Often learners neglect school work or disrupt the class, not because they do not care, but because they struggle to focus or understand the material. Often leaders pegged as unruly or undisciplined struggle with a learning disability or ADHD. There are many different types of learning disabilities. Some have very distinct symptoms, others are much less obvious. But many learning disabilities go undetected or are mistaken for misbehavior. Once educators identify these symptoms, they can help the child function and learn in the classroom.
Below is a description of different learning disorders, a list of symptoms, and recommendations on how to address each one.
What is a learning disorder (LD)? [1]
A learning disorder is a neurological disorder in which a person’s brain processes information differently. A learning disorder does not mean that a person is less intelligent; they just think differently. Learning Disabilities often result in difficulty “reading, writing, spelling reasoning, recalling, and/or organizing information.”
Some of the most common learning disorders include:
- Dyslexia: difficulty understanding written words
- Dyscalculia: difficulty with math problems and concepts
- Dysgraphia: difficulty writing and forming letters
- Auditory and visual processing disorders: difficulty understanding language, even though hearing and vision is not impaired
- Nonverbal disabilities: difficulty with right hemisphere of brain’s ability to process information
1. Dyslexia: [1]
Information about Dyslexia:
- What is Dyslexia: Dyslexia is difficulty processing written language that often results in trouble spelling, writing, reading and speaking.
- 15-20% of population has some symptoms of dyslexia
- Does not reflect a child’s intelligence level
- Can be hereditary.
- Often goes undetected - Signs/Symptoms:
- Slow reading, reading with great difficulty
- Problem with order of letters
- No difficulty understanding what is said, but great trouble understanding what is written
- Poor spelling and handwriting
- Difficulty in math
- Confuses simple sight words (such as a, I, the, is)
- Difficulty memorizing letters and/or number facts
- Difficulty learning another language
- Reads too slow to understand what is being read - Teaching a Child with Dyslexia:
- Use books on tape or books with pictures to help convey the story line
- Use books with large print
- Give students copies of notes written on board or projector
- Use other senses or styles of learning (hands-on projects, music, etc.)
- Allow plenty of time for reading and writing in class
- Do not mark off for spelling when not necessary
- Give written material in small increments
- Praise child for their strengths to build their self-esteem
2. Dysclculia
Information about Dysclculia: [3]
- What is Dysclculia: Dysclculia is a mathematical learning disability, where difficulties could result in visual-spacial problems, sequences, or remembering number facts
- Signs and Symptoms:
- Difficulty with math, but no trouble with reading , writing, and speaking
- Can remember words but not numbers
- Difficulty organizing numbers
- Trouble with schedules, chronically late, or gaging how long something will take
- Difficulty remembering math concepts for long span of time
- Difficulty keeping score, estimating or counting down numbers - Teaching a child with Dysclulia:
- Use graph paper to help them organize numbers
- Explain math concepts—Do not just expect child to memorize facts
- Use tricks and sayings to help child remember words
- Use examples when teaching math concepts
- Use visuals (such as blocks and cubes) to illicit understanding
- Eliminate as many distractions as possible
3. Dysgraphia[4]
Information on Dysgraphia:
- What is Dysgraphia: Dysgraphia is a difficulty with writing which often results in difficulty spelling, poor handwriting, and difficulty putting ideas into words. This disorder involves difficulty with motor skills and information processing.
- Signs and Symptoms:
- Awkward way of holding pencil/pen
- Illegible handwriting
- Avoids writing and drawing
- Speaks aloud when writing
- Understands written and spoken words, but cannot convey an understanding through writing. - Teaching a child with Dysgraphia:
-Give children other ways to present information: oral reports, pictures, etc.
-Give child time, assistance, and practice in writing
-Help child practice writing by giving small, achievable assignments at a time
-Help child prepare for written tests and assignments by preparing questions, outlines and graphs, preparing drafts.
-Encourage the child to check over their work.
4. Processing Deficits [5]
Information on Processing Deficits:
- What are Processing Deficits: Processing Deficits are sensory disabilities that result in difficulty processing information.
- See: http://ldonline.org/article/6376
5. Nonverbal Disabilities [6]
Information on Nonverbal Disabilities:
- What is it: Difficulty recognizing and translating nonverbal cues. These children are often labelled as emotionally disturbed or socially inappropriate.
Information about nonverbal disabilities:
-65% of communication is nonverbal
-Does not influence academic performance. Children with nonverbal disabilities may have no trouble with speaking, writing, or vocabulary.
-Affects about 1% of the population
-Rare in left handed people - Types of Nonverbal Disabilities:
1. Motoric: poor coordination, balance, graphicomotor skills
2. Visual-spatial: poor visual recall
3. Social skills: unable to comprehending and making transitions in verbal communication
4. Sensory: sensitivity of one of the senses (taste, touch, etc.) - Causes for Nonverbal Disorders:
- Head injury
-Numerous radiation treatments on or near the head
-Treatment for hydropcephalus
-Removal of brain tissue form the right hemisphere - Signs and Symptoms:
-very clumsy
-makes very literal translations
-poor social skills
-difficulty understanding and making transitions in verbal communication - Teaching a Child with Nonverbal Disabilities:
-Minimize transitions
-Breakdown metaphoric language
-If learner seems overwhelmed, allow them to sit out activity
-Check for understanding—just because the learner can repeat what you have said does not mean they actually understand it.
6. Visual Motor Deficit [7]
Information on Visual Motor Deficits:
- Signs and Symptoms:
-Reverses similar letters (such as b and d or p and q)
-Trouble finding places at school
-Difficulty copying and cutting
-Difficulty cutting and pasting
-Closes one eye while working
-Yawns when reading
For more information, consult: www.ldonline.org/ldbasics/signs
[1] National Center for Learning Disabilities. “LD Basics.” 2006. LD online. 3 Nov. 2007. <www.ldonline.org/ldbasics/signs>.
[2] National Center for Learning Disabilities. “Dyslexia.” 2007. LD online. 3 Nov. 2007. <www.ldonline.org/article/16282>.
[3] National Center for Learning Disabilities. “Dyscalculia.” 2006. LD online. 3 Nov. 2007. <www.ldonline.org/article/13709>.
[4] National Center for Learning Disabilities. “Dysgraphia.” 2006. LD online. 3 Nov. 2007. <http://www.ldonline.org/article/12770>.
[5] National Center for Learning Disabilities. “Processing Deficits.” 1999. LD online. 3 Nov. 2007. <http://www.ldonline.org/article/6376>.
[6] Thomson, Sue. National Center for Learning Disabilities. “Processing Deficits.” 1996. LD online. 3 Nov. 2007. <http://www.ldonline.org/article/6114>.