milestones" of development: the first word, the first step, and so forth. Both doctors and parents are watching for these developmental milestones. Learning disorders may be informally flagged by observing significant delays in the child's skill development. A 2-year delay in the primary grades is usually considered significant.
While children can be informally flagged by using observation techniques, actual diagnosis of learning disabilities is made using standardized tests that compare the child's level of ability to what is considered normal development for a person of that age and intelligence. Test outcomes depend not only on the child's actual abilities but on the reliability of the test and the child's ability to pay attention and understand the questions.
Students are generally tested for learning disabilities by their school. It is important for parents to stay abreast of each step of the school's evaluation. Parents also need to know that they may appeal the school's decision if they disagree with the findings of the diagnostic team. Creating a plan for getting the right help after diagnosis is very important. Because LD can affect the child and family in so many ways, help may be needed on a variety of fronts: educational, medical, emotional, and practical.
A learning disability is a permanent disorder which effects the way individuals with normal or above intelligence receive, store, organize, retrieve and use information.
A learning disability is commonly recognized in children and adults as deficits in one or more of the following areas:
A learning disability is often inconsistent. It may present problems one day, but not another. It may cause problems through only one phase of a person's schooling or in one specific academic area.
A learning disability is FRUSTRATING! Persons with learning disabilities not only have to deal with functional limitations but also have "to prove" the invisible disability which may be as handicapping as paraplegia.
When persons do not receive the appropriate academic program, they experience academic failure and poor self-esteem. It is common for LD students to drop out of school or to be passed through the system, never mastering the skills necessary for academic success and post secondary training for employment.
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