Learning Disorders
​Learning disabilities are a range of disorders that may affect the acquisition, organization, retention, or understanding of verbal/non-verbal information. This is caused by genetic and/or neurobiological factors that have changed how the brain functions, which in turn impacts one or multiple cognitive brain processes related to learning and retaining information. Learning disabilities range in severity and may interfere with the development in the following subjects:
Oral Language
This includes listening, speaking, and understanding
Reading
This includes understanding phonetic knowledge or the sounds that make up spoken language, fluency, word recognition, and comprehension
Written Expression
This includes language, spelling, writing, and written expression
Mathematics
This includes number sense, computation, math facts fluency, and problem solving
-
Difficulty understanding and following instructions
-
Difficulty remembering what someone just told them
-
Fails to master reading, spelling, and/or math skills
-
Difficulty telling right from left and difficulty identifying words
-
Tends to reverse letters, words, or numbers
-
Lacks coordination in walking, sports, or small activities (i.e. holding a pencil or tying a shoelace)
-
Easily loses or misplaces homework
-
Difficulty understanding the concept of time
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that a learning disability diagnosis is not based on a single test, so more than one must be done when a test is conducted. These tests usually involve a combination of Intelligence tests, achievement tests, visual-motor function tests, and language tests.
Intelligence tests
Intended to test cognitive strengths, weaknesses, and problem-solving skills, which tests for function rather than intelligence. Common tests are:
-
Wechsler Intelligence Scale
-
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
-
Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale
-
Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children
-
Differential Ability Scales
-
Cognitive Assessment System
Language tests
Assess how much a child understands what they read, as well as how well they can put sentences and words together. Common tests are:
-
Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals
-
Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation
-
Expressive Picture Vocabulary Test
-
Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test
-
Preschool Language Scale
Visual-motor functioning tests
Visual-motor function tests help determine how well a child can incorporate visual skills with motor skills. This usually involves handwriting and drawing and is important in testing for non-verbal learning disabilities. The most common test is the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration.
Achievements Tests
Achievement tests assess how well the child retains and applies information after a period of learning. Common tests are:
-
Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement
-
Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement
-
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test
-
Scholastic Abilities Test for Adults
Intervention programs to specifically target the learning disability the child has. This can come in the form of gaining special education services from the child’s school or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), a personalized education program to help accommodate the child’s special needs.
Treatments can include
Uses resources and support groups
Focus on the child’s strengths
Plan for the future
Develop social and emotional skills
Want to learn more?
Visit Learning Disabilities Association of America's Resource page for learning disability specific resources