Understanding Types of Learning Disabilities
As a teacher, understanding how students learn and process information is paramount to helping them reach their full academic potential. Learning disabilities are not indicative of low IQ; however, people with learning disabilities do have difficulty receiving, processing, or communicating information. These disabilities are brain-based disorders that can affect how students read, write, speak, or do math, according to the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD). The National Library of Medicine estimates that learning disabilities impact about 5% of school-aged children globally. When you understand how students with learning differences process information, you gain a clearer understanding of all students. When we are prepared to recognize students' needs and empower their strengths, we help shape confident, capable individuals far beyond the classroom. While only certified professionals can formally diagnose a learning disability, teachers are often the first to notice key signs. Struggling to do or understand something can be frustrating or embarrassing. Teachers should pay attention to social-emotional cues like low self-esteem, frustration, or acting out when facing challenges. Teaching someone with a learning disability starts with recognizing that education isn't one-size-fits-all. Differentiated Instruction is a responsive approach where teachers adjust their methods, materials, and assessments to meet individual student needs.
Defining Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities refer to a number of disorders that may affect the acquisition, organization, retention, understanding, or use of verbal or nonverbal information. These disorders affect learning in individuals who otherwise demonstrate at least average abilities essential for thinking and/or reasoning. Learning disabilities result from impairments in one or more processes related to perceiving, thinking, remembering, or learning. Learning disabilities range in severity and may interfere with the acquisition and use of oral language, reading, written language, and mathematics. Although learning disabilities occur in very young children, the disorders are usually not recognized until the child reaches school age.
Many people use “learning disability” and “learning disorder” interchangeably. But there are technical differences: Learning disorder: This is a diagnostic term. A licensed professional (like a psychologist) diagnoses someone with a learning disorder based on certain criteria. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) defines “learning disorder” and its criteria. Learning disability: This is a legal term. A public school identifies a student with a learning disability based on a variety of assessments and documentation. This may result in legal rights, like the right to an individualized education plan (IEP).
Common Types of Learning Disabilities
Underneath the learning disability umbrella, many disabilities are categorized as one of three types: dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
Dyslexia: Dyslexia is the term associated with specific learning disabilities in reading. Although features of a learning disability in reading vary from person to person, common characteristics include difficulty with individual sounds in words and difficulties with word decoding, fluency, rate of reading, rhyming, spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, and written expression. Dyslexia happens because of disruptions in how your brain processes written words so you can understand them. This may look like issues with spelling simple words, learning the names of letters, rhyming, sounding out new words and more.
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Dysgraphia: Dysgraphia is the term associated with specific learning disabilities in writing. This term is used to capture both the physical act of writing and the quality of written expression. Those with dysgraphia have trouble converting their thoughts into writing or drawing. Poor handwriting is a hallmark of dysgraphia but is far from the only symptom. Sufferers struggle to translate their thoughts into writing, whether in spelling, grammar, vocabulary, critical thinking, or memory. Individuals with dysgraphia may exhibit difficulty with letter spacing, poor motor planning and spatial awareness, and trouble thinking and writing simultaneously. This LD affects your ability to turn your thoughts into written language despite exposure to adequate instruction and education. This may look like issues with handwriting legibility, spelling, holding a pencil correctly, the rate or speed of writing, grammar and more. A learning disorder in writing, also called dysgraphia, may cause the following: Slow handwriting that takes a lot of work. Trouble recalling how to form letters, copy shapes and draw lines. Handwriting that's hard to read. Trouble putting thoughts into writing. Written text that's poorly organized or hard to understand. Trouble with spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Dyscalculia: Dyscalculia is the term associated with specific learning disabilities in math. Dyscalculia encompasses learning disabilities related to mathematical calculations. Individuals with dyscalculia struggle with math concepts, numbers, and reasoning. Sometimes referred to as having “math dyslexia,” individuals might have difficulty reading clocks to tell time, counting money, identifying patterns, remembering math facts, and solving mental math. This LD affects your ability to understand number-based information and math. This may look like issues with counting upwards, doing simple calculations from memory, memorizing multiplication tables, organizing math problems and more. A learning disorder in math, also called dyscalculia, may cause problems with the following skills: Understanding how numbers work and relate to each other. Doing math problems. Learning basic math rules. Using math symbols. Understanding word problems. Organizing and recording information while solving a math problem.
