Types of Learning Disabilities

As we all know learning is a many fold topic. Each individual will be learning something new almost everyday till the end of his/her life. Thus if learning is so wide spread, then when we refer to learning disabilities there are different types to it as well.

Learning disabilities can be divided into three broad categories as, Developmental, Speech and language disorders, Academic skill disorders and ‘Other’ which covers certain coordination and learning disorders not covered by the other terms. Each of these categories cover a number of more specific disorders.

To simplify there are three basic types of learning disorders as reading, mathematics, and written expression disorders Many terms are in use to refer to the different types of earning disabilities identified as Dyslexia and Dyscalculia.. which are explained briefly below.

Dyslexia, is also referred to as a reading disability or reading disorder. It is when an individuals finds it difficult to understand written word.

Dyscalculia, is the type of learning disorder in individuals who find it difficult to solve arithmetic problems and grasping math concepts. It can also be referred to as mathematical disability.

Dysgraphia, is a writing disability where a individual finds it hard to form letters or write within a given space.

Sensory disabilities are known as ‘Auditory and visual processing disorders’, where an individual has difficulty understanding language despite normal hearing and vision.

Nonverbal learning disability is a neurological disorder which originates in the right hemisphere of the brain, causing problems with visual-spatial, intuitive, organizational, evaluative and holistic processing functions.
In brief, learning disabilities can impact the input, integration, memory and output related tasks within the brain.
Most skills required in daily life are impacted by learning disabilities. They cover the vast area from language (Reading disorders, disorder of written expression) to reasoning (Expressive language disorder, Mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, Phonological disorder, stuttering) to calculations (Mathematical disorder) and motor skills (Development coordination disorder).

With the basic learning disabilities identified below are some of skills affected directly or indirectly by them.

• Listening, speaking and understanding are oral language skills affected by learning disorders.
• Decoding and comprehension are skills impacted by reading disorders.
• Spelling and written expressions are skills affected by written language disorders.
• Computation and problem solving are skills impacted by mathematic disorders.

 

As we can see, every the type of learning difficulty affects some part of an individuals life, unless proper attention and care is available to help the individual through his difficulties. It will spare the individual from frustration and issues caused by the learning disability at home, school and in society.