Learning Disorders

Learning disorders are learning difficulties experienced by children and adults of average to above average intelligence.  People with learning disorders have difficulty with reading, writing, or math, or any combination of those three subjects.  This can significantly interfere with not only academic achievement, but also with carrying out daily activities that require any of those three skills.  The brain is divided into various sections that control different behaviors.  Some parts control the ability to speak, to understand the spoken word, to recognize what numbers and letters mean, or to pay attention or make plans.  In people with learning disorders, one or more of these sections may not be functioning normally, causing an impairment in regions of the brain that control visual and language processing, attention, and planning.  Some children score high scores on intelligence tests, but do poorly in academics.  They may have lack of organization, forgetfulness, and take an unusually long time to complete assignments.  They may have difficulty paying attention, social withdrawal, difficulty working independently, and problems switching from one activity to another.  They may be impulsive, restless, distractible, low self esteem, have poor coordination, and emotional.  Reading, Math, and writing disorders each have their own symptoms.  To diagnose a learning disorder, a complete medical, psychological, and educational examination must be done in order to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.  There is no way to prevent learning disorders, and early treatment is crucial for the person’s development.  The high school drop out rate for people with learning disorders is 40%, as most individuals were never properly diagnosed or treated, and never became fully literate. Treatment depends on the individual disorder.  See reading disorders, mathematic disorders, writing disorders, dyslexia, dyscalculia