From the LD online website I learned learning disabilities (LD) are due to differences in a how a person’s brain is wired. While it is a neurological disorder, it does not mean a child is any less smart than his or her classmates. Children with an LD do not fall under one category. They struggle in several ways and various subjects. Common learning disabilities include dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, auditory and visual processing disorders, and nonverbal learning disabilities.
A language-based disability, dyslexia, causes individual difficulties in understanding written words. Dyscalculia causes students trouble in solving arithmetic problem and/or understanding math concepts. Dysgraphia gives students difficulties in writing letters within a certain space. Auditory and visual processing disorders causes challenges to students in understanding language. Lastly nonverbal learning disabilities, a neurological disorder, result in students struggling with numerous activities such as organizing, evaluating, and visual-spatial, or intuitive processing functions.
A learning disability impacts a student’s learning in various ways. It can influence them emotionally. Having a learning disability often leads a child to emotional distress or can heighten an already existing emotional problem. Students with LD have self-esteem, frustration, anger, depression, or aggression problems. Interpreting and trying to understand why they learn differently from other students can cause all of these feelings. These feelings sometimes lead students acting out. They may be impulsive, withdrawn, overactive, etc. because they are dealing with their LD. They may feel alone or embarrassed because they are not like their peers. They often have lower self-worth because of their academic performance or their limited or non-existent social interactions.
A learning disability can also impact a student’s development. Some children develop and mature slower than peers. Consequently, they may struggle with finishing work. Likewise, some students with auditory or visual processing problems may misunderstand sights and sounds because of their brain and may not be developmentally where their peers are. Sometimes, this is caused by injuries before birth or in early infancy. Students born prematurely also can exhibit LDs and so developmentally, they too, are behind their peers.
A learning disability cannot be cured, yet instead stays with the learner their entire life. This does not mean they will never be good at school. Students with LDs can be successful both in school and their social life with the right accommodations, background knowledge, and strategies in place. These need to be introduced into an LD’s world as soon as possible and need to be adjusted according to their learning needs at that specific time. Parents and teachers need to be students with LD’s biggest supporters by promoting their strengths. It needs to be a partnership and collaboration between all members in a student with LD’s life.
In conclusion, I learned a lot about learning disabilities from this website. Some specific facts I would like to conclude with are that typically learning disabilities run in families. In fact, many theorists believe specific learning disabilities are inherited. Studies have also found LDs typically are found in boys more so than girls. One hypothesis states that this may be due to a slower maturation rate. Lastly, out of all the LDs, reading difficulties account for about 80% of learning disabilities. Understanding and knowing all the facts about LDs like the ones I mentioned is crucial in setting up the best all inclusive classroom possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment