Learning Disabilities

Children with Learning Disabilities Do you know anyone who suffers from a learning disability? There are several disabilities out there, so chances are you must know someone who battles with the day-to-day hassles. But, are learning disabilities really a hassle? More often than not, this can be considered a misconception. Learning disabilities (LD) affect the way a person “of at least average intelligence receives, stores, and processes information” (NCLD 2001).

Learning Disabilities When a child doesn’t seem to be learning, some teachers and parents in his/her life might criticize the child and think of them as stupid, or maybe just too lazy to want to learn. What they don’t realize is that the child might have a learning disability. But how are these children being helped? There are many programs, special schools and facilities, home teaching methods and many other ways in which children with Learning Disabilities are being helped. There are many different types of learning disabilities; the most common ones are dyslexia and attention deficit disorder.

Learning Disabilities This semester we have spent the majority of our time learning about and discussing how we can best assist exceptional students. Many of these students are individuals with learning dissabilities. Although it would be difficult for every teacher to understand the distinctions, symptoms, weaknesses and strengths of every disability, it can be very helpful to have a general knowledge of the disabilities that may hinder a students ability to learn. Unlike other disabilities like paralysis and blindness, a learning disability (LD) is a hidden handicap. A learning disability does not disfigure or leave visible signs that would invite others to be understanding or offer support (Council for Exceptional Children (CEC),1999).

The causes range from developmental issues in the brain (Learning Disorders 1) to genetic factors, as well as the environment. No matter what the cause of a disability, the capability to effectively address the problem is extremely important to the educational progress of a student. Reading disabilities pose the greatest impact in the high school arena of learning disabilities. According to Snow, Bruns, and Griffin, “Among students identified with learning disabilities, [eighty percent] have serious reading problems” (Rathvon 175). Learning disabilities in reading are the inability to understand the meaning of words and comprehension of passages (Horowitz 2).

First, teachers are rarely prepared to handle the challenges of assessing students who have a learning disability coupled with limited English proficiency (Haung, Milczarski, Raby, 2011). Teachers usually have trouble distinguishing between a learning disorders and acquiring a second language. Eve... ... middle of paper ... ..., K., Milczarski, E., & Raby, C. (2011). The Assessment of English Language Learners with Learning Disabilities: Issues, Concerns, and Implications. Education, 131(4), 732-739.

They may affect one’s ability to speak, listen, think, read, write, spell or compute (According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities). There are many different types of learning disabilities that can prevent a child from exploring the world as opposed to a normal functioning child. Not only does a learning disability affect a child, it can also put pressure on the family and friends that are close to him/her. It has been proven that if a child has one LD they also have one or more other handicaps. “There are currently 2.4 million students that are diagnosed with learning disabilities and receive special education in and out of school, representing 41% of all students receiving special education”(Learning Disabilities Fast Facts).

I will be exploring within this paper about a certain disability of dyslexia, especially what is dyslexia? Why people would be concerned about a child with a learning disability, how people develop attitudes towards people with disabilities and what we can do to change peoples’ attitudes towards other groups of people. A type of learning disability is dyslexia, which is one of the most common learning disabilities, and a primary reading-disorder (Handler & Fierson, 2011) dyslexia is “a language based disability where the student will have trouble understanding written words/numbers” (“Disability Information,” n.d., para. 1). Children with learning disabilities can also have signs such as trouble learning the alphabet, following instructions, and difficulty with reading (Kemp, Smith, & Segal, 2013).

Before the data obtained from testing and from subjective observations can have... ... middle of paper ... ...mined by the capabilities of the child himself. There is a growing concern for children and youth with learning disabilities who have extreme difficulty both academically and in other areas despite their mental capability. The inquiry of the youngster who encounters extraordinary difficulty in learning, however, is not in anyway new. Throughout the years, children from all different surroundings and backgrounds have experienced difficulties in learning. Researchers and investigators have been trying to solve this problem.

Dyslexia is now a widely accepted condition that is prevalent in many classrooms. However, defining dyslexia is difficult as it can be described as a continuum. Although experts largely agree that dyslexia is identifiable as a developmental difficulty of language learning and cognition (Rose, 2009). Dyslexia can pose a host of difficulties for the child and can make daily activities and school life very challenging. The NCLD (2013) states children with dyslexia may have difficulties with ‘accurate and fluent spelling, accurate and fluent written expression, phonological awareness, memory, verbal processing speed and information processing.’ As teachers it is vital that we are aware of the underlying difficulties as the child’s consistent underachievement can appear on the surface as carelessness and lack of effort (Hodge, 2000).

Dyslexia is a congenital disorder characterized by unexpected difficulty learning to decode and spell words in relation to one’s verbal intelligence, motivation, and educational opportunities (Gray E. S, 2008). People have many misconceptions regarding dyslexia which includes visual impairment, low IQ, dyslexia is curable, and this learning disability affects males more often than females. Indicators of dyslexia change over time since it is a process of developmental. It is difficult to identify children with dyslexia; however it becomes more prominent as they progress in school. Experts agree that dyslexia is a learning disability that affects language processing and that it does not occur because of low intelligence, lack of motivation, poor instruction, vision, or hearing problems, cultural disadvantages, or other extrinsic.