Does My Child Have a Learning Disability?

by Janet Reed, PhD, MHA

What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is defined as a deficit in one or more psychological processes that affects learning.  They occur in approximately 5 - 10% of individuals.  Learning disabilities have been found to exist in individuals with dysfunction in specific brain regions.

What are the types of learning disability?
Learning disabilities can be broken down into language-based and non-language-based (or nonverbal) learning disabilities.  Language-based learning disabilities are the most common, and include deficits in specific aspects of reading (e.g., comprehension, word decoding), spelling, and/or arithmetic.  Nonverbal learning disabilities are less common, but are often accompanied by deficits in sight word reading and arithmetic reasoning.  Other terms used for learning problems are dyslexia (reading disability), dysgraphia (writing disability), dyscalculia (arithmetic disability), and dyspraxia (fine motor deficits).

Who can identify a learning disability?
Clinical and School psychologists with the appropriate training may administer intellectual and achievement tests for identifying a discrepancy between a person's potential (or IQ), and their academic skills (level of achievement), and determine a student's eligibility for special education services in public schools.

A more comprehensive assessment such as a neuropsychological evaluation can identify underlying patterns of memory, attention, language, visual-perceptual, and visual-motor functioning that contribute to learning difficulties.  This can aid in developing intervention strategies and suggesting specific accommodations.

Is my child at risk for learning disabilities?
Those with a family history of learning disabilities and attention problems; and those with an early personal history of language or motor delays are at-risk for developing learning and attention problems that affect learning.  In addition, those who were premature with very low birthweight, medical conditions affecting cognitive functioning (certain cardiac conditions), genetic disorders (e.g., Klinefelter syndrome, Turner syndrome) and those with neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy) are also at-risk.

What are the warning signs?
Mirror writing or backward writing do not necessarily indicate a learning disability, and are developmentally appropriate as a child is learning new skills.  Problems with learning the alphabet, matching sounds and their visual representation, and learning numbers and colors may indicate weaknesses in young children.  More subtle difficulties with math concepts, reading comprehension, or written expression may be evident as a student progresses through the middle elementary grades.  

How are learning disabilities treated?
Learning disabilities are not typically remediated with overpractice or traditional tutoring. Depending on the underlying processing problems, specific remediation programs are recommended.  There are a number of evidence-based reading interventions reviewed by the Florida Reading Research Center and the National Reading Panel. Accommodations in presentation style, response format, or curriculum may be needed to prevent the specific learning disability from interfering with a student's ability to learn new information or skills.  

Resources
National Reading Panel Report
http://www.nationalreadingpanel.org/

Florida Center for Reading Research
http://www.fcrr.org/FCRRReports/CReportsCS.aspx?rep=supp

Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan
http://www.ldaofmichigan.org/

Nonverbal Learning Disorders Association
http://www.nldline.com/

NLD Online
http://www.nldline.com/

National Center for Learning Disabilities
http://www.ncld.org/

Dr. Reed is a pediatric neuropsychologist and clinical child psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She is a Senior Staff Neuropsychologist at Henry Ford Behavioral Health Division of Neuropsychology and Director of Clinical Programs in the multidisciplinary Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. She sees patients at four locations in Detroit and West Bloomfield. Dr. Reed can be reached at 313-876-2526. To learn more about services visit this link. Dr. Reed is a member of The Family Center's Association of Professionals.  

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