Learning Disabilities: The Four Major Types & Common Signs
Author: Dr. Ashley Houchin
Have you ever wondered if you or your child have dyslexia? Many people have wondered if they have a learning disability, but are often unsure of the signs that an evaluation is needed. Identifying a learning disability is key in helping the individual identify more useful strategies for learning. Being taught in ways that are counter to your preference for learning can create barriers, making learning extremely difficult.
Individuals with learning disabilities all have the common struggle to receive, process, recall, and then communicate information.
Specific Learning Disability is the formal term used to diagnose one of four major learning disabilities. Below is a breakdown of the four major learning disabilities and common signs/symptoms that tell you an evaluation is needed:
1) Reading
Also known as, dyslexia, an LD in reading is a struggle with auditory processing. This means that the individual may struggle with the speed and accuracy of verbal information. For example, a person may read in a way that is inaccurate, slow, and effortful.
2) Writing
Also known as, dysgraphia, writing LD is a difficulty with visual processing. A person with this form of LD may struggle to organize and plan their writing, making it difficult to read once written.
3) Spelling
Difficulties with spelling appear in a person’s use of phonetics. A person with spelling LD may struggle to implement the rules of phonetics when sounding out words, or may struggle to remember exception words when spelling.
4) Math
Dyscalculia is the formal name for an LD in math. Math LD struggles are demonstrated in a person’s use of fluid and flexible problem solving. These individuals may struggle with measurement, counting, patterns, or the rules of mathematics.
Being diagnosed with a learning disability does not mean that you “cannot learn,” it simply means that you learn differently.
For example, a student who struggles with a reading LD may not be able to follow a teacher who is only writing information on the board without verbalizing the information being presented. If the teacher were to verbalize the information as well as write it, the student would be able to learn the material with far less struggle and effort. Schools can implement accommodations to the learning environment to help students with learning disabilities and support their continued growth.
It is important to note that learning disabilities are not the result of poor vision or hearing, and they are not the same as autism, intellectual disability, or an emotional disturbance. Additionally, learning disabilities are not the result of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantages.
Finally, it’s important to consider the social-emotional impact of an LD. Often individuals with LD misuse words in their speaking or find nonverbal cues difficult to navigate. These miss-steps can impact an individual’s self-confidence as they may be worried about reading out loud in school or completing math work on the board in class.
