Conditions - Learning Disabilities

Question 1

definition of SLD

Answer 1

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 states, learning disabilities are disorders in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may manifest in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations (Batshaw et al., 2007).

Question 2

DYSLEXIA

Answer 2

• Slow reading
• Difficulty decoding letters and words
• Trouble with spelling
• Poor reading comprehension

Question 3

DYSCALCULIA

Answer 3

• Difficulty understanding the concepts of place value & quantity
• Trouble with sequencing information or events
• Difficulty doing word and number problems

Question 4

DYSGRAPHIA

Answer 4

• Illegible printing and cursive writing
• Poor spatial planning on paper
• Inconsistent spacing between letters and words

Question 5

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA - READING DISORDER

Answer 5

Reading Disorder
A. Reading achievement, as measured by individually administered standardized tests of reading accuracy or comprehension, is substantially below that expected given the person’s chronological age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education.

B. The disturbance in Criterion A significantly interferes with academic achievement or activities of daily living that require reading skills.

C. If a sensory deficit is present, the reading difficulties are in excess of those usually associated with it.

Question 6

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA - MATHEMATICS DISORDER

Answer 6

Mathematics Disorder
A. Mathematical ability, as measured by individually administered standardized tests, is substantially below that expected given the person’s chronological age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education.

B. The disturbance in Criterion A significantly interferes with academic achievement or activities of daily living that require mathematical ability.

C. If a sensory deficit is present, the difficulties in mathematical ability are in excess of those usually associated with it.

       \*Common mathematical disorder: Dyscalculia

Question 7

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA - DISORDER OF WRITTEN EXPRESSION

Answer 7

Disorder of Written Expression
A. Writing skills, as measured by individually administered as measured by individually administered standardized tests, is substantially below that expected given the person’s chronological age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education.

B. The disturbance in Criterion A significantly interferes with academic achievement or activities of daily living that require the composition of written texts.

C. If a sensory deficit is present, the difficulties in writing skills are in excess of those usually associated with it.

      \*Common written expression disorder: Dysgraphia

Question 8

RELATED ISSUES

Answer 8

If left untreated, individuals with learning disabilities can develop other issues:

Emotional problems/ low self-esteem
Socialization difficulties
Behavior problems
Increased risk of dropping out of school before obtaining a high school diploma or GED equivalency
Difficulties with obtaining and or succeeding in a career

Question 9

OTHER LEARNING DISABILITIES

Answer 9

Visual Processing Disorder
Difficulty interpreting visual information

Auditory Processing Disorder
Trouble hearing differences between sounds

Dyspraxia
Difficulty with fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, balance, & manual dexterity