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.