Learning Disabilities

A learning disability is a neurological disorder that affects different psychological processes that are needed to effectively use our language system. It can manifest in difficulties with reading, writing, spelling, listening, speaking, thinking, or mathematics. The various kinds of specific learning disabilities include:

• Dyslexia: problems with reading, spelling, and writing (including transposing letters and pronunciation difficulties).
• Aphasia: difficulties with processing, speaking, or understanding language.
• Dyscalculia: problems with mathematical computations and concepts.
• Dysgraphia: difficulties with handwriting, spelling, and letter spacing.
• Dyspraxia: problems with gross motor tasks (walking) or fine motor tasks (handling a pencil for writing or drawing).
• Visual or Auditory Processing: difficulties in understanding information presented through visual or auditory mediums; trouble with understanding directions or following a conversation, spatial relationships, or social distances.
• Short- and Long-term Memory: problems with encoding or retrieving memories.

Every individual with a learning disability is unique and shows varying combinations of weaknesses and strengths. Often there are significant discrepancies between one’s intelligence and level of achievement or performance that would be expected. Finding early and targeted interventions is essential in minimizing the effects that a learning disability may have on academic or work success, motivation, and self-esteem.