Learning disability refers to a neurological condition that interferes with a person’s ability to collect process, accumulate and recover information. Individuals with this condition generally exhibit average or above-average intelligence. A learning disability can affect one’s ability to read, write, speak, or compute math, and impede socialization skills. They can also interfere with higher-level skills such as temporal planning, organization, long or short-term memory, abstract reasoning, and attention. Learning Disability can impact relationships with family, friends, and even in the workplace.
Some causes of neurological impairments include:
Heredity and genetics:
Learning disability often runs in family. There is a chance for children to have LD if parents or relatives with similar condition are there in family. Some children have spontaneous mutation which can cause developmental disorders including Learning disability. According to McRae Jeremy (2012), about one in three hundred children has such spontaneous mutations, which is again associated with learning and communication difficulties in children.
Problems during pregnancy and birth:
Learning disabilities can result from issues in the neonatal brain, poor health or injury, exposure to alcohol or drugs, reduced birth weight, oxygen deficiency, or by premature or prolonged labor.
Accidents after birth:
A learning disability may also be caused by head injuries, deficiency disease, or by noxious exposure (such as significant metals or pesticides). The difficulties with reading, scripting, and/or arithmetic are recognizable problems during the school years, henceforth the condition is most often been diagnosed during that time. Although, some individuals with this condition may never receive an assessment and will never know why they have problems with academics and why they may be having problems in their career or in familial relationships and with friends.
Learning disability shouldn’t be confused with learning issues that are primarily the results of visual, hearing, or motor handicaps; mental retardation; emotional disturbances; or environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantages.
Generally speaking, people with Learning disability are of average or above-average intelligence. There typically seems to be a niche between the individual’s potential and actual action. This is why Learning disability is referred to as “hidden disabilities”. The person appears utterly “normal” and looks to be terribly bright and intelligent person nevertheless is also unable to demonstrate the ability level expected from somebody of the same age. There are even some conditions that are related to Learning disability. One of these conditions is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder includes difficulties in sustained and focused attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity. Although Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is not considered as Learning disability, researches indicate that 30 to 50 percent of children with ADHD may also exhibit learning difficulties and that this condition makes learning extremely challenging.
Another condition that is related to Learning disability is Dyspraxia. Dyspraxia could be a disorder that’s characterized by difficulties in muscle control, causes issues with movement and coordination, language, and speech, and might have an effect on learning. though not a disorder, dyspraxia usually exists together with learning disorder, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The signs and symptoms of Dyspraxia include poor balance, may appear clumsy, and may frequently stumble. Shows difficulty with motor planning. Demonstrate inability to coordinate both sides of the body. Has poor eye-hand coordination. Exhibits weakness in the ability to organize self and belongings. Shows possible sensitivity to touch. May be distressed by loud noises or constant noises just like the ticking of a clock or somebody sounding a pencil. Could break things or select toys that don’t need delicate manipulation. Has problems with fine motor tasks like coloring between the lines, putt puzzles along, cutting accurately, or pasting showing neatness. Irritated by abrasive, rough, tight, or heavy clothing.