What are Learning Disabilities?

Parents often ask what the term “Learning Disability” really means.  Here is some general information about Learning Disabilities that answers some common questions.  Links are also provided to some websites that parents may find helpful and informative.

Facts about LD:

• 15% of the US population (1 in7 Americans) has a learning disability.
• It is estimated that more than 6% of all students in school are challenged with learning problems.
• A Learning Disability is defined as “a neurological condition that interferes with a person’s ability to store, process, or produce information”.
• Learning Disabilities may effect a person’s ability to read, write, speak, perform Math calculations, and reason effectively.
• A person’s attention, memory, coordination, social skills, and emotional maturity may also be effected by a Learning Disability.
• Learning Disabilities often run in families.
• Cognitive Impairment (formerly known as Mental Retardation), autism, and behavioral disorders are NOT Learning Disabilities.
• In fact, most kids with Learning Disabilities are just as (if not more) intelligent than their peers.  Their brains are just “wired” differently for learning.
• Attention Defict/Hyperactivity Disorder often occurs concurrently with LD, but it is a separatedisorder.

For more information about Learning Disabilities, you may want to visit the following online sites:

Learning Disabilities Association of America  www.ldanatl.org

National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)   www.ncld.org/

LD Online  www.ldonline.org

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities:

http://nichcy.org/disability/specific/ld

Thanks for your interest, Linda Tarabek   linda.tarabek@stmikes22003.org