Intellectual Disorder/Learning Disability

What is it?

It's a "hidden" disability which usually is specific to learning challenages in school or other academic settings.

Cause

Not well understood and sometimes there is no apparent cause for a learning disability.

Incidence

CDC cites 16% in boys and 8% in girls having Learning Disorders (LD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Report 2003(ADHD)

Types

  • Reading/Dyslexia – challenges with accurate or fluent word recognition, word decoding, reading rate, reading comprehension
  • Writing/Dysgraphia – Impairments in handwriting, spelling, organization of ideas and composition
  • Math/Dyscalculia – Difficulty with learning math concepts, memorizing math facts, difficulty organizing numbers and understanding how problems are organized on a page.

How its diagnosed

  • Appropriately trained professionals via specific clinical criteria.

Management

May not need all types of therapy through out life:

  • Speech Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy (OT)
  • Special Education – Some are able to attend a regular or mainstream school and some cases even finish tertiary education.

Return to Disabilities