Learning Disorders
Also called: learning disability.
What is it?
Learning disorders are marked by difficulties in
acquiring, processing, and retaining information, which
affects a person’s academic performance. In most cases,
learning disorders are lifelong. Learning disorders are
not the same as mental retardation, and are not a
reflection of a person’s intelligence.
Who gets it?
Learning disorders are usually detected during
childhood, and occur more frequently in boys than girls.
People who have family members with learning disorders are
more likely to have similar difficulties.
What causes it?
Learning disorders are caused by abnormal brain
function. Exactly what causes this abnormality is not
always known, but can include factors such as heredity,
head injury, inadequate nutrition, exposure to toxins such
as lead, chronic illness, infections passed on by the
mother during pregnancy, and the mother’s abuse of drugs
or alcohol during pregnancy. Children who are born
prematurely, experience a difficult birth, or are of low
birth weight are also more likely to have learning
disorders later in life.
What are the symptoms?
Learning disorders can range from mild to severe.
Symptoms are often first detected when a child begins
school and has difficulty with typical early learning
skills such as counting, letter and color names, and
recognizing patterns. Activities that require the use of
fine motor skills, such as cutting and printing, are often
challenging. The child may also have difficulties with
physical activities that require coordination, such as
tying shoes and buttoning clothes. Children with learning
disorders generally have difficulty with attention,
language, memory, time and space relationships, and
listening skills, which affects their progress in reading,
writing, and math. Dyslexia, in which a person sees
letters or words backwards, is probably one of the most
familiar learning disorders. While people with learning
disorders perform poorly in school, they are almost always
of average to above-average intelligence. Learning
disorders affect a child’s self-esteem and social skills.
Children who have learning disorders that are not detected
and addressed early in their academic career, can develop
depression and behavioral problems. Learning disorders may
be accompanied by behavioral and attention-deficit
disorders.
How is it diagnosed?
Poor school performance in a child of average or
above-average intelligence may indicate a learning
disorder. If your child is having difficulty in school,
either you or the school can request an evaluation for a
learning disorder. Your doctor should perform a physical
examination and take a complete medical history in order
to rule out any physical causes of the child’s problems.
If a learning disorder is suspected, your child is
evaluated through a series of tests to determine his or
her learning needs. These tests can be administered by the
school, or by a private evaluator. In performing this
evaluation, it is important to have input from the child’s
parents and teachers.
What is the treatment?
If your child is diagnosed with a learning disorder,
the public school system is required by law to develop an
Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), which states how
your child’s needs will be met. It is important for
parents to have a role in developing and approving this
plan. The IEP may dictate that your child take special
classes or work with a speech therapist during the school
day. Your child will be taught special skills to help him
or her compensate for a learning disorder. Your child
should be tested each year to measure his or her progress.
While there is no medication to treat learning disorders,
children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), depression, or behavioral disorders may take
medication to reduce these symptoms. Psycho or behavioral
therapy may also be helpful.
Self-care tips
People with learning disorders need love and support to
foster self-esteem and motivation to learn. If you are the
parent of a child with a learning disorder, remember that
you are your child’s most important advocate. Learn all
you can about your child’s disorder and take an active
role in his or her education.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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