What Is A Learning Disability?
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal special education law, defines learning disabilities as follows:
“Specific Learning Disability” means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations. The term includes such conditions as perceptual handicaps, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. The term does not include children who have learning problems which are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor handicaps, of mental retardation, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural or economic disadvantage.
What is the purpose of IDEA?
IDEA 2004 (Section 601(d)) states that the purpose of the law is:
(1A) to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living;
(1B) to ensure that the rights of children with disabilities and parents of such children are protected;
(1C) to assist States, localities, educational service agencies, and Federal agencies to provide for the education of all children with disabilities;
(2) to assist States in the implementation of a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families;
(3) to ensure that educators and parents have the necessary tools to improve educational results for children with disabilities by supporting system improvement activities; coordinated research and personnel preparation; coordinated technical assistance, dissemination, and support; and technology development and media services; and
(4) to assess and ensure the effectiveness of efforts to educate children with disabilities.
What are the types of learning disabilities?
Learning disabilities vary from child to child. One student may struggle in math, but thrive in writing. Another child may struggle in reading and writing, but succeed in math. Basically reading, writing, and math are the learning disorders that stand out like a “sore thumb”. I recall my child being diagnose with six of the disorders listed below.
| Dyslexia | Difficulty Reading | Problems Reading, Writing, Spelling, Speaking |
| Dyscalculia | Difficulty with math | Problems doing math problems, understanding time, using money |
| Dysgraphia | Difficulty with writing | Problems with handwriting, spelling, organizing ideas |
| Dyspraxia (Sensory Integration Disorder) | Difficulty with fine motor skills | Problems with hand–eye coordination, balance, manual dexterity |
| Dysphasia/Aphasia | Difficulty with language | Problems understanding spoken language, poor reading comprehension |
| Auditory Processing Disorder | Difficulty hearing differences between sounds | Problems with reading, comprehension, language |
| Visual Processing Disorder | Difficulty interpreting visual information | Problems with reading, math, maps, charts, symbols, pictures |
What are some early signs of learning disabilities?
I remember the first sign for my child was a language delay at 18 months old, which was diagnose by the pediatrician. There is not just one sign that categorize learning disabilities.
- Difficulty pronouncing letters and words
- Challenges with rhyming words
- Challenges with the learning of shapes, colors, alphabets, and days of the week
- Difficulty following directions
- Struggle with buttons, zippers, and learning to tie shoes
- Difficulty with being left or right handed
How Common Are Learning Disabilities?
As many as 1 out of every 5 people in the United States has a learning disability. Almost 1 million children (ages 6 through 21) have some form of a learning disability and receive special education in school. In fact, one-third of all children who receive special education have a learning disability (Twenty-Ninth Annual Report to Congress, U.S. Department of Education, 2010).
What Causes Learning Disabilities?
Scientists suggest that learning disabilities are caused by how a child’s brain functions and process information. Children with learning disabilities are smart. They normally have average or above average intelligence. Their brain just process information differently.
Who Do Learning Disabilities Affect?
More boys than girls have learning disabilities. There are three times more boys than girls that are diagnosed with learning disabilities.
How Do You Know If Your Child Has A Learning Disability?
First, get a vision assessment, which can be done by a developmental optometrist. If, I had known or understood the connection between the brain and vision, I could have saved my child and myself a lot of tears and frustrations. Next, get a hearing evaluation.
Last a comprehensive assessment done by a registered neuropsychologist or psychologist. Make sure you speak to your child’s teacher before you get a comprehensive assessment. He or she can share what they have experience with your child’s academic concerns.
Do I Have To Pay For The Comprehensive Assessment?
You pay for the comprehensive assessment, if you would like for it to be done privately. Your child’s school district pays for it otherwise.
What Is The Special Education Process?
- Student is identified in needing special educational services
- Student is evaluated
- Eligibility is decided
- Student find eligible for services
- Scheduling of the IEP meeting
- IEP meeting is held and IEP is written
- Services provided according to IEP
- Progress is measured and reported to parents
- Review of IEP
- Child is reevaluated
Students need to understand their learning disabilities, it should not be a “secret” just for parents and teachers.
Other Resources
- International Dyslexia Association: www.interdys.org
- National Dissemination Center for Children with Learning Disabilities:www.nichcy.org
- National Center for Learning Disabilities: www.ncld.org
- Learning Disabilities Resources; www.ldonline.org
- Learning Disabilities Association of America: www.ldanatl.org
State By State Resources
To locate resources in your state go to: www.disabilityresources.org
Statistics: Pass or Fail
You be the judge: If children of learning disabilities possess intelligence in the average to above average range, why are they falling through the cracks? Are we passing or failing these young people, citizens of tomorrow? Better Understanding Disabilities believe that our children with learning disabilities deserved a more meaningful way of life. Statistic like the ones below dictated our mission. “Many children are born with a learning difference or differences, it becomes a learning disability or disabilities when the child receives an improper education to address their unique needs.” Ms. A. Ireland
“Our mission is to enhance the lives of children with learning disabilities by promoting advocacy and by providing a platform that educate parents on their rights and available resources.”
75% – 80% of special education students identified as LD have their basic deficits in language and reading; Source: National Institutes of Health
35% of students identified with learning disabilities drop out of high school. This is twice the rate of their non-disabled peers. (This does not include the students who are not identified and drop out); Source: National Longitudinal Transition Study (Wagner )
50% of all students in special education in the public schools have learning disabilities — 2.25 million children; Source: U.S. Dept. of Education
60% of adults with severe literacy problems have undetected or untreated learning disabilities; Source: National Adult Literacy and Learning Disabilities Center
50% of juvenile delinquents tested were found to have undetected learning disabilities; Source: National Center for State Courts and the Educational Testing Service
Up to 60% of adolescents in treatment for substance abuse have learning disabilities: Source: Hazelton Foundation, Minnesota
62% of learning disabled students were unemployed one year after graduation; Source: National Longitudinal Transition Study (Wagner )
50% of females with learning disabilities will be mothers (many of them single) within 3-5 years of leaving high school; Source: National Longitudinal Transition Study (Wagner )
31% of adolescents with learning disabilities will be arrested 3-5 years out of high school.
Source from LD Hope : www.ldhope.com
List of Colleges that have Programs especially Designed for Students of Learning Disabilities: www.college-scholarships.com/learning-disabilities.htm
Better Understanding Disabilities 