The Facts About Learning Disabilities

A Quick Look
Learning disabilities are real. A person can be of average or above-average intelligence, not have any major sensory problems (like blindness or hearing impairment), and yet struggle to keep up with people of the same age in learning and regular functioning.

What is a learning disability? 
Learning Disability is not a single disorder. It is a term that refers to a group of disorders. LDs are neurological disorders that affect the brain's ability to receive, process, store and respond to information. The term learning disability is used to describe the seeming unexplained difficulty a person of at least average intelligence has in acquiring basic academic skills. These skills are essential for success at school and work, and for coping with life in general.

How can one tell if a person has a learning disability? 
Learning disabilities can affect a person's ability in the areas of Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Other features of a learning disability are:

• A distinct gap between the level of achievement that is expected and what is actually achieved 
• Difficulties that can become apparent in different ways with different people 
• Difficulties that manifest themselves differently throughout development 
• Difficulties with socio-emotional skills and behavior. 

A learning disability is not a disease, so there is no cure, but there are ways to overcome the challenges it poses through identification and accommodation.

• Identification : If there is reason to think a person might have LD, it is important to collect observations by parents, teachers, doctors and others regularly in contact with that person. If there does seem to be a pattern of trouble that is more than just an isolated case of difficulty, the next step is to seek help from school or consult a learning specialist for an evaluation. 
• Accommodation and Modification: Depending on the type of learning disability and its severity, as well as the person's age, different kinds of assistance can be provided. People of all ages with LD should be protected against discrimination and have a right to different forms of assistance in the classroom and workplace. 

What causes learning disabilities? 
Experts aren't exactly sure what causes learning disabilities. LD may be due to:

• Heredity - often learning disabilities run in the family, so it's not uncommon to find that people with LD have parents or other relatives with similar difficulties. 
• Problems during pregnancy and birth - LD may be caused by illness or injury during or before birth. It may also be caused by drug and alcohol use during pregnancy, low birth weight, lack of oxygen and premature or prolonged labor. 
• Incidents after birth - Head injuries, nutritional deprivation and exposure to toxic substances (i.e. lead) can contribute to LD. 

Learning disabilities are NOT caused by economic disadvantage, environmental factors or cultural differences. In fact, there is frequently no apparent cause for LD. Each type of strategy should be considered when planning instruction and support. A person with dysgraphia will benefit from help from both specialists and those who are closest to the person. Finding the most beneficial type of support is a process of trying different ideas and openly exchanging thoughts on what works best.

Are learning disabilities common? 
Currently, almost 2.9 million school-aged children in the US are classified as having specific learning disabilities (SLD) and receive some kind of special education support. They are approximately 5% of all school-aged children in public schools. These numbers do not include children in private and religious schools or home-schooled children. Studies show that learning disabilities do not fall evenly across racial and ethnic groups. LD is not caused by economic disadvantage, but the increased risk of exposure to harmful toxins (lead, tobacco, alcohol, etc.) at early stages of development are prevalent in low-income communities.

What can one do about learning disabilities? 
Learning disabilities are lifelong, and although they won't go away, they don't have to stop a person from achieving goals. Help is available if they are identified. Learning disabilities affect every person differently, and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Sometimes people have more than one learning disability. In addition, approximately one third of people with LD also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), which makes it difficult for them to concentrate, stay focused or manage their attention to specific tasks.

LD and children 
Early identification is vital in helping a child to succeed academically, as well as socially. If you think your child is displaying signs of a learning disability, share them with classroom teachers and others who come in contact with your child. Observe the way your child develops the language, motor coordination and social skills and behaviors important for success in school. And remember, early is better-even preschoolers can show signs of risk for LD. Don't panic. Not all children who are slow to develop skills have LD. If your child does have a learning disability, early intervention with specialized teaching strategies can help to overcome difficulties. As a parent, it is important to learn as much as you can and to help your child understand that he or she is not alone: other children struggle too, and adults are there to help.

LD and adulthood 
It is never too late to get help for a learning disability. Finding out about a learning disability can be a great relief to adults who could not explain the reason for their struggles in the past. Testing specialists are available for people of all ages, and assistance is available for every stage of life. Taking the initiative to seek out support and services than can provide help is the first step to overcoming a learning disability.
Many adults (some of whom are unaware of their LD) have developed ways to cope with their difficulties and are able to lead successful, functioning lives. LD shouldn't hinder a person from attaining goals. Regardless of the situation, understanding the specific challenges and learning strategies to deal with LD directly at every stage can alleviate a lot of frustration and make successful living much easier.

Fast Facts
What you should know about learning disabilities (LD): 

• LDs are specific neurological disorders that affect the brain's ability to store, process or communicate information. 
• "Specific learning disability" (SLD) is the term used in the federal law for any LD. 
• LDs can affect different aspects of learning and functioning - see the chart below for specific types of learning disabilities and related disorders. 
• LDs can be compensated for and even overcome through alternate ways of learning, accommodations and modifications. 
• According to the US Department of Education, LDs affect approximately 5% of all children enrolled in public schools.*
• LDs can occur with other disorders (AD/HD, Information Processing Disorders). 
• LDs are NOT the same as mental retardation, autism, deafness, blindness, behavioral disorders or laziness. 
• LDs are not the result of economic disadvantage, environmental factors or cultural differences. LD 

Terminology:
Dyslexia 

• Area of difficulty: Processing language 
• Symptoms include trouble with: Reading , writing & spelling 
• Example: Letters and words may be written or pronounced backwards 

Dyscalculia 

• Area of difficulty: Math skills 
• Symptoms include trouble with: Computation, remembering math facts, concepts of time & money 
• Example: Difficulty learning to count by 2s, 3s, 4s 

