Brief description of learning disability
A learning disability is a neurological difference in processing information that severely limits a person’s ability in a specific skill. That is, the disease is the result of real differences in the way the brain processes, understands and uses information. Everyone has different learning abilities, but those with learning disabilities have serious problems that last throughout life.
There is no “cure” for learning disabilities. Special education programs can help people cope and compensate for these disorders, but learning disabilities will always be overcome throughout life. People with learning disabilities may have difficulties at school or at work. These inefficiencies can also affect independent livelihoods and social relationships.
Signs and symptoms:
Learning disabilities are usually first noticed when children fail in school. Parents and former school teachers are often the first to see early signs of learning disabilities. Children may have difficulty learning the basic skills of reading or reading comprehension. Problems with writing, maths, or language may signal a problem. Some students learn basic skills easily but have difficulty solving problems or applying higher-level school work skills.
Living with a learning disability can be a painful struggle for both parents and children.
In many cases, parents are freed from getting answers to diagnoses. Diagnosis is reassuring because it provides additional support in schools through specially trained teachers and special education programs. Students with learning disabilities will also have developed individualised education programs to address their needs.
Children who qualify as learning disabled are supported with specially designed instruction based on each child’s unique strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles.
Causes and Diagnosis:
Learning disabilities are thought to be caused by neurological differences such as information on brain processes. Simply put, a person has a learning disability when their ability to learn in an academic area is much lower than their intelligence level. A common misconception about learning disabilities is that people who have them are less intelligent or less able to learn than their peers. Actually, not in this case. People with learning disabilities are actually as intelligent as their peers. In fact, it is even possible to have a learning disability and even be gifted. The real difference is that different people with learning disabilities learn differently and may need different instructional practices to learn effectively.
In learning disability diagnoses, discrimination is usually determined by assessing a child’s intelligence quotient, or IQ score, and his or her achievement test scores in specific academic areas of reading, maths, and written language. Language processing, listening and verbal expression can be assessed.
A thorough review of the student’s educational history is conducted to learn one of the possible explanations between skill development and IQ that is diagnosed before a learning disability occurs.
Early detection and intervention of learning disabilities is important. If you suspect that your child has a learning problem, how to identify common symptoms or a possible disability.
Are learning disabilities biological??
A true learning disability (LD) is considered a biological disability due to a neurological processing problem that causes difficulty in acquiring and applying skills in one or more academic areas.
There is evidence that a child is more likely to have a learning disability if the father or other relatives also have a learning disability. This suggests that heredity may play a role in some cases. However, there are other possible causes of LD that are preventable in some cases.
Do you suspect a teaching anomaly??
If you suspect your child may have a learning disability, learn how to refer your child for evaluation. These articles will walk you step-by-step through the referral process for an evaluation to determine if your child has a learning disability or other type of educational disability.
Author Sradhanjali Dasgupta Consultant Psychologist, Speaker , Learning Developmental Coach, Teacher and trainer Miss. Sradhanjali Dasgupta has been extensively working in the field of Counselling and education for the past few years in several Clinics, Hospitals, NGOs and educational sectors. She also contributes her writings and blogs in various newspapers, magazines and e- magazines Her training and workshops are both for the corporate as well as for the educational sector and are geared up for learning and development,upgradation and capacity building. She have actively taken part in many debates