Ultimate Guide to Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities (LD) are a range of different difficulties that people with conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD and more may face. According to Understood.org, 1 in 5 children in the U.S. experience learning and thinking differences. However, only 1 in 16 public school students have access to individualized education programs designed for LD. This means that not enough people are getting the help they need. In fact, they may not even know they have a learning disability. Unfortunately, 33% of teachers and educators often attribute LD symptoms to laziness or a lack of intelligence. Untreated learning disabilities can increase the probability of being unemployed and not completing college, among other problems.

If you believe that you or anyone you know might have a learning disability, getting educated is the first step. This guide is designed to help people with learning disabilities and their support team to take control of their learning.

Signs of Learning Disabilities

The signs listed below can indicate a possible learning disability. However, it’s important to speak with a health professional rather than making your own diagnosis.

  • Inability to focus
  • Difficulties with math, reading or writing
  • Trouble with memory
  • Inability to stay organized
  • Trouble with directions and telling time
  • Clumsy or awkward behavior

In regard to children, there are a few additional symptoms to keep in mind:

  • Impulsive behavior
  • Getting distracted often
  • Recurring school performance issues
  • Trouble listening or understanding
  • Issues with handling schedule changes

What Causes Learning Disabilities

There is no single explanation for learning disabilities. However, some factors are linked to the development of learning disabilities:

  • Genetics. If learning disabilities run in your family, that could increase the chances of developing a learning disability yourself.
  • Environmental reasons. Some hazardous materials and toxins like lead have been linked to learning disabilities.
  • Problems during pregnancy. Premature birth, a low birth weight, alcohol or drug use, and other complications during pregnancy can lead to learning disabilities.
  • Trauma. Events like childhood abuse and physical injuries can potentially trigger learning disabilities.

Types of Learning Disabilities 

You may be wondering just how many learning disabilities there are, and what different types of learning disabilities entail. The most common learning disabilities and their specific indicators are as follows:

  • Dyslexia: difficulty reading or spelling, mispronunciation, trouble forming words or recalling sequences, trouble with seeing or hearing the differences between letters and words
  • ADHD: difficulty concentrating, impulsive behavior, getting frustrated easily, unable to plan, organize or multitask
  • Nonverbal learning disabilities: difficulty with nonverbal cues such as body language and facial expressions, clumsy behavior, early ability to speak verbally and understand language
  • Dyscalculia: trouble understanding clocks, math concepts, and numbers
  • Dysgraphia: difficulty with motor skills, spatial understanding, grammar, writing and forming letters

Treatment Options 

If you or someone you know is suffering from a learning disability, there are several treatment options available. While learning disabilities cannot be cured, people can live with their symptoms and lead successful lives with the help of experts. We recommend speaking to a health professional today to receive detailed information about treatment plans. For most individuals (especially younger children), guidance during school and learning is the most effective way to treat learning disabilities.

  1. IEPs. Individualized Education Programs are designed to assist those suffering from learning disabilities .These curriculums track learning goals and provide services like communication aids to help students succeed.
  2. Special Education. If an individual qualifies for special education, they will have access to supplementary teachers, counselors and a customized curriculum suited to their needs.

Learn More about Learning Disabilities with Lead4Life, Inc.

At Lead4Life, we strive to empower every participant in our programs so that they may find their purpose, achieve their goals, and become poised, productive members of their community. We advocate for those in need and assist each and every individual by providing compassionate education and valuable resources and tools so that they can make the very best decisions and develop important life, social, and competency skills. We also offer individual and family therapy to help you overcome obstacles of all kinds. Visit our website for more information, or contact us at 240-499-8949.

Top 3 Smartphone Apps That Will Improve Your Mental Health

Let’s say that Martha has been experiencing some troubling mental health symptoms. She doesn’t have a network of close peers or a strong support system. Even worse, she feels like she doesn’t have the time to take care of her mental health. She goes through the same routine every day: an alarm wakes her up, she gets ready for the day, she commutes to work, sits in traffic again on the way home, has dinner, and prepares to do it all over again. It’s hard for her to imagine finding the time to make regular appointments, especially if they’re emotionally exhausting. She also struggles with the thought of sitting across from a therapist and sharing her deepest thoughts and feelings.

It can be hard enough to acknowledge mental health concerns and even harder to find a treatment plan that works. Not everyone has access to care that covers mental health, and if available, it may be too costly. Smartphone apps provide an alternative to therapy that works for many individuals like Martha. They are certainly worth a try if you feel like traditional therapy isn’t for you. However, it’s important to mention that none of the apps listed below are a substitute for in-person sessions with a medical professional. Furthermore, if you struggle with a smartphone addiction, you may want to search for a different option.

Top 3 Smartphone Apps That Will Improve Your Mental Health 

1. Bloom: CBT Therapy and Self-Care

Bloom advertises itself as the equivalent of having a therapist in your pocket. The app uses self-guided CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) methods to help users find what works for them. These include journaling exercises, guided therapy sessions, and other activities to transform your thought patterns and behavioral reactions. Users also have the chance to select the coaches they like best, report their daily moods, practice mindfulness, and gain insights over time.

Bloom offers a free trial so users can try the service before committing to a long-term plan. After the trial period, the cost is $14.50 per month or $59.95 yearly. Most professional therapy sessions cost much more per session, so this will still save you plenty of money.

2. Talkspace  

Talkspace is an app that connects you with real mental health professionals who are trained and licensed. With this option, users are able to speak to a therapist through text, video and audio messaging. Talkspace works by first asking you to fill out a brief assessment form. Then, you’re able to pick a provider and start therapy. The company also specializes in couples’ therapy, teen therapy and psychiatric evaluations. Truthfully, this is about as close as you’ll get to professional therapy without booking an in-person appointment.

Using Talkspace costs $69 per week, but you’ll receive unlimited messaging therapy with a licensed expert. For $129 per week, you can also receive 4 45-minute live sessions per month. They also offer a 7-day free trial.

3. Calm

If you suffer from anxiety, Calm is the perfect app for you. This app provides a wide range of meditative exercises, relaxation methods, breathing exercises, sleep aids and audio programs. Even beginners who are looking to start meditating can enjoy the preventative benefits of this app. Of course, with severe mental health complications, it’s always better to receive help from a licensed professional. But for those who are experiencing anxiety symptoms and looking for quick, easy relief, this is a great app to try.

Calm offers a 7-day free trial. After that, the annual cost for Calm Premium is $70 or $14.99 a month.

Partner with Lead4Life, Inc. to Improve Your Mental Health

At Lead4Life, we strive to empower every participant in our programs so that they may find their purpose, achieve their goals, and become poised, productive members of their community. We advocate for those in need and assist each and every individual by providing compassionate education and valuable resources and tools so that they can make the very best decisions and develop important life, social, and competency skills.