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Learning disabilities affect a small percentage of the population, but the effects can be very difficult to cope with. What exactly is a learning disability? A learning disability, or learning disorder, is a difference in brain capacity that affects how information is absorbed, processed, or communicated. Adults and children with learning disorders see, hear, and understand things differently than someone without a learning disability. Because learning disorders are often not detected right away, children who struggle might be told they need to try harder, pay attention, or get motivated. However, students with learning disorders cannot simply try harder, pay more attention, or motivate themselves—their brains actually function differently. They need special attention and alternative ways to learn in order to be productive.

Although symptoms of learning disabilities are very disorder specific and sometimes hard to notice, there are common signs to look for. For example, if your child is developing more slowly than others (starting to speak later, problem solving at a slower rate, etc.), it can be a sign of a learning disability. Although parents may be reluctant to admit their child has a learning disorder, it can’t hurt to get an evaluation to help keep better track of the child’s development. To help parents and family members more easily detect learning disabilities, the National Center for Learning Disabilities has released a checklist that covers the eight areas affected by learning disorders. The list is organized by age and skill set and helps to evaluate signs and symptoms and indicate whether the child is just a bit slow, or would benefit from further assistance, a fine line that many parents need help detecting.

The main areas affected by learning disorders are motor skills, reading, writing, math, and auditory and visual processing. Though difficulty with academic skills may be easy to detect, difficulty with motor skills may not be. Motor difficulty due to a learning disability range from fine motor skills such as gripping and writing to large motor skills like running and jumping. Difficulty with activities such as buttoning a shirt which require hand-eye coordination can be telltale signs of a learning disorder. Identifying the specific type of learning disorder is vital to treating it. Common learning disorders include dyslexia—problems with reading, speaking, and writing; dyscalculia—problems with math, time, and money; dysgraphia—difficulty with spelling and writing; and dyspraxia—difficulty with balance and fine motor skills. In addition, disorders such as auditory processing disorder and visual processing disorder can cause an array of problems related to comprehension of maps, charts, pictures, and symbols.

Although learning disorders are definitely a setback, especially for children in school, they do not have to be a disability. There are countless programs, centers, and tutors that specialize in treating learning disabilities of all types. Furthermore, almost all public and private schools are more than willing to make accommodations for children with learning disabilities, and there are very successful adults living fully functional lives with learning disabilities.

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