WEEK 3: LEARNING DISABILITIES Flashcards
Define learning disabilities
Academic achievement at a level less than expected for the individual’s intellectual potential
Unexpected failure of individual to acquire, retrieve & use information competently
Are disorders that affect a child’s ability to learn, think, and process information.
State the characteristics of learning disabilities
Learning disability is a descriptive diagnosis. It does not infer a particular etiology
Learning disabilities are neurologically-based processing problems
These processing problems can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing and/or math
They can also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time planning, abstract reasoning, long or short term memory and attention
It is important to realize that learning disabilities can affect an individual’s life beyond academics and can impact relationships with family, friends and in the workplace
What are learning disabilities often misinterpreted to as?
a lack of effort
reflection of weak intellect
disobedience
lack of respect
State 4 facts about learning disabilities
Approximately 6% of Botswana primary school population have learning disabilities
Most common learning disability is dyslexia: an unexpected difficulty in learning to read
Children with disabilities are at higher risk of abuse
You cannot correