Learning Disabilities

What is Learning Disabilities ?

• A learning disability is any of a number of conditions that make the process of learning difficult because of the way the brain process information.

• A disorder found in children of normal intelligence who difficulties in learning specific skills

• A disorder in basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, spoken or written that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen , think , speak , read , write, spell or use mathematical calculations( Wong&Butler,2012).

Symptoms of Learning Disabilities

• Motor difficulties

• Math difficulties

• Language difficulties

• Reading difficulties

• Writing difficulties

• Auditory and visual processing difficulties ( Neuwirthy,1993).

Explanations of learning Disabilities Symptoms

Motor Difficulties• Motor skills such as cutting or writing• Gross motor skills such as climbing or running• Motor coordination such as holding a pencil or buttoning a

shirtMath Difficulties• Memorization and organization of numbers• Operations signs and number facts• Counting problems or difficulty telling timeLanguage Difficulties• Understand or produce spoken language• Verbal language skills• Inability to recall a story or to understand the meaning of

words, parts of speech, directions, etc.

Reading Difficulties• Basic reading problems• Reading speed and fluency • General vocabulary skillsWriting Difficulties• Difficulty forming words and letters• Neatness and consistency of writing• Spelling consistency• Writing organization and coherenceAuditory and Visual Processing Difficulties• Inability to distinguish distinctive differences in sound• Skipping lines• Having problem in eye sides ( Neuwirth, 1993).

Types of Learning Disabilities Dyslexia • Language disorder, impairment to interpret spatial

relationships inability to integrate visual and auditory information

• Problem linking letters with sounds• Writing words backwards• Reversing the shapes of similar letter D ,B• Problems rhyming Dyscalculia• Sever difficulty in making simple mathematical calculations Dysgraphia• Sever writing difficulties, inability to write.

Dyspraxia /Apraxia• Inability to preform conditioned movement• Problem with fine motor tasks such as getting dressed,

combing hair, using pen Aphasia / Dysphasia• Aphasia is total inability of communication caused by

brain damage or tumor• Dysphasia is impairment in communication• Fully or partially disabled to understand, speak , read ,

write or do mathematical calculations

Learning Difficulties and learning Disabilities

• They are not the same• Learning disabilities are diagnosable• Children with learning disabilities are eligible for special

education • Learning difficulties can be confusing for they have some

slightly similar symptoms but not as severe as the symptoms of learning disabilities

• Some children's may have slight problems with reading or mathematics but not for cerebral problems ( kass & Maddux, 2005).

Criteira • Autism • Deafness• Deaf blindness• Emotional Disturbance• Hearing impairment• Mental retardation• Multiple disabilities • Traumatic brain injury• Visual impairment ( Janzen & Reynolds ,2010).

Features of Evaluation

• Learning problems notices by parents , relatives etc• Seeking specialized advice• Testing process ( required by federal or state

regulations) ( Janzel & Reynolds , 2010).

Famous people with learning disabilities

Winston ChurchillFamous statesmanFailed 8th gradeTerrible in math and disliked school

Albert ElinstenCould not talk until age 4His teachers consideredHim mentally slow, unsociable and a dreamerFailed college entrance examination

Tom CruiseHuge success in entertainment fieldCan only learn lines by listening to a tapeHe has been formally diagnosed with dyslexia

Woodrow Wilson Was the 28th president of the united statesAs a young boy, had great difficulty reading Unable to read well his whole lifeWas extremely successful politics

References • Janzen,E.F.&Reynolds.(2010). Neuropsychological

perspectives on learning disabilities : John wiley & sons.

• Kass,C.E.&Maddux,C.D.(2005). A human development view of learning disabilities ( 2nd ed).USA : Charles c Thomas publisher.

• Neuwirth,S.(1993). Learning disabilities.USA : Dinane publishing.

• Wong,B.Y.L.& Butler,D.L.(2012).Learning about learning disabilities ( 4th ed).Uk.Academic press

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