Beyond Disabilities

Many children have trouble reading, writing, or performing other learning-related tasks at some point. This does not mean they have learning disabilities.

Common signs that a person may have learning disabilities include the following:

  • Problems reading and/or writing
  • Problems with maths
  • Poor memory
  • Problems paying attention
  • Trouble following directions
  • Clumsiness
  • Trouble telling time
  • Problems staying organized1

A child with a learning disability also may have one or more of the following :

  • Acting without really thinking about possible outcomes (impulsiveness)
  • “Acting out” in school or social situations
  • Difficulty staying focused; being easily distracted
  • Difficulty saying a word correctly out loud or expressing thoughts
  • Problems with school performance from week to week or day to day
  • Speaking like a younger child; using short, simple phrases; or leaving out words in sentences
  • Having a hard time listening
  • Problems dealing with changes in schedule or situations
  • Problems understanding words or concepts

These signs alone are not enough to determine that a person has a learning disability. Only a professional can

 

Source: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/signs

 

SOME COMMON TYPES OF LEARNING DISABILITIES

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) : A disorder that includes difficulty staying focused and paying attention, controlling behaviour and hyperactivity.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) : A disorder that includes difficulty staying focused and paying attention.
Dyscalculia: A specific learning disability that affects a person’s ability to understand numbers and learn math facts.
Dysgraphia: A specific learning disability that affects a person’s handwriting ability and fine motor skills.
Dyslexia: A specific learning disability that affects reading and related language-based processing skills.
Dyspraxia: A disorder which causes problems with movement and coordination, language and speech.
Executive Functioning Difficulties: Affects, planning, organisation, strategizing, attention to details and managing time and space.
Non Verbal Learning Disabilities: Has trouble interpreting nonverbal cues like facial expressions or body language and may have poor coordination.

Source: https://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/