Learning Disabilities - World Family Education

By World Family Education

Children with learning disabilities may have difficulty in developing listening, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, or mathematical skills. Learning disabilities (LD) are defined as a neurological disorder, according to LD Online, and children that struggle with an LD may need support and educational modifications to achieve success.

Some common symptoms of an LD are:

poor long-term or short-term memory
uneven academic performance
inability to express ideas orally or in writing
poor reading and/or spelling skills
difficulty in thinking abstractly
poor organizational skills

If a parent or teacher suspects the presence of a learning disability, a professional educational evaluation is needed to determine the exact areas of weakness and to develop a program to strengthen those areas and maximize the student’s learning potential.

A good pediatrician or child psychologist can help with an initial evaluation. These professionals can refer your child to other specialists, if needed.

Types of Learning Disabilities

According to LD Online, Some of the most common learning disabilities are:

Dyslexia – a language-based disability in which a person has trouble understanding written words. It may also be referred to as reading disability or reading disorder.
Dyscalculia – a mathematical disability in which a person has a difficult time solving arithmetic problems and grasping math concepts.
Dysgraphia – a writing disability in which a person finds it hard to form letters or write within a defined space.
Auditory and Visual Processing Disorders – sensory disabilities in which a person has difficulty understanding language despite normal hearing and vision.
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities – a neurological disorder which originates in the right hemisphere of the brain, causing problems with visual-spatial, intuitive, organizational, evaluative and holistic processing functions.

Check the World Family Education page about Special Needs Resources by Location, which lists professional resources specific to various locations globally.

Also, read more about raising a child with special needs internationally at the World Family Education page Children with Special Needs.