Myths and Facts about Learning Disability

 

Myths and Facts about Learning Disability

Learning Disability (LD) is a syndrome found in children of normal or above intelligence, characterised by specific difficulties in learning to read (Dyslexia), to write (Dysgraphia) and to do grade appropriate mathematics (Dyscalculia).

LD can also be defined as one or more significant defects in essential learning processes. Children show problem in sustaining attention, can get easily distracted and have short attention span.

 Pioneering work to define the nature and causation of the concept L D is credited to William Cruickshank and Samuel Kirk in 1968 officially sanctioned the term specific L.D.

Students with learning disability often experience poor auditory and/or visual discrimination. They may show problems in directional orientation. Children will have problems in organising, categorising, arranging and planning. LD children have difficulty in reading, comprehension, fluency and spelling, experiencing word, letter, number and sound reversals. These students may have problems identifying words and understanding what they read. Oral and written language difficulties compound reading problems. Written language problems include poor handwriting, spelling, sentence formation and composition skills. These students may have problems in recalling math facts, writing numbers legibly, learning arithmetic concepts and abstract math reasoning.

They might have difficulties in understanding pragmatic aspects of language and show word finding difficulties. Symptoms vary with each child and sometimes they are present even in the absence of L D

Learning disabilities are not linked to low intelligence or to autism. They aren’t caused by parental neglect, vaccinations, or too much TV.

Learning disabilities are caused by something affecting the development of the brain. This may occur before birth (prenatally), during birth, or in early childhood. Learning disabilities can be caused by any one of a variety of factors, or by a combination. Sometimes the specific cause is not known. Possible causes include the following:

• An inherited condition, meaning that certain genes passed from the parents affected the brain development, for example Fragile X.
• Chromosome abnormalities such as Down’s syndrome or Turner syndrome.
• Complications during birth resulting in a lack of oxygen to the brain.
• A very premature birth.
• Mother’s illness during pregnancy.
• The mother drinking during pregnancy, for example Foetal Alcohol Syndrome.
• A debilitating illness or injury in early childhood affecting brain development, for example a road traffic accident or child abuse.
• Contact with damaging material (like radiation).
• Neglect, and/or a lack of mental stimulation early in life.
• Some people with learning disabilities have additional physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments.

 
Coping with the challenges of a learning issue can be difficult. Children and teens may experience anger, frustration, anxiety or stress as a result of the difficulty. They may become frustrated when they study extensively but receive low test scores; experience anger and stress when it is difficult to understand an assignment, or become anxious at the beginning of each new school year. These emotional issues can often compound the issue and may worsen it, but speaking about these and other emotional concerns to a counsellor or therapist can be helpful. A therapist can also help individuals understand that although learning disabilities are lifelong, many methods of help and support are available. A child can also learn effective coping mechanisms to manage the difficulty and any resulting emotional issues. 

 

Occupational therapy can be helpful to children who experience difficulty with motor skills, while educational therapists work with school-aged individuals to improve skills in reading, writing, and math. Speech therapists work with children who have language-based or reading comprehension issues and can help them improve their ability to understand and communicate in social situations. Solution-focused counselling may be appropriate for older children and teens who are aware of their difficulties, as a solution-focused therapist will be able to support youth as they address a difficulty and help them determine what might be working for them and what could be improved upon. Children and adults may also do well in therapy groups or support groups, and play therapy can help young children learn interaction skills, which may be occasionally lacking in the presence of a learning difficulty. 

 

Counselling can also be helpful when those with a learning difficulty feel shy, anxious or otherwise find it challenging to express themselves to others. Because emotional distress can occur as a result, talking through these anxieties in therapy may prove beneficial.

Many successful people have LD, including some famous ones — like Whoopi Goldberg, Jennifer Aniston, and Steven Spielberg. Success stories like these prove that LD challenges need not preclude a person from achieving the highest levels in society.

Dr. Mona Shah

Occupational Therapist, Clinical Psychologist