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Illness & disability
Learning disabilities
A learning disability affects how you understand, remember, and respond to new information. Learning disabilities can cause problems in:
- Listening
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
- Doing math
Having a learning disability does not mean that you are slow or dumb. It means that your brain is "wired" a bit differently, so that you learn differently from most other kids.
No one's exactly sure what causes learning disabilities. Since they tend to run in families, genes may play a role. Or they could be caused by something that affects brain development either before or after birth. For instance, getting a head injury when you were very young could affect your brain development and might cause you to have a learning disability. Experts think that lead in drinking water (from lead water pipes that are found in old homes) may cause some kids to have learning disabilities.
Below are some common types of learning disabilities:
Learning Disability |
What it means |
|---|---|
Dyslexia |
Dyslexia makes it hard for people to understand and use language. As a result, they may have problems reading, writing, and maybe even speaking. It is the most common type of learning disability. People with dyslexia may:
|
Dyscalculia |
Dyscalculia makes it hard for people to understand math. They may also have problems telling time and using money. |
Dysgraphia |
Dysgraphia makes it hard for people to write. People with dysgraphia may:
|
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) |
People with APD often do not hear little differences between sounds in words, even though the sounds themselves are loud and clear. For example, the request "Tell me how a chair and a couch are alike" may sound to a child with APD like "Tell me how a couch and a chair are alike." It can even be understood by the child as "Tell me how a cow and a hair are alike." These kinds of problems are more likely to happen when a person with APD is in a noisy room or when he or she is listening to a lot of information. APD goes by many other names. Sometimes it is called central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). Other common names are auditory perception problem, auditory comprehension deficit, central auditory dysfunction, central deafness, and so-called "word deafness." |
Visual Processing Disorders |
Visual processing disorders are also known as visual perceptual processing disorders. They affect how the brain thinks about the things that the eye sees. You can have a visual processing disorder and still have perfect eyesight! The two are not related. Like all learning disabilities, visual processing disorders can be a lifelong challenge. Symptoms of a visual processing disorder include problems with:
|
There's no cure for a learning disability. And you don't outgrow it. But you can learn ways to get around any learning problems you have.
If you think that you may have a learning disability, tell your teacher or your parents. You may see a school psychologist or a learning specialist, who can give you tests to spot any learning problems you might have. If you do have a learning disability, you may work with teachers specially trained to help you learn.
Helpful Tools
- Many young people with learning disabilities also have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Learn more about managing ADHD.
- Learn memory tips to help you do better in school from LDOnline.
- You may need to develop an Individual Education Program (IEP). Read more about Individualized Education Programs.
Content last updated October 21, 2009
