Learning Disability
Introduction
Learning Disabilities (LDs) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders where the individual unexpectedly fails to competently acquire, retrieve and use information, resulting in profound academic, and psychosocial consequences. Unexpectedly so, because the child’s overall intelligence seems far superior to the academic performance.
Learning disabilities are caused by inborn or acquired abnormalities in the brain structure and function and have a multifactorial etiology (including genetic influences).
Clinical Features
- Inaccurate, Slow, and Effortful Word Reading,
- Difficulty Understanding the Meaning of what is Read,
- Difficulties in Spelling,
- Difficulties in Written Expression,
- Difficulties Mastering the sense of Number, Number Facts, or Calculation, and
- Difficulties in Mathematical Reasoning.
Functional Consequences
- Lower Academic Attainment
- Higher Rates of High School Dropouts
- High Level of Psychological Distress, Poor Mental Health with a Higher Risk for Adverse Mental Health outcomes including Suicidal Tendencies.
Specific types of Learning Disabilities:
Dyslexia (Reading Disability) presents initially with problems in letter-sound relationships (i.e., connecting the sound to the alphabet). This can be identified by low overall reading achievement as compared to peers, or by low reading ability as compared to the child’s overall intelligence.
Dysgraphia (Writing Disabilities) Children present with difficulties in copying efficiently from the board; may show excessive grammar and punctuation errors; formulating, expressing, and organizing ideas in writing and/of produce disorganized text that is difficult to follow.
Dyscalculia (Math Disabilities) inability to correctly read and interpret math symbols and numbers. Students may reverse numbers or make errors while reading them aloud. Students with reading disability and dyscalculia have greater difficulty in solving word problems, because they do not understand the meanings of sentences as well.
Learning Disability Assessment
WRAT – 5 – The wide range achievement test provides an accurate and easy-to-administer way to assess and monitor the reading, spelling and math skills and helps identify possible learning disabilities.
If your child exhibits any of the symptoms listed above, please contact us to schedule a private consultation with our Paediatric Expert.
FAQs
Everyone’s brain works differently, and we all have our learning strengths and challenges. However, when a learning issue or difference becomes a significant obstacle, a child may begin to fall behind their peers despite putting forth significant effort and receiving extra assistance from parents and teachers. When a child continues to struggle despite attempts at remediation, this could be an indication of a learning disability that may require specialized intervention and support.
It is important to monitor your child’s learning and academic achievement from an early age. Discuss your concerns with your child’s pediatrician and other healthcare providers, as they can help rule out other medical issues and help you determine whether further evaluation might be necessary.
There is no cure for learning disorders, but treatment and intervention can be very effective. Teaching style, academic structure, and information presentation may need to be tailored to a student’s learning and processing style in order to ensure successful learning.
No. The presence of a learning disability means only that your child processes information differently than his or her classmates, and supplemental accommodations may be required to help him or her master specific subjects and/or concepts.
You do not have to inform other doctors or nonacademic after-school program coordinators about your child’s disability. It may help the professional give your child better care or services, but it is not a legal requirement.
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