Learning disabilities is an umbrella term describing a number of specific learning disabilities.
The three specified academic domains which may be impaired:
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Dyslexia: Impairment in reading
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Dysgraphia: Impairment in written expression
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Dyscalculia: Impairment in mathematics
Challenges of having a learning disability can lead to different mental health issues including:
Identifying learning disabilities early can make a big impact. Early intervention programs can provide the support and resources needed to help children succeed academically and emotionally.
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Low self-esteem and confidence
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Anxiety and stress
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Depression
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Behavioral issues
Dyslexia
Impairment in Reading
Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words.
•Difficulty spelling simple words. •Trouble learning the names of letters. •Problems telling apart letters with similar shapes, such as “d” and “b” or “p” and “q.” •Trouble rhyming. •Reluctance to read aloud in class. •Trouble sounding out new words. •Trouble associating sounds with letters or parts of words. •Trouble learning how sounds go together. •Mixing up the position of sounds in a word.
Dysgraphia
Impairment in Written Expression
Dysgraphia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty turning thoughts into written language.
FINE MOTOR DIFFICULTIES •difficulty holding pencils and forming letters correctly •finding writing tiring •awkward, tight, or painful grip on a pencil •illegible or slow handwriting
LANGUAGE PROCESSING DIFFICULTIES •struggling with spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and overall written expression •difficulty translating ideas onto paper •writing complete words without skipping letters •spacing letters correctly •mixing up the sizes of letters—such as writing some capital letters while others are lowercase •trouble following rules of grammar when writing but not when speaking •noticeable difference between spoken and written understanding of a topic
Dyscalculia
Impairment in Mathematics
Dyscalculia is a learning disorder involves person’s ability to understand number-based information and math.
YOUNG CHILDREN •Counting upward. •Connecting a number to that many of an object •Recognizing numbers and math symbols. •Organizing numbers, such as largest to smallest or first to last. •Recognizing and using number lines.
SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN •Counting on fingers with small numbers (especially at an age where that seems unnecessary). •Identifying small quantities of items just by looking (this looks like needing to count each one by one). •Doing simple calculations from memory. •Memorizing multiplication tables. •Recognizing the same math problem when the order of the numbers or symbols changes (struggling to understand that 1+7=8 is the same as 8=7+1). •Understanding word problems or more advanced symbols (such as > meaning “greater than” or
ADOLESCENTS •Counting backward. •Solving word problems. •Breaking down problems into multiple steps to solve them. •Measuring items. •Measuring quantities (such as for cooking/baking recipes). •Using money (coins and bills) to pay for items, exchanging bills for coins (and vice versa) and making change. •Understanding and converting fractions.