Overview
If a kid can’t read, we used to call them “lazy” or “stupid.” Now we know their brain is just wired differently. Learning Disabilities (LD) are not about intelligence; they are about processing. It’s like having a supercomputer with a faulty keyboard. The data is there, but you can’t get it in or out easily.
Core Idea
The core idea is The Discrepancy. A learning disability is when there is a gap between a child’s potential (IQ) and their achievement (Grades). If a smart kid is failing, look for an LD.
Formal Definition
Neurologically-based processing problems that interfere with learning basic skills. Common Types: Dyslexia (Reading), Dysgraphia (Writing), Dyscalculia (Math).
Intuition
- The Operating System:
- Typical Brain: Windows.
- LD Brain: Linux. It’s powerful, but it doesn’t run the standard software (School) without some tweaking.
- Glasses: We give glasses to kids with bad eyes. We give “Accommodations” (extra time, audiobooks) to kids with LDs. It’s not cheating; it’s leveling the playing field.
Examples
- Dyslexia: The most common. It’s not seeing letters backwards; it’s trouble matching sounds to letters. Einstein and Richard Branson are dyslexic.
- ADHD: Often grouped with LDs. Trouble with Executive Function (focus, organization).
Common Misconceptions
- They grow out of it: No. It is lifelong. You just learn coping strategies.
- It’s caused by bad parenting: No. It is genetic and neurological.
Related Concepts
- Neurodiversity: The movement to view LDs as “differences” rather than “deficits.”
- Response to Intervention (RTI): The modern way schools identify LDs. Instead of waiting for the kid to fail, they intervene early and see if it helps.
Applications
- Assistive Technology: Text-to-speech software has revolutionized life for dyslexics.
Criticism / Limitations
- Overdiagnosis: Are we labeling normal childhood behavior (wiggling, daydreaming) as a disability just to sell drugs or get extra time on tests?
Further Reading
- Shaywitz, Sally. Overcoming Dyslexia.