LEARNING DIsorders

What are Specific Learning Disorders?

Learning differences are neurodevelopmental disorders that affect an individual's ability to acquire, store, process, or produce information. There are several types of learning differences, each affecting specific cognitive processes. Some common types include:

Dyslexia (reading): Difficulty with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. It can impact reading, writing, and spelling skills. This is also known as a Specific Learning Disorder (with impairment in reading skills).

Dyscalculia (mathematics): Difficulty with understanding and using mathematical concepts and symbols. Individuals with dyscalculia may struggle with tasks involving numbers and arithmetic. This is also known as a Specific Learning Disorder (with impairment in mathematics).

Dysgraphia (writing): Difficulty with writing. It can affect handwriting, spelling, written organization and clarity, and the ability to put thoughts on paper. This is also known as a Specific Learning Disorder (with impairment in writing skills).

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): Difficulty processing auditory information, which can affect the ability to understand and interpret spoken language.

Visual Processing Disorder VPD): Difficulty interpreting visual information, which may affect tasks such as reading, writing, and recognizing shapes and symbols.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Although not exclusively a learning disability, ADHD can significantly impact academic performance. It involves difficulty with attention, and/or hyperactivity, and impulse control.

In addition, language disorders can co-occur with other conditions, such as learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder. Early identification and intervention are crucial for individuals with language disorders to receive appropriate support and improve their communication skills.

It's important to note that individuals may experience a combination of these learning challenges, and the severity of them can vary. Additionally, learning differences are not indicative of a person's overall intelligence; individuals with learning differences often have average to above-average intelligence in other areas. Diagnosis and appropriate interventions are crucial for supporting individuals in academic and everyday settings.In addition, A language disorder refers to a significant difficulty in the development and use of spoken, written, or other symbol systems. It may involve problems with the comprehension or production of language and can affect various aspects of communication, including vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, and discourse. Language disorders are typically developmental and can manifest in childhood.

Dr. Horowitz provides a brief overview of the most common learning differences below:

What are some of the signs and symptoms of learning differences?

Preschool age

• Problems pronouncing words

• Trouble finding the right word

• Difficulty rhyming

• Trouble learning the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, days of the week

• Difficulty following directions or learning routines

• Difficulty controlling crayons, pencils, and scissors, or colouring within the lines

• Trouble with buttons, zippers, snaps, learning to tie shoes

Ages 5-9

• Trouble learning the connection between letters and sounds

• Unable to blend sounds to make words

• Slow and/ or effortful reading

• Confusing basic words when reading

• Inability to recognize letters and/or words

• Slow to learn new skills

• Consistently misspelling words and making frequent errors

• Trouble learning basic math concepts

• Difficulty telling time and remembering sequences

Ages 10-13

• Difficulty with reading comprehension

• Difficulty with basic math skills

• Trouble with open-ended test questions and word problems

• Dislikes reading and writing; avoids reading aloud

• Poor handwriting

• Poor organizational skills (backpack, bedroom, homework, desk is messy and disorganized)

• Trouble following classroom discussions and expressing thoughts aloud

• Spells the same word differently in a single document

Take this screening test to find out of additional assessment is warranted for your child. Please note, this is not meant to serve as a diagnostic tool, but may indicate if there is enough concern to warrant a professional assessment.

Adults

Here are some signs of dyslexia in adults:

• A family history of dyslexia

• Early difficulty learning to read

• Underachievement in school

• Significant difficulty learning a foreign language

• Avoiding and disliking reading

• Slow reading

• Difficulty reading aloud

• Struggles with reading, spelling, writing, or speaking that impact your work

• Underachievement at work for unclear reasons

If you are an adult and think you may have a dyslexia, take this screening test. Please note, this is not meant to serve as a diagnostic tool, but may indicate if there is enough concern to warrant a professional assessment.

Resources

• National Center for Learning Disabilities - https://www.ncld.org/

• Learning Disabilities Association - https://ldaamerica.org/

• Learning Disabilities Online - http://www.ldonline.org/

• Learning Disability Resources for Families - https://www.understood.org/