Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities affect how a person learns to read, write, speak, and do math. They are caused by differences in the brain, most often in how it functions but also sometimes in its structure. These differences affect the way the brain processes information.¹

Learning disabilities are often discovered once a child is in school and has learning difficulties that do not improve over time. A person can have more than one learning disability.² Learning disabilities can last a person’s entire life, but he or she can still be successful with the right educational supports.¹

A learning disability is not an indication of a person’s intelligence. Learning disabilities are different from learning problems due to intellectual and developmental disabilities, or emotional, vision, hearing, or motor skills problems.¹

Different groups may define “learning disability” differently, often depending on the focus of the organization. You can read more at the U.S. Department of Education, which provides statutes, regulations, and policies on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; the Learning Disabilities Association of America ; and https://www.understood.org , which is maintained by the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

Types of Learning Disabilities

Some of the most common learning disabilities are the following:

• Dyslexia. People with dyslexia have problems with reading words accurately and with ease (sometimes called “fluency”) and may have a hard time spelling, understanding sentences, and recognizing words they already know.³
• Dysgraphia. People with dysgraphia have problems with their handwriting. They may have trouble forming letters, writing within a defined space, and writing down their thoughts.⁴
• Dyscalculia. People with this math learning disability may have difficulty understanding arithmetic concepts and doing addition, multiplication, and measuring.⁵
• Apraxia of speech. This disorder involves problems with speaking. People with this disorder have trouble saying what they want to say. It is sometimes called verbal apraxia.⁶
• Central auditory processing disorder. People with this condition have trouble understanding and remembering language-related tasks. They have difficulty explaining things, understanding jokes, and following directions. They confuse words and are easily distracted.⁷
• Nonverbal learning disorders. People with these conditions have strong verbal skills but difficulty understanding facial expression and body language. They are clumsy and have trouble generalizing and following multistep directions.⁸

Because there are many different types of learning disabilities, and some people may have more than one, it is hard to estimate how many people might have learning disabilities.

To view the original video, please go to http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/treatment/mld/Pages/default.aspx

To view the original video, please go to http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/treatment/mld/Pages/default.aspx

To view the original video, please go to http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/treatment/mld/Pages/default.aspx

Many children have trouble reading, writing, or performing other learning-related tasks at some point. This does not mean they have learning disabilities. A child with a learning disability often has several related signs, and they don’t go away or get better over time. The signs of learning disabilities vary from person to person.

Please note that the generally common signs included here are for informational purposes only; the information is not intended to screen for learning disabilities in general or for a specific type of learning disability.

Common signs that a person may have learning disabilities include the following:

• Problems reading and/or writing
• Problems with math
• Poor memory
• Problems paying attention
• Trouble following directions
• Clumsiness
• Trouble telling time
• Problems staying organized¹

A child with a learning disability also may have one or more of the following¹:

• Acting without really thinking about possible outcomes (impulsiveness)
• “Acting out” in school or social situations
• Difficulty staying focused; being easily distracted
• Difficulty saying a word correctly out loud or expressing thoughts
• Problems with school performance from week to week or day to day
• Speaking like a younger child; using short, simple phrases; or leaving out words in sentences
• Having a hard time listening
• Problems dealing with changes in schedule or situations
• Problems understanding words or concepts

These signs alone are not enough to determine that a person has a learning disability. Only a professional can diagnose a learning disability.

Each learning disability has its own signs. A person with a particular disability may not have all of the signs of that disability.

Children being taught in a second language may show signs of learning problems or a learning disability. The learning disability assessment must take into account whether a student is bilingual or a second language learner. In addition, for English-speaking children, the assessment should be sensitive to differences that may be due to dialect, a form of a language that is specific to a region or group.

Below are some common learning disabilities and the signs associated with them:

Researchers do not know all of the possible causes of learning disabilities, but they have found a range of risk factors during their work to find potential causes. Research shows that risk factors may be present from birth and tend to run in families.¹ In fact, children who have a parent with a learning disability are more likely to develop a learning disability themselves.² To better understand learning disabilities, researchers are studying how children’s brains learn to read, write, and develop math skills. Researchers are working on interventions to help address the needs of those who struggle with reading the most, including those with learning disabilities, to improve learning and overall health.

Factors that affect a fetus developing in the womb, such as alcohol or drug use, can put a child at higher risk for a learning problem or disability. Other factors in an infant’s environment may play a role, too. These can include poor nutrition or exposure to lead in water or in paint. Young children who do not receive the support they need for their intellectual development may show signs of learning disabilities once they start school.³

Sometimes a person may develop a learning disability later in life due to injury. Possible causes in such a case include dementia or a traumatic brain injury (TBI).⁴

Learning disabilities are often identified once a child is in school. The school may use a process called “response to intervention” to help identify children with learning disabilities. Special tests are required to make a diagnosis.

Learning disabilities have no cure, but early intervention can lessen their effects. People with learning disabilities can develop ways to cope with their disabilities. Getting help earlier increases the chance of success in school and later in life. If learning disabilities remain untreated, a child may begin to feel frustrated, which can lead to low self-esteem and other problems.¹

Experts can help a child learn skills by building on the child’s strengths and finding ways to compensate for the child’s weaknesses.² Interventions vary depending on the nature and extent of the disability.

Learn tips for managing a learning disability in adulthood.

Children with learning disabilities may be at greater risk for certain conditions compared to other kids. Recognizing and treating these conditions can help a child be more successful.

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) occurs more frequently in children with learning disabilities compared to children without learning disabilities. A child with a learning disability who also has ADHD may be distracted easily and find it harder to concentrate.

An NICHD-supported study on reading disorders found that it is important to treat both the ADHD symptoms and reading problems. The findings show that although both disorders need separate treatments, these interventions can be done effectively at the same time.

Depression/Anxiety

A child with a learning disability may struggle with low self-esteem, frustration, worry, and other problems. Mental health professionals can help the child understand these feelings, learn ways to cope with them, and learn how to build healthy relationships.

Support from schools can improve elementary and secondary students’ math, reading, and other language skills. But how can people with learning disabilities prepare for the demands of university or working life?

Dr. Brett Miller directs the Reading, Writing, and Related Learning Disabilities Program within NICHD’s Child Development and Behavior Branch. In the video series below, he talks about tools, tips, and approaches that can help people manage their learning disabilities as adults.