Specific Learning

Disabilities

By Kristen Harrison
 What are they?
IDEA defines specific learning disability as:
A disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes
involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that
may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read,
write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations.

IDEA also distinguishes these from other disabilities

Specific Learning Disability does not include learning problems that
are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities; of
intellectual disability; of emotional disturbance; or of environmental,
cultural, or economic disadvantage.

Children with a SLD have brains that are wired differently

This affects how they receive and process information
 Specific Learning Disability (SLD) is by far the biggest group categorized by
the IDEA

Almost half of disabled children fall under the SLD category

People with learning disabilities are often of average or above average

intelligence

SLDs are often referred to as hidden disabilities

The child often seems to succeed in most areas, but their may be a gap in
their learning or skills
 People with learning disabilities see, hear, and understand things differently

Often have trouble learning and using new information and skills

Most Specific learning disabilities involve difficulty with reading, math, writing,
listening, speaking, or reasoning
Signs and Symptoms

Signs in children of preschool age

Troubles finding and pronouncing the right words
Trouble learning alphabet, shapes, colors, and numbers
Trouble with following directions and routines
Trouble using pencils, scissors, crayons, and coloring in lines
Trouble learning to tie shoes, using snap, and using zippers
 Signs in children ages 5-9
Trouble with basic math
Trouble understanding connections between letters and sounds
Trouble learning new skills
Confuses basic words when reading
Consistently misspells words
Trouble telling time and remembering patterns
 Signs in children ages 10-13
Difficulty keeping track of class discussions and expressing their
thoughts out loud
Trouble with organizing
Doesnt like reading or writing
Poor handwriting
Trouble with reading comprehension and math concepts
Types of Specific Learning Disabilities

Auditory Processing Disorder

Affects how sound is processed and understood by the brain
Causes inability to recognize subtle sound differences in words
Trouble blocking background noise and knowing where sound is
coming from

Dyscalculia
Affects ability to learn and understand math concepts
 Dysgraphia
Affects handwriting and fine motor skills
Can be difficult to think and write at the same time
Students often have poor spelling

Dyslexia
Difficulty with reading fluency, comprehension, and language
processing
Can sometimes affect speech
 Language Processing Disorder
Affects interpretation of all received sounds by the brain
Trouble connecting meaning with sounds that correlate into words
and sentences

Visual Perceptive/ Visual Motor Deficit

Affects understanding of information that people see
Can affect the ability to draw or copy things
People with this disability may stuggle with hand- eye coordination,
cutting, and losing their place in their work often
Often miss the small differences between written letters and shapes
How can we help?
The brain can change and form new neural connections, rewiring the
brain to process things easier

New programs such as the Arrowsmith Program can help children to

strengthen the weak cognitive areas using brain exercises

The discovery of the neuroplasticity of the brain gives hope to all those
struggling with specific learning disabilities
 It is important to encourage children with SLDs to develop their
passions and their strengths.
Can help build confidence
Can help with their areas of difficulty as well

Developing an IEP for students with Specific Learning Disabilities can

be exceedingly helpful and can help identify their strengths and
weaknesses