Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities or learning disorders are brain impairments which affect your ability to process information. This type of mental disorder is not based on intellectual capability or environmental factors; in fact, it’s the differences in the way you or your child’s brain functions.
What are Learning Disabilities?
These are the types of mental disorders that affect the brain’s function to receive, store, process and respond to the information typically related to reading, math, and writing. Although these all have their specific category of learning disorders, which will be discussed below. Around 14–20% of the global population has some specific learning disorder.
The irony is that many children with learning disorders are overlooked in early school years. Many parents and teachers put the blame of the child’s poor performance on laziness, lack of discipline, or flaws in the educational system.
If this condition is left unmanaged, your child may lack academic skills, which will ultimately impact their self confidence and emotional development. Understanding the learning disability types, and symptoms will help you assess your or your child’s condition and take the necessary steps..
Types of Learning Disabilities
There are two major categories for the types of learning disorders or disabilities, i.e verbal and non verbal disorders. Specific learning disorder diagnosis is the term used for verbal disorders that affect the ability to read, write and do math.
These specific LDs include:
Dyslexia
It’s the most common type of specific learning disability. It results in your child struggling while reading accurately and fluently. Children or even adolescents and adults with dyslexia aren’t able to decode words, spell, and read like others. It is not because they have a low level of intelligence. People with dyslexia are reported to have average or above-average IQs.
Dyscalculia
It’s the most common type of specific learning disability. It results in your child struggling while reading accurately and fluently. Children or even adolescents and adults with dyslexia aren’t able to decode words, spell, and read like others. It is not because they have a low level of intelligence. People with dyslexia are reported to have average or above-average IQs.
Dysgraphia
It’s the most common type of specific learning disability. It results in your child struggling while reading accurately and fluently. Children or even adolescents and adults with dyslexia aren’t able to decode words, spell, and read like others. It is not because they have a low level of intelligence. People with dyslexia are reported to have average or above-average IQs.
Non Verbal Learning Disabilities
This affects spatial awareness, motor coordination, and communication skills which are important to engage in a social environment. Children or adults with NVLD often possess strong verbal abilities but find difficulty in interpreting body language, understanding visual information, or reading social cues. Even the puzzles, drawing, or being present in new environments can also be challenging for people with such a disorder.
Learning Disabilities Diagnosis
Learning Disabilities Test and Assessments
To properly diagnose if a disorder exists, a professional should be found to observe and test you or your child. The term learning disability is a legal term which can only be used for a child after a series of assessments and evaluations. We can refer you to the appropriate professional for the following:
- IQ Tests: These tests are important to evaluate the general intellectual functioning of a child or adult and determine the gap between potential and performance.
- Achievement Tests: Evaluations include looking for a pattern of repeated writing and math skills tests to identify specific weaknesses and pain points.
- Behavioral Assessments: You or your child will receive testing to determine if attention issues, executive functioning, and emotional health exist. This will help understand if any common or related symptoms they may have are caused by another disorder including ADHD and anxiety.
Neuropsychological Testing: A more in-depth evaluation of your brain function might be recommended to identify the most viable treatments.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Learning Disorder
Learning disorders can be hard to diagnose. However, if left undiagnosed, others might view the difficulties as just another way to escape academic tasks. In reality, many children and even adults face challenges in their academic and professional lives due to underlying LDs. Interventions are suggested when you or your child has:
- Difficulty following directions or remembering instructions
- Difficulty reading comprehension, spelling, or basic math
- Poor handwriting or trouble organizing written work
- Problems with time management or staying organized
- Avoidance of schoolwork or frequent complaints about learning tasks
How We Can Help: Supporting Individuals with Learning Disabilities
At Janneta Bohlander & Associates, we offer professional referrals to help identify the type of learning disorder and the suggested treatment. For example, we collaborate with parents, teachers, and school administrators to create Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). With these plans, students are able to get the needed attention and time to perform academically without the constant pressure and guilt of low performance.
Take Control of Your Learning Journey
We will provide you with a personalized treatment plan suited for your unique symptoms. We can help you if your child is having difficulty grasping basic academic concepts.
Contact us now
Learning Disabilities:
It is a mental disorder that impacts how a person processes, stores, and responds to information. It affects various abilities such as reading, writing, math, and solving problems, but the intellectual ability of a person has nothing to do with it.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD, is not a learning disability, but it is often interconnected with learning difficulties. Since ADHD affects an individual’s ability to focus, control impulses, and stay organized, it can interfere with learning, too.
Any mental health disorder can’t be classified and diagnosed personally. Likewise, you need medically validated tests to have a proper diagnosis of a learning disorder. These tests need to be administered by a licensed specialist, such as a psychologist or educational therapist.
- Dyslexia – Difficulty with reading, spelling, and interpreting words or sentences.
- Dyscalculia – Difficulty with math formulas, numbers, and calculations.
- Dysgraphia – Difficulty with handwriting, fine motor skills, and written expression.
- Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD) – Difficulty with social interactions, spatial relationships, and visual-spatial processing.
- Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) – Difficulty processing and understanding auditory information.
- Visual Processing Disorder (VPD) – Difficulty interpreting and understanding visuals.
- Processing Speed Deficit – Difficulty with completing tasks promptly due to slow cognitive processing.
