What are Learning Disabilities? A Learning disability is a common term that describes specific kinds of learning problem. Learning disabilities can cause a person to have trouble learning and using certain skills. The skills usually awffected are: reading, writing, listening, speaking, reasoning, and doing math. Learning disabilities (LD) change from person to person. One person with LD may not have the same kind of learning problems than another person with LD.

Researchers think that learning disabilities are caused by differences in how a person's brain works and how it processes information. Children with learning disabilities usually have average or above intelligence. Their brains simply process differently.

The definition of "learning disability" comes from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA is the federal law that guides how schools supply special education and associated services to children with disabilities.

There is no "cure" for learning disabilities. They are life-long. On the other hand, children with LD can be hard workers and can be taught ways around the learning disability. With the right help, children with LD can be successful.

Types Of Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia: Individuals with this type of learning disability have difficulty processing language, and often struggle with reading, writing, and spelling. An example of this is that dyslexic individuals may see letters or words spelled out backwards.

Dyscalculia: Individuals with this learning disability have difficulty in math skills. Symptoms include: remembering math facts, concepts of time & money. Individuals who have this type of LD have difficulty learning to count by 2s, 3s, 4s.

Dysgraphia: Individuals with this type of learning disability have a difficulty with written expression. They with this type of LD show poor handwriting, spelling, and composition. These individuals also may have illegible handwriting, and difficulty in organizing ideas.

Dyspraxia: Individuals with this type of learning disability show a difficulty in fine motor skills, which shows a trouble with scissors, buttons, drawing.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD): Individuals with this LD have difficulty in concentration & focus, and also show symptoms of over-activity, distractibility & impulsivity, and individuals often have trouble sitting still, and lose interest in things quickly.

Clearinghouse on Disability Information (202) 205-8241
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education
330 C Street, SW Mary E. Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2524

Disability Direct
Provides one-stop online access to resources, services, and information available throughout the federal government to Americans with disabilities, their families, employers and service providers; also promotes awareness of disability issues to the general public.

Learning Disabilities Online
A rich source of information about learning disabilities; chat rooms and books for consumers, educators, counselors and students.

National Center for Learning Disabilities (212) 545-7510 (212) 545-9665 FAX
381 Park Avenue South Suite 1401, New York, NY 10016

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (800) 695-0285
Academy for Educational Development
P.O. Box 1492, Washington, DC 20013-1492
A national information and referral center; provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues to families, educators and other professionals, with a special focus on children and youth (birth to age 22).

National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) (202) 233-2025 (800) 228-8813 Literacy Hotline
1775 I Street, NW, Suite 730, Washington, DC 20006
Works to build and strengthen a comprehensive, unified system for literacy in the U.S.

Roads to Learning
Run by the American Library Association, this site works to raise public awareness about learning disabilities.

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