Types of learning disabilities - Ananthapuri Hospitals, Trivandrum

Have you ever wondered why your child is having a hard time reading out loud, writing an essay, or tackling a maths problem? Chances are that it might be a learning disability. 

According to a publication in the International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics (IJCP), learning disability is prevalent among 3 - 10% of children between 8 and 10 years old. 

Learning disabilities are considered as hidden disabilities - disabilities that are not immediately apparent to others. They can cause problems in receiving and processing information, which makes it difficult to read, write, do maths and understand directions.

It’s not that a person with a learning disability is of subnormal intelligence  , it’s just that they may hear, see or understand things differently.
 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEARNING DISABILITIES?

1. Dyslexia (Reading Disability)
   Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects areas of the brain that process language.
   Following are the symptoms of dyslexia.
• Difficulty in understanding language
• Trouble in expressing oneself
• Difficulty in memorising
  
  

1. Dyspraxia (Developmental coordination disorder)

Dyspraxia mainly refers to the trouble with movement. Dyspraxia is a common disorder affecting the combined movements of more than one part of the body (motor coordination) in children and adults.

 Following are the symptoms of dyspraxia

• Difficulty in writing and typing
• Speed difficulties in speech like adding unnecessary stress on certain syllables, for instance, saying "banana" as "BUH-nan-uh" instead of "buh-NAN-uh" 
• Inability to control one’s pitch
• Eye movement troubles like a tendency to lose continuity while reading
• Poor balance and posture

1. Dysgraphia
   Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects the coordination of small muscles, particularly the coordination of hands or fingers with the eyes. This condition usually manifests as bad handwriting.

Following are the symptoms of dysgraphia

• Difficulty in writing (tendency to write or copy things slowly)
• Bad handwriting
• Trouble with spelling
  
  
1. Dyscalculia
   Dyscalculia is a learning disability that makes a person experience trouble in understanding the concepts of maths.
   Following are the symptoms of dyscalculia
• Trouble in counting
• Slow in mental arithmetic skills
• Weak in calculations
  
  
2. Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
   Auditory Processing Disorder is a learning disability that makes it difficult for a person to process what other people are saying.
   Following are the symptoms of APD
• Difficulty in noticing, comparing and distinguishing between distinct and separate sounds
• Difficulty in recalling what one has heard
• Difficulty in telling the difference between similar-sounding words

1. Visual Processing Disorder (VPD)
   Visual Processing Disorder is a disability that causes issues with the way the brain processes visual information.
   Following are the symptoms of VPD
• Trouble seeing the difference between similar objects, letters (confusing Y with V), or shapes
• Tendency to skip lines or read the same line over and over
• Difficulty identifying an object when only parts of it are showing

IS AUTISM A LEARNING DISABILITY?

It is a common misconception that autism is a type of learning disability but it is not one. For kids with autism, the main struggle involves social understanding, communication and repetitive routines or behaviors, including narrow and obsessive interests. These symptoms are not typical of kids with learning issues. 

CAN LEARNING DISABILITIES BE CURED?

The hard truth is that a person with a learning disability cannot be treated or cured, but that doesn't make them any less than people without disabilities. Learning disabilities can usually be diagnosed by the time your child is 7-8 years old. Early interventions can help your child to develop ways to cope with their disabilities. The right amount of training and support can increase a child’s self-esteem. Schools can teach dyslexic teenagers to read, write and spell by using specialised language instructions. 

Parents can also seek expert psychiatric help to teach their children skills and build on their strengths. Experts can compensate for a child’s weaknesses by finding out special education methods that could be tailored to the unique needs of each child with a learning disability. Medications can improve concentration problems and other conditions such as depression, anxiety and so on. 

LEARNING DISABILITIES - THE MASK OF THE GENIUS

It is a common misconception that people with learning disabilities are unintelligent, but the truth is that they are of average or above-average intelligence. As a matter of fact, some of the greatest minds in the world, including icons such as Walt Disney, Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison had learning disabilities. With the right support and intervention, any child can succeed. 

Our Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences is fully equipped to do various psychological assessments relating to children and adults, including Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment. Our clinical psychologists have extensive experience in the assessment and psychological management of intellectual disability, developmental disorders, emotional and behavioural problems in children. To book an appointment, call us at +91 9400332777 or visit our hospital at Chacka, NH Bypass, Thiruvananthapuram.

• tags