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): Auditory Processing Disorder is the term used to describe a weakness in the ability to understand and use auditory information. In auditory processing disorder (APD), patients have difficulty processing sounds. Individuals with APD may confuse the order of sounds or be unable to filter different sounds, like a teacher’s voice versus background noise. In APD, the brain misinterprets the information received and processed from the ear. A subset of auditory processing disorder, language processing disorder arises when an individual has specific challenges in processing spoken language, impacting both receptive and expressive language. According to the Learning Disabilities Association of America, in language processing disorder, “there is difficulty attaching meaning to sound groups that form words, sentences, and stories.” Children with speech and language disorders can have trouble using and understanding spoken or written words. They may have trouble: Reading and writing. Doing math word problems. Following directions. Answering questions. A variety of speech and language disorders can affect kids. A few examples are: Stuttering, which is trouble saying words or sentences in a way that flows smoothly. Articulation errors, where there is difficulty forming certain words or sounds. Childhood apraxia, which is trouble accurately moving the lips, jaw and tongue to speak. Children with speech or language disorders often can understand and work well with visual information. They also can use visual cues well in social situations.
Visual Processing Disorder: Visual Processing Disorder is the term used to describe a weakness in the ability to understand and use visual information. Individuals with visual perceptual/visual motor deficit exhibit poor hand-eye coordination, often lose their places when reading, and have difficulty with pencils, crayons, glue, scissors, and other fine motor activities. They may also confuse similar looking letters, have trouble navigating their surroundings, or demonstrate unusual eye activity when reading or completing assignments.
Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities (NVLD): Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities is the term used to describe the characteristics of individuals who have unique learning and behavioral profiles that may overlap with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia but that differ in significant ways. While it may sound like nonverbal learning disabilities (NVLD) relate to an individual’s inability to speak, it actually refers to difficulties in decoding nonverbal behaviors or social cues. NVLD sufferers struggle with understanding body language, facial expressions and tone of voice, or the nonverbal aspects of communication. The DSM-5-TR doesn’t currently recognize nonverbal LDs as a type of specific learning disorder. But research shows that about 5% of people with LDs have cognitive and academic difficulties associated with nonverbal LDs. Nonverbal learning disorders can affect: Social abilities, like using social language (slang or informal language) or understanding facial expressions or body language. Executive functioning, like planning, organizing and emotional regulation. Visual-spatial awareness, which can cause issues with coordination. Math skills, particularly comprehension of more advanced math topics. Children with nonverbal learning disorders often have good basic language skills. They can excel at memorizing words too. But these children may have trouble with some skills that don't involve speaking, such as: Perceiving where objects are. Understanding abstract concepts. Reading people's emotions through facial expressions and other cues. Moving the body, also called physical coordination. This type of trouble is known as dyspraxia. Fine motor skills, such as writing. This issue may happen along with other learning disorders. Paying attention, planning and organizing, as seen in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). Understanding higher-level reading or writing tasks, often appearing in later grade school.
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Executive Functioning Deficits: Executive Functioning Deficits is the term used to describe weaknesses in the ability to plan, organize, strategize, remember details, and manage time and space efficiently. JAN's Accommodation Solutions: Executive Functioning Deficits is a publication detailing accommodations for individuals with limitations related to executive functioning.
Causes and Risk Factors
Things that might play roles in learning disorders include:
- Family history and genes: Having a blood relative, such as a parent, with a learning disorder raises the risk of a child having a disorder.
- Risks before birth and shortly after: Learning disorders have been linked with poor growth in the uterus and exposure to alcohol or drugs before being born. Learning disorders also have been tied to being born too early and having a very low weight at birth.
- Emotional trauma: This could involve a deeply stressful experience or emotional abuse. If either happens in early childhood, it may affect how the brain develops and raise the risk of learning disorders.
- Physical trauma: Head injuries or nervous system illnesses might play a role in the development of learning disorders.
- Poisonous substances: Exposure to high levels of toxins, such as lead, has been linked to a larger risk of learning disorders.
Recognizing the Symptoms
At times, all children have trouble learning and using academic skills. But when the symptoms last for at least six months and don't get better with help from adults, a child might have a learning disorder. The symptoms of a learning disorder in a child can include:
- Not being able to master skills in reading, spelling, writing, or math at or near the expected age and grade levels.
- Trouble understanding and following instructions.
- Problems remembering what someone just said.
- Lacking coordination while walking, playing sports, or doing things that use small muscles, such as holding a pencil.
