by Angie Haggstrom

Created on: August 14, 2007

Often mistaken as a low intelligence level, a learning disability is when damage to the brain prevents someone from absorbing or demonstrating knowledge in speaking, writing, reading, math, or fine motor skills. It is not that the child is stupid or is incapable of learning, but rather how he or she learns or how information is transferred from the brain to someone else. Because learning disabilities can have a wide range of symptoms, it makes it hard to diagnose and is often misdiagnosed. If left untreated, the effects of a learning disability are not limited to school age children. Learning disabilities will limit the success and choices that a child will have as an adult. Learning disabilities can be categorized into three main areas.

When a learning disability affects the understanding of the written word or mathematic skills, it is referred to as an academic skill disorder. When a child has difficultly recognizing letters or words, or understanding what it is they are reading, it is an indication of a developmental reading disorder or dyslexia. Dysgaphia, also referred to as a developmental disorder in expressive writing, deals with the difficulty of expression through words. Developmental disorders in expressive writing cause difficulty in the production of sentences. A child's ability to write a thought, idea, or opinion is also hampered. When a learning disability affects math skills, it is categorized as a developmental arithmetic disorder. Memory, the ability to recall information, and some areas of logic may also be affected. Non-verbal learning disorders influence mathematical and visual spacing skills as well as emotional issues such as aggressiveness or depression. These disorders are often difficult to discover and pin point because the symptoms may be seen as a learning difficulty rather than a disability. An educational specialist can be a key treatment in these disorders. Often treatment is administered by utilizing a new method to allow the child to learn or relay information.

Language and speech disorders are another type of learning disability. Receptive language disorders influence the ability to assimilate or produce language. When a child has full compression and hearing capabilities, but exudes difficulty in speaking, a developmental expressive language disorder is suspected. If a child speaking in complete sentences while skipping certain letter sounds or incorrect letter sounds, it is seen as a disorder in the area of articulation.

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