A learning disability is a lifelong disability that is the result of a lifelong neurobiological disorder, that is developmental in nature.

Learning disabilities permeate every aspect of an individual's life, obstructing their ability to learn, develop appropriate motor, language, organizational and social skills and activities of daily living.

Learning disabilities are hidden disabilities.

Learning disabilities impede the ability to store, process or produce information.  People with learning disabilities have trouble learning because their minds process words or information differently than people who learn normally.

Learning disabilities can affect the ability to read, write, speak or compute math and can impair one's ability to build social relationships.

 Deficits in basic reading skills are the most common and often the most debilitating forms of learning disabilities.  Eighty-five percent of students with learning disabilities who receive special education and related services have their basic deficits in language and reading.

Learning disabilities can occur along with, and be complicated by, problems in attention and the development of social skills.

Learning disabilities have distinct characteristics and should not be confused with mental retardation, autism, deafness, blindness and behavioral disorders.  None of these conditions are learning disabilities.

Current research indicates that individuals with learning disabilities are at a greater risk to experience problems such as substance abuse, suicide, depression and significant psychiatric problems compared to the general public.

30% to 50% of all individuals with learning disabilities also have attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Emerging research is supporting a higher incidence of learning disabilities in both urban and rural areas, which is linked to environmental factors such as lead poisoning and poor prenatal care. 

What causes Learning Disabilities?

Pregnancy trauma, such as infection, lack of pre-natal care, prematurity, drugs, alcohol, smoking, some prescription medicines, bulimia or anorexia.

Viral, bacterial and/or genetic injuries.

Abnormal development.

Any condition that involves the brain due to infection, injury or epilepsy.

Family history of learning disabilities. 

What are Common Learning Disabilities?

Dyslexia:  A language based disability in which a person has trouble understanding words, sentences or paragraphs.

Dyscalculia:  A mathematical disability in which a person has a difficult time solving arithmetic problems and grasping math concepts.

Dysgraphia:  A writing disability in which a person finds it hard to form letters or write within a defined space.

Auditory and Visual Processing Disabilities:  A sensory disability in which a person has difficulty understanding language despite normal hearing and vision.

What areas may Learning Disabilities  be present?

Reading:  May have poor reading ability or poor comprehension; may often misread information; may have problems with syntax or grammar; may confuse similar letters or numbers, reverse them or confuse their order; may have difficulty reading addresses, small print and/or columns.

Writing:  Many have difficulty writing ideas and/or organizing thoughts on paper; may reverse or omit letters, words or phrases when writing; may have problems with sentence structure, writing mechanics and organization.

Math:  May have difficulty with arithmetic, math language and math concept; may reverse numbers; may have difficulty with time, sequencing and problem solving.

Language:  May be able to explain things orally, but not in writing; may have difficulty telling or understanding jokes or stories; may misinterpret language or have poor comprehension of what is said; may respond in an inappropriate manner, unrelated to what is said; may respond in an inappropriate manner, unrelated to what is said, or only respond partially to what is said.

Auditory:  May not respond to sounds of spoken language, or may consistently misunderstand what is being said; may be bothered by different frequencies of sound (i.e., music, vacuums, loud noises) of may be overly sensitive to sound. may have difficulty in differentiating sounds that occur simultaneously.