Common Characteristics of a Learning Disability
Common Characteristics of a Learning Disability
Common characteristics of a learning disability: Overview
By being aware of the common characteristics of a learning disability, parents are able to recognize potential problems early. A learning disability is a neurological disorder that affects one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using spoken or written language. The disability may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write and spell, or do mathematical calculations. People with learning disabilities are generally of average or above average intelligence. There is a gap between a child’s potential and actual achievement. There is no cure for a learning disability. Most people with learning disabilities learn to adapt to their learning differences, and they learn strategies that help them accomplish their goals and dreams. Some people develop sophisticated ways of covering up their learning issues, so learning disabilities are often not diagnosed until the teen years when schoolwork -- and life -- gets more complicated.
Common characteristics of a learning disability: Assessment
Children who have common characteristics of a learning disability show signs of: uneven areas of ability; a short attention span; poor memory; difficulty following directions; an inability to discriminate between/among letters, numerals or sounds; poor reading and/or writing ability; eye-hand coordination problems; poorly coordinated; difficulties with sequencing; disorganization and other sensory difficulties. If parents, teachers, and other professionals discover a child’s learning disability early and provide the right kind of help, it can allow a child a chance to develop skills needed to lead a successful and productive life. A recent National Institutes of Health study showed that 67 percent of young students who were at risk for reading difficulties became average or above average readers after receiving help in the early grades.
Common characteristics of a learning disability: Strategies
There are strategies that help parents and teachers to work with children who have common characteristics of a learning disability. Strategies include: breaking learning into small steps; probing to determine if the student is understanding; providing regular quality feedback; using diagrams, graphics and pictures to support words; providing independent practice; modeling what students should do; and engaging students in process-type questions. Direct instruction means providing simple instructions, sequencing slowly, and using examples. Lots of visual tools are important, as well as allowing time to process requests and allowing time for questions. At LearningRx, we have proven methods that can help your child succeed. Call a local LearningRx center near you or go to www.learningrx.com.
Common characteristics of a learning disability: Overview
By being aware of the common characteristics of a learning disability, parents are able to recognize potential problems early. A learning disability is a neurological disorder that affects one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using spoken or written language. The disability may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write and spell, or do mathematical calculations. People with learning disabilities are generally of average or above average intelligence. There is a gap between a child’s potential and actual achievement. There is no cure for a learning disability. Most people with learning disabilities learn to adapt to their learning differences, and they learn strategies that help them accomplish their goals and dreams. Some people develop sophisticated ways of covering up their learning issues, so learning disabilities are often not diagnosed until the teen years when schoolwork -- and life -- gets more complicated.
Common characteristics of a learning disability: Assessment
Children who have common characteristics of a learning disability show signs of: uneven areas of ability; a short attention span; poor memory; difficulty following directions; an inability to discriminate between/among letters, numerals or sounds; poor reading and/or writing ability; eye-hand coordination problems; poorly coordinated; difficulties with sequencing; disorganization and other sensory difficulties. If parents, teachers, and other professionals discover a child’s learning disability early and provide the right kind of help, it can allow a child a chance to develop skills needed to lead a successful and productive life. A recent National Institutes of Health study showed that 67 percent of young students who were at risk for reading difficulties became average or above average readers after receiving help in the early grades.
Common characteristics of a learning disability: Strategies
There are strategies that help parents and teachers to work with children who have common characteristics of a learning disability. Strategies include: breaking learning into small steps; probing to determine if the student is understanding; providing regular quality feedback; using diagrams, graphics and pictures to support words; providing independent practice; modeling what students should do; and engaging students in process-type questions. Direct instruction means providing simple instructions, sequencing slowly, and using examples. Lots of visual tools are important, as well as allowing time to process requests and allowing time for questions. At LearningRx, we have proven methods that can help your child succeed. Call a local LearningRx center near you or go to www.learningrx.com.
