Learning Disability - Types, Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

The expression "learning disability" can refer to a wide range of issues impairing a child's learning capacity. However, the impact on learning can be little, significant, or anywhere between based on the type and severity of the condition.

Also, there are various types of learning disabilities, and to know more, continue reading!

A learning disability is a severe and long-standing condition that occurs before adolescence. It impacts an individual’s growth, which implies that they often need assistance to grasp information, gain skills and live everyday life.

Furthermore, individuals with a specific learning disability can take time to acquire new skills, comprehend complex material, and communicate with others because they frequently need assistance.

There are several types of learning disorders. Those classifications include the following:

1. Dyscalculia

This learning impairment deals with a person's capacity for understanding numbers and picking up maths concepts. Aside from having issues understanding maths symbols, people with this type of LD may also have trouble remembering and organising numbers, keeping track of time, or counting.

Symptoms of Dyscalculia 

The symptoms of Dyscalculia include –

• Shows difficulty grasping concepts such as quantity, place value, number lines, carrying and borrowing, positive and negative value, etc.
• Showing problems in solving word problems
• Has difficulty arranging events or information
• Exhibits problems using steps in mathematical calculations
• Shows problem-solving fractions
• Can’t make the change and handle money
• Showing difficulty understanding patterns when subtracting, adding, dividing or multiplying
• Has problem processing language to arithmetic processes
• Showing problems while grasping ideas concerning time, such as days, months, quarters, etc.
• Showing difficulty while keeping numbers lined up, keeping track of long division calculations etc.

2. Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

APD, also known as CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder), can negatively impact how the brain processes or interprets sound that passes past the ear unhindered. As a result, even though the sounds in words are audible and distinct enough to be heard, individuals with APD find it difficult to distinguish the slight variations between the sounds.

Additionally, they may need help distinguishing the source of sounds, understanding the order of sounds, or blocking out competing background noises.

Symptoms of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Your child might have APD if they –

• Has issues processing language-related tasks and remembering them but may be fine understanding or remembering non-verbal natural sounds, music, etc.
• Mispronounces, misspells or omits syllables words with a similar sound (bash/batch, belt/built, three/free, celery/salary, jab/job, etc.).
• They digest ideas and thoughts slowly and have trouble explaining them.
• Often takes words too literally and is bewildered by symbolic language (similes, metaphor), puns, and humour.
• Struggles to pay attention to or remember a spoken presentation or lecture.
• Having trouble remembering or understanding verbal instructions; trouble following a series of instructions.
• Frequently asks "What?" even after hearing most of what was stated.
• Has trouble understanding complicated sentence structure or short speech and ignores others, especially if absorbed.

3. Dyslexia

It is a particular learning deficit that has an impact on language-based processing abilities such as reading. The severity can vary from person to person, but it can impede reading comprehension, spelling, remembering, writing, and occasionally speech. It can also coexist with other linked conditions.

Symptoms of Dyslexia

A few signs and symptoms of Dyslexia are –

• Reads laboriously and slowly.
• Displays a significant gap between hearing comprehension and reading comprehension of some texts.
• Experiences decoding problems, especially when the letters are arranged incorrectly.
• Struggles with spelling.
• Displays trouble remembering well-known words.
• May struggle with handwriting.
• Has trouble writing and perhaps has trouble doing math calculations
• A, I, he, the, there, was, and other minor sight words are substituted for others.
• Actual words are more straightforward to decode than random words.

4. Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia impairs one's fine motor and handwriting skills. A few issues include irregular spacing, illegible handwriting, bad spelling, inadequate spatial planning on paper, difficulties composing writing, and difficulty thinking while writing.

Symptoms of Dysgraphia

The symptoms of dysgraphia include –

• Problems with cursive writing and unreadable printing.
• Demonstrates irregularities, such as using both print and cursive, capital and lowercase characters, or erroneous letter sizes, shapes, or slants.
• The distance between letters and words is inconsistent.
• Writing contains incomplete sentences, letters, or words.
• Displays an unusual wrist, body, or paper position.
• Has a tense or strange grip or may complain of hand pain.
• Writing or copying takes time and effort.
• Need help anticipating how they will form letters.
• Illustrates inadequate spatial planning on paper.
• Has a lot of trouble writing and thinking simultaneously (creative writing and taking notes.)

5. Language Processing Disorder

Language Processing Disorder is an instance of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) in which a child has difficulty understanding the meaning of sound groups that compose words, phrases, and tales. An APD affects how the brain interprets all sounds, whereas a Language Processing Disorder (LPD) solely impacts how language is processed.

Symptoms of Language Processing Disorder

A few symptoms of LPD are –

• Displays poor writing quality.
• Showing trouble understanding spoken language.
• Shows a lack of reading comprehension.
• Has trouble reading or identifying labels on objects.
• Demonstrates difficulties putting concepts into words.
• Is frequently frustrated by how little he can say yet has a lot to say.
• Can draw and describe an object but cannot come up with a name for it.
• Words feel like they're "just on the tip of my tongue."
• Has trouble understanding humour.
• Possibly depressed or experiencing sadness.

6. Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit

This condition impairs a person's capability to draw or copy, as well as their interpretation of the information they perceive. It can also cause individuals to regularly lose position, have trouble cutting, grip a pencil excessively tightly, or have poor eye-hand coordination.

Symptoms of Visual Motor / Visual Perceptual Deficit

The signs and symptoms of visual perceptual deficit include –

• Inversions: u for n, w for m; or reversals: p for q, b for d.
• Reports that the print is blurry while reading, and their eyes suffer and itch.
• Yawns while reading and may close one eye while working.
• Letter alignment issues; untidy sheets that may have letters overlapping, spaced unevenly, or not in line.
• Reads across the page while turning their head or holding the paper at an awkward angle.
• Unable to copy correctly.
• Does not recognise a word or object if only a portion of it is displayed.
• Frequent place changes.
• Has trouble cutting or pasting.
• Holds a pencil excessively tightly, frequently breaking the point or a crayon.

7. Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities

Non-verbal learning disability is a notable disparity between strong verbal ability and poor physical, visual-spatial, and social skills. NLD (or NVLD) sufferers frequently struggle to read nonverbal signs like body language or facial expressions, and they may also have impaired coordination.

Symptoms of Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities

In this case, a few of the symptoms include –

• Has difficulty understanding nonverbal clues like body language or facial expressions.
• Difficulty while writing, using scissors, and tying shoes.
• Clumsy, with poor psycho-motor coordination and the tendency to "get in the way" by running into people and objects all the time.
• Has trouble adjusting to route changes and transitions.
• Tendency to vocally describe everything that occurs in order to understand context, spatial orientation, directional notions, and coordination; frequently late or lost.
• Make very precise translations.
• Has trouble applying knowledge acquired before and trouble following multi-step instructions.
• Gives the impression of expertise due to the student's excellent verbal abilities.
• Excessive questioning that could be repetitive and improperly interrupts the flow of a lesson.

Although there is no single causing factor behind learning disability, a few of the contributing factors might include:

• Genetics: It has been found that a child is more likely to experience the same disorder as their parents if they both have learning disabilities.
• Problems During Babyhood: A traumatic event that occurred after birth, such as a high fever, head trauma, or inadequate nutrition.
• Disorder During Birth: Learning difficulties may result from a disease or injury sustained during or after birth. Other potential contributing factors include drug or alcohol use during pregnancy, physical trauma, inadequate uterine growth, low birth weight, and early or protracted labour.
• Comorbidity: Children with learning difficulties are more likely to have issues with attention or disruptive conduct. They can also show symptoms of ADHD.
• Environment: Increased contact with poisons or toxins like lead present in paint, toys, ceramics, etc.

Family history is the most frequent risk element. Besides, poor nutrition, severe brain injuries, childhood abuse, and pregnancy-related conditions are also possible risk factors. Learning difficulties can also be made more likely by lead poisoning, central nervous system infections, or cancer treatments like leukaemia.

First, if your child shows any of the symptoms mentioned above, they might have a learning disability. However, to diagnose, you can follow these steps:

• Speak to your child about their weak areas to better understand the symptoms.
• Support your child emotionally and with sensitivity. Tell them that many people occasionally struggle with school-related responsibilities.
• Ask teachers for specific input on weaknesses or grades.
• Set up a consultation to discuss symptoms and history with a psychologist or neuropsychologist.
• Have the youngster undergo testing in certain areas, such as intellectual/IQ, achievement/academic, memory, language/communication, attention, etc.
• Ask teachers for comments on specific behaviour forms.
• Discuss the test results and suggestions with a psychologist or neuropsychologist.
• Speak with the child's school about resources and accommodations.
• Follow up with the teachers to discuss the success and benefits of the adjustments.
• Neuropsychological testing will be repeated after six to twelve months.

Although there is no cure for learning problems, early detection and intervention can often lessen or control many of them. Additionally, once the underlying illness is treated, limitations brought on by correctable variables like impaired hearing or vision may eventually disappear altogether.

Your kid will benefit most from special education services, which include a team approach to developing their Individualised Education Program (IEP). Additional therapies might include occupational therapy or speech therapy. Also, one-on-one tutoring with a specialist familiar with learning impairments can influence a child's ability to adapt and advance.

You must consult a psychologist or a child specialist if you see any symptoms of a learning disability. Also, as diagnosing at an early age can increase the chances of better management, it is advisable to consult early and care for your child from the risk factors.

Some of the common ways to manage and prevent the signs and symptoms of learning disability are as follows -

• In this regard, a fundamental choice that any parent or primary caregiver must make is to change your lifestyle depending on the child's choices, such as allergies. So, check for poor nutrition, food allergies, harmful chemicals, and heavy metals to prevent learning problems.
• Additional elements that could obstruct the development of the brain and central nervous system include insufficient sleep and physical activity.

Hence, to treat different types of learning disabilities, it is essential to make proper life choices. Although there is no full-proof effective way to prevent it, it is best to support your child and remove any potentially harmful elements from the child's reach.