LEARNING DISABILITY
Introduction
Specific Learning Disorder (SLD), as defined in DSM-5.
According to DSM-5, SLD is a type of neurodevelopment disorder that impedes a person’s ability to learn and use specific academic skills, such as reading, writing and arithmetic, which serve as the foundation for most other academic learning. SLD is a clinical diagnosis and is not necessarily synonymous with ‘learning difficulties’.
Characteristics of children with learning problems
In a child, the visible and most alarming indicator of learning problem to parents and teachers is the failure in class tests and examinations. When a child consistently shows poor performance in one or more subjects in school, he should be testes to confirm or rule out learning problems. Other characteristics found in such children include deficits in:
· Visual perception
· Auditory perception
· Visual motor activities
· Conceptualization
· Memory
· Attention
A discrepancy between actual performance of the student and the expected performance in class is an indicator of learning problems. |
Many children with learning problems are found to be:
· Impulsive
· Poor in comprehension
· Disorganized
· Having low self esteem
· Having unpredictable behavior
· Withdrawn
· Communicating poorly
· Anxious
· Moody
· Having difficulty in problem solving
· Confused
· Fidgety
Specific types of learning disabilities and related disorders
LEARNING DISABILITY Terminology |
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Disability |
Area of difficulty |
Symptoms include trouble with |
Example |
Dyslexia |
Processing language |
· Reading · Writing · Spelling |
Confusing letter names and sounds, difficulties blending sounds into words, slow rate of reading, trouble remembering after reading text |
Dyscalculia |
Math skills |
· Computation · Remembering math facts · Concepts of time and money |
Difficulty learning to count by 2s, 3s, 4s, poor mental math skills, problems with spatial directions |
Dysgraphia |
Written expression |
· Handwriting · Spelling · Composition |
Illegible handwriting, difficulty organizing ideas for writing |
Dyspraxia |
Fine motor skills |
· Coordination · Manual dexterity |
Trouble with scissors, buttons, drawing |
Information Processing Disorders |
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Auditory Processing Disorder |
Interpreting auditory information |
· Language development · Reading |
Difficulty anticipating how a speaker will end a sentence |
Visual Processing Disorder |
Interpreting visual information |
· Reading · Writing · Math |
Difficulty distinguishing letters like “h” and “n” |
Other Related Disorders |
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Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) |
Concentration and focus |
· Over-activity · Distractibility · Impulsivity |
Can't sit still, loses interest quickly, daydreams |