Frequently Asked Questions

A group of students with Learning Disabilities at Holy Heart of Mary High School posted the questions they have asked or are frequently asked plus the answers they found after doing some research.

1)  What is a Learning Disability?
A Learning Disability is "a disorder in one or more of the basic processes involved in understanding spoken or written language. It may show up as a in listening, thinking, speaking, reading, writing, or spelling, or a person's ability to do math, despite at least average intelligence." (Lerner, J.(1997)Learning Disabilities (7 ed.) New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.) L.D. is an abbreviation often used to refer to a learning disability.

2)  Who do learning disabilities affect ?
Learning disability affect children and adults of all age. Both males and females can have a learning disability. There is approximately 10-20% of the population have some sort of Learning Disability.

3)  What are common characteristics associated with Learning Disabilities?

Areas to consider at different stages of development:

Preschool

• speaks later than most children
• problems saying speech sounds
• slow vocabulary growth
• difficulty rhyming words
• extremely restless and easily distracted
• difficulty following directions or routines
• fine motor delays

Grades K - 4

• trouble with connections between letters & sounds
• consistent reading and spelling errors
• confuses letters, numbers, and signs
• problems remembering facts
• slow to learn new skills
• impulsive
• poor coordination
• trouble with sequencing and time
• poor or unusual pencil grip

Grades 5 - 8

• avoids reading and writing
• slow to learn reading strategies
• difficulty with word problems
• poor handwriting
• poor recall of facts
• difficulty with friends
• problems with sequenced events
• problems understanding social language

High School & Adulthood

• spells incorrectly
• avoids reading and writing
• problems with open-ended questions
• poor memory
• difficulty with transitions
• pays either too much or not enough attention to details
• misreads information
• difficulty summarizing, generalizing, and grasping abstract concepts

6)  What causes  a Learning Disability?

Learning Disabilities are not due to a visual, hearing, or motor disability.  No one is 100% sure of the cause of Learning Disabilities.  Some possible theories include:

• heredity
• problems during pregnancy and/or childbirth
• drug and or alcohol abuse by the pregnant mother
• incidents after childbirth - head injuries, poisons or nutritional deprivation

7)  Are Learning Disabilities genetic ?
The issue of heredity is not well understood. Some say that if a parent has a Learning Disability then there is an increased chance of the child having a Learning Disability. However if one or both parents have Learning Disability there could be an environmental component to consider. This means that the home surroundings may not have a lot of books or literature around and the family may not read together and this too will affect the child's reading development.

8)  Are Learning Disabilities present at birth or can you develop them?
Research of the brain shows that there may be a difference between the brains of people with a Learning Disability and those without a L.D. However, a Learning Disability may be caused by some sort of injury to the brain after birth. This does not mean a Learning Disability has developed. It has just happened by accident.

9)  Can you "outgrow" a Learning Disability?
You can not really "outgrow' a Learning Disability. It is something you have to cope with and live with. There are ways to get around a Learning Disability. For example, assistive technology may help. Maturity and motivation are important for changes to be made.

10)  How can you diagnosed with a Learning Disability?
A comprehensive assessment by a registered psychologist is necessary for diagnosis.

11)  Are people with Learning Disabilities "stupid"?
No, absolutely not. As a matter of fact one of the criteria for diagnosing a learning disability is average or above average intelligence!

12)  What areas of life do Learning Disabilities affect?
A Learning Disability may affect many different areas depending on the individual. For example, it may affect reading, writing, spelling, or math concepts.

13)  Where can I get help if I have a Learning Disability?
There are many places to look for help. Parents and students can talk to their teacher, the special education teacher, and the principal. Also, you local branch of the Learning Disabilities Association may help. If you have other unanswered questions check out our links for some good sites.

Reprinted from: http://www.hhm.k12.nf.ca/grassroots/learn-dis/learning%20disabilities.html