Over 40% of students receiving special education services have a specific learning disability. Millions of children and adults live with a type of learning disability. Given the number of people impacted by it, knowing some basic information can help erase the negative stigma these individuals face in their daily lives.
The term specific learning disabilities (SLD) is considered an umbrella term because it includes several different types of disabilities in learning. There are many aspects to learning, but this group of disorders impacts a student’s ability to receive, process, recall, or even effectively communicate information. Not every student with a learning disability is unable to manipulate information in all four ways. For example, a student may be able to receive information well, but struggle to communicate what he knows. Some simply struggle to take information received and manipulate it, apply it, or process it further.
Often a student is able learn well in one area, but not another. For this reason, there are different types or subsets within the learning disability category. The most common specific learning disability is in the area of reading, which is also called dyslexia. Two other commonly known specific learning disabilities are writing (dysgraphia) and mathematics (dyscalculia). Most also consider spelling a learning disability category.
A student with a learning disability often struggles in a variety of situations. They tend to have issues with memorization, planning, time management, prioritizing, or reasoning. However, it is important to recognize that students with learning disabilities often have average or above average intelligence. Therefore, with the right type and amount of support it is common for individuals to develop the ability to live with the disability and still achieve their desired career choice or occupation. Lots of colleges will make accommodations and many are able to enter the work force with well establish skills, coping strategies, and techniques to be successful at whatever career path they choose.
Comments