Favorite Links

-- National Center for Learning Disabilites

-- Council for Exceptional Children

-- SchwabLearning.org

--LD Association of America

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The LD FAQ-

What is a "learning disability"?
"Learning disabilities" is a general term that refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical abilities. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual, presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction, and may occur across the life span. Problems in self-regulatory behaviors, social perception, and social interaction may exist with learning disabilities but do not by themselves constitute a learning disability. Although learning disabilities may occur concomitantly with other handicapping conditions (for example, sensory impairment, mental retardation, serious emotional disturbance) or with extrinsic influences such as cultural difference, insufficient or inappropriate instruction) they ARE NOT the result of those conditions or influences. --Definition from the NJCLD (National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities), found in Unlocking Potential-College and other choices for People with LD and AD/HD Edited by Juliana M. Taymons, PH.D and Lynda L. West PH.D with Madeline Sulivan, M.A.
So...
That definition can be kinda hard to understand at first. How about I break it down a bit? A learning disability is a neurological disorder. This imbalance in the brain's chemistry can interfere with a person's ability to retain or produce certain types of information. Because it only inhibits a certain section of a person's brain, a learning disability creates a gap in a person's ability to perform adequately in certain academics. The thing to remember about a learning disability, therefore, is that an individual with one is generally of average or above average intelligence in areas not affected by the neurological imbalance.
Learning disabilities are NOT the same as handicaps such as mental retardation/down syndrome, autism, deafness, blindness, behavioral disorders, and should NEVER be confused or associated with them. Learning disabilities are also NOT the result of economic disadvantage, environmental factors or cultural differences. However, it must be understood that many times learning disabilities do not walk alone may co-occur with other disorders such as attention deficits and hyperactivity but not always .
Many times, learning disabilities are overlooked by stubborn parents unwilling to admit their child may have a difficulty and by teachers untrained in identifying such differences. Learning disabilities occur in both children and adults. They CANNOT be cured, and they DO NOT just simply go away. However, individuals with learning disabilities CAN learn to accept and compensate for their weaknesses and learn to overcome them though determination and perseverance.

What causes a learning disability? -
There are four different factors that can contribute to a learning disability in a person, and they are=
--errors in brain development during pregnancy/ complications during birth. Premature birth, lack of oxygen during labor, prolonged labor, and the consumption of alcohol or drugs by the parent during pregnancy are a few examples of this.
--heredity. Several studies have shown that in many cases learning disabilities tend to run in families.
--brain injury/other incidents during childhood. Head injures such as in child abuse or a car accident may result in a learning disability, as other problems such as malnutrition.
(Learn More at my tips/info page!)

LD Gifted? There's no such thing!!...is there?!?
Talk about a paradox! LD gifted is a relatively new concept that many educators without the training or understanding may not be able to grasp. There is a lovely little article by Susan Baum found on LD Online that explains the concept of LD gifted wonderfully. A Must Read! Susan Baum, among other things, explains that students that can be classified as "LD gifted" can either be: 1. identified as gifted but have a subtle learning disability, 2. identified LD children who are also gifted but their gifts are overlooked by teachers because of their LD, or 3. unidentified by both the gifted education and the special education departments because their gifts and disabilities are masked by what is thought to be average achievement.

How many people have learning disabilities?
Studies show that currently more than 2.8 children are labeled as "learning disabled" and are receiving special education services because of it. That's about 5% of all school aged kids in public schools and 51% of the entire identified special ed population. Of course, this statistic doesn't take into consideration all the children that have been tested and didn't met the criteria for receiving help. It also doesn't encompass all of the children in private/religious schools (which, by the way, many of these private schools currently offer little or no support whatsoever to those who have specific learning disabilities)

Can a person with a learning disability function in society?
With the right assistance and determination? Yes yes yes yes YES!

What are the rights of an individual with an LD?
You have the right to remain silent, anything you say or do can and will be used against you in a court of law...ha hah ha, just kidding! Check out my Tips/In Depth Page please!

Multiple Intelligence Theory?
The Multiple Intelligence theory is an excellent theory developed by Howard Gardner, a neurologist at Harvard. Howard Gardner stated that there are many different types of abilities a person could possibly possess rather than one general intelligence. Gardner identified seven different intelligences, has added an eight and is currently researching two more.

Still have questions? Or maybe you'd like to go a little bit more in depth with one or more of these topics? Please go to my Info/Tips section or visit my Resources page to find several good books, articles, other sites, and people to get into contact with!