Some Facts about Learning Disabilities

• Difficulty with basic reading and language skills are the most common learning disabilities. As many as 80% of people with learning disabilities have reading problems.
• Learning disabilities often run in families.
• Attention disorders, such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities often occur at the same time, but the two disorders are not the same.
• A learning disability can’t be cured or fixed; it is a lifelong issue.
• Learning disabilities should not be confused with other disabilities such as mental retardation, autism, deafness, blindness, and behavioral disabilities.

Kinds of Learning Disabilities

“Learning Disabilities” is an “umbrella” term describing a number of other, more specific learning disabilities:

Dyslexia - A language and reading disability
Dyscalculia - Problems with arithmetic and math concepts
Dysgraphia - A writing disorder resulting in illegibility
Dyspraxia - problems with motor coordination
Central Auditory Processing Disorder - Difficulty processing and remembering language-related tasks
Non-Verbal Learning Disorders -Trouble with nonverbal cues, e.g., body language; poor coordination, clumsy
Language Disorders - Trouble understanding spoken language; poor reading comprehension