- Easily losing homework, schoolbooks, or other items.
- Trouble completing homework and assignments on time.
- Acting out or having defiant, angry, or large emotional reactions at school. Or, acting any of these ways while doing academic tasks such as homework or reading.
It can be hard to figure out that a child has a learning disorder. Some children have learning disorders for a long time before they are diagnosed. These children can have such a hard time in school that their self-esteem and drive to succeed goes down. That's why it's a good idea for parents to know the symptoms of learning disorders. The sooner you spot the symptoms, the faster you can help your child succeed.
Seeking Help and Support
Early treatment is key, because the problem can grow. A child who doesn't learn to add numbers in elementary school won't be able to do algebra in high school. Children who have learning disorders also can have:
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- Anxiety about their grades.
- Depression.
- Low self-esteem.
- Tiredness.
- Less motivation.
Some children might act out to distract attention from their challenges at school. If you suspect your child has trouble learning, you can ask the school to check for a learning disorder. Or you can get a private evaluation outside of the school system. A child's teacher, parents or guardian, and healthcare professional are some of the people who can request an evaluation.
Your child will likely first have a general physical exam that checks for vision, hearing, or other medical problems that can make learning harder. Often, a child will have a series of exams done by a team of professionals, including a:
- Psychologist.
- Special education teacher.
- Occupational therapist.
- Social worker or nurse.
- Speech and language specialist.
These professionals work together to decide whether a child's trouble meets the definition of a learning disorder. They also figure out what special-education services are needed if the child has a disorder. The team bases its decisions on:
- The results of tests.
- Teacher feedback.
- Input from the parents or guardians.
- A review of how the child does in school.
A child's healthcare professional also might do tests to look for mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. These mental health conditions can contribute to delays in academic skills. For example, some children with ADHD struggle to finish classwork and homework. But ADHD might not necessarily cause them to have trouble learning academic skills. Instead, it may cause them to have a hard time performing those skills. Many children have ADHD along with a learning disorder.
Treatment Options and Accommodations
If your child has a learning disorder, your child's healthcare team or school might suggest:
- Extra help: A reading specialist, math tutor, or other trained professional can teach your child ways to do schoolwork, study, and get organized.
- Individualized education program (IEP): This written plan sets learning goals and describes the special-education services your child needs. Public schools develop IEPs for students whose challenges meet the school system's guidelines for a learning disorder. In some countries, IEPs are called individual education plans.
- Changes in the classroom: These are also known as accommodations. For instance, some students with learning disorders get more time to complete work or tests. They may be asked to do fewer math problems in assignments. And they may get seated near their teachers to boost attention. Some students are allowed to use gadgets. These could include calculators to help solve math problems and programs that turn text into speech you can hear. The school also might be willing to provide audiobooks to listen to while reading along with a physical copy.
- Therapy: Different types of therapy may help. Occupational therapy might improve writing problems. A speech-language therapist can help with language skills.
- Medicine: Your child's healthcare professional might suggest medicine to treat depression or anxiety. Medicines for ADHD may help a child's ability to focus in school.
- Complementary and alternative treatments: More research is needed to find out if these treatments work for learning disorders. They include diet changes, use of vitamins, eye exercises, and a treatment that works with brain waves called neurofeedback.
Your child's treatment plan will likely change over time. You always can ask the school for more special-education services or classroom changes. If your child has an IEP, review it with the school at least every year. Your child may need less treatment or fewer learning aids over time.
The ADA and Learning Disabilities
The ADA does not contain a definitive list of medical conditions that constitute disabilities. Instead, the ADA defines a person with a disability as someone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more "major life activities," (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. People with learning disabilities may develop some of the limitations discussed below, but seldom develop all of them. Also, the degree of limitation will vary among individuals. Be aware that not all people with learning disabilities will need accommodations to perform their jobs and many others may only need a few accommodations. The following is only a sample of the possibilities available. What accommodations are available to reduce or eliminate these problems?
Prevalence and Impact
Learning disabilities are relatively common. About 5% of school-aged children globally have LDs. Dyslexia is the most common. Early treatment can lessen the effects of a learning disorder. In the meantime, help your child understand in simple terms the need for any other services and how they may help. Also, focus on your child's strengths. Encourage your child to pursue interests that boost confidence. Many kids with learning disorders go on to lead successful lives as adults. Together, these tactics can boost your child's skills. They also use your child's strengths and help with learning in and outside of school.
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