Dysgraphia 

• Area of difficulty: Written expression 
• Symptoms include trouble with: Handwriting, spelling, composition 
• Example: Illegible handwriting, difficulty organizing ideas 

Dyspraxia 

• Area of difficulty: Fine motor skills 
• Symptoms include trouble with: Coordination, manual dexterity 
• Example: Trouble with scissors, buttons

Auditory Processing Disorder 

• Area of difficulty: Interpreting auditory information 
• Symptoms include trouble with: Language development, reading 
• Example: Difficulty anticipating how a speaker will end a sentence 

Visual Processing Disorder 

• Area of difficulty: Interpreting visual information 
• Symptoms include trouble with: Reading , writing & math 
• Example: Difficulty distinguishing letters like "h" and "n" 

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) 

• Area of difficulty: Concentration & focus 
• Symptoms include trouble with: Over-activity, distractibility & impulsivity 
• Example: Can’t sit still, loses interest quickly 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a learning disability?

• Learning disability (LD) is the most common developmental disorder. 
• A person who has a LD has a low IQ (low intelligence) and has problems adjusting to everyday life. 
• Not all children with LD act the same. It can be mild, moderate, or severe. 
• Each child with LD has different strengths and weaknesses. 

What causes it? 

• The cause of many cases is unknown. 
• It can be caused by injury, disease, infection, or parts of the brain not working right. 
• It can be caused before a child is born, during the birthing process, soon after birth, or during childhood. 
• Genetics can cause LD. Genes from the parents affect how the baby's brain works. 
• Drug or alcohol use by a pregnant mother can cause LD in her child. 

How is it treated?

• Treatment works best if the child is diagnosed with LD at an early age and it is treated right away. The goal of treatment is to help the child learn how to be a part of family and community life. 
• Most children with LD can learn and some can lead independent lives. 
• Talk to your doctor and teachers. Your child should be tested to see what her strengths and weaknesses are. Health care workers and teachers will use your child's strengths to teach her. 
• Your doctor can help you get your child tested. Your child will need to be seen by many different professionals. 
• Some of the professionals can help your child with education. Others can help with speech, vision, and hearing. Others can help with physical therapy or counseling. 
• Treatment works best when the child's family and all of the professionals work together. 
• Some medications may help your child. 
• Professionals can help the whole family, not just the child with LD. Parents, brothers, sisters, and other people close to children with LD also need support. 

How long does it last? 

• LD can usually not be cured, but many children can learn new things. 

Can it be prevented? 

• Pregnant mothers should not drink alcohol or use drugs. 
• Pregnant mothers should have regular doctor's appointments during pregnancy. 
• Protect your child from head injuries. Children should wear helmets when riding bikes, skating, etc. Children should be placed in car seats or use seatbelts. 
• If your child shows symptoms of meningitis, take her to the doctor immediately. 
• Doctors can give babies blood tests soon after birth to see if they have certain conditions that could lead to LD. Some cases of LD can be prevented if treated soon enough. 

Learning Disabilities and the Arts
The arts are more than just a fun way to keep kids occupied. Art activities can help children with learning disabilities begin to overcome the challenges they face in learning in many different ways. Of course, having a learning disability does not necessarily mean that a person has an exceptional artistic talent. However, music, art, crafts and dance can give students with learning disabilities a chance to express themselves through different media and gain confidence along the way.

Unlocking confidence 
A feeling of self-worth - the knowledge that you can do something - is a critical part of the learning process. Children with learning disabilities often come to think they are incapable of learning because of their ongoing difficulties in school. A paintbrush, a costume, a drum or paper, scissors and glue can be new tools for self-expression that boost confidence while providing opportunities for learning.

Learning through art 
The arts can open the world of learning to students who have trouble with traditional teaching methods. The arts are intellectual disciplines - requiring complex thinking and problem solving - that offer students the opportunity to construct their own understanding of the world.

• Drawing and painting reinforce motor skills and can also be a way of learning shapes, contrasts, boundaries, spatial relationships, size and other math concepts. 
• Music teaches children about rhythm, sound and pitch. Beats can help children learn rhymes and phonological awareness. Using repetitive songs to learn academic facts (like the alphabet song or multiplication tables) can make the learning experience easier and more fun.
• Dance provides children with a social way to learn about sequencing, rhythm and following directions. While developing coordination and motor control, students can also learn counting and directionality, which can enhance reading and writing concepts - such as understanding the difference between similar looking letters (like p/b/d/q) and telling left from right. 
• Performing plays is an opportunity for children to immerse themselves in a theme and learn about it in a profound and personal way. Acting out historical or literary figures and events gives students a sense of ownership about what they've learned, allowing them to acquire a deeper appreciation of the subject matter. 
• Crafts offer children the opportunity to express themselves in two- and three-dimensional ways. Students can develop vital problem-solving skills without having to rely on areas of expression that may be more challenging. 

Arts as a means of assessment 
Timed tests and take-home reports are traditional means of academic assessment that can be especially difficult for individuals with learning disabilities. Creative projects offer these students the freedom to show what they know without the constraints of printed text. Offering students art projects or multi-media presentations as a way to demonstrate an understanding of material they've learned can be an excellent alternative. Because a person has difficulty learning through hearing alone or seeing alone, that does not mean they cannot learn. The arts offer individuals with learning disabilities dynamic ways of learning, and just as importantly, a way to fully discover their own self-worth.



by The Kiwanis Disability Information and Support Centre
No. 21 Jalan SS3/82, Petaling Jaya, 47301, Selangor, Malaysia Tel: 03-7877 0096, Fax: 03-7877 8096 Email: info@disabilitymalaysia.com Website: www.disabilitymalaysia.com A Community Service Project of the Kiwanis Club of Pantai (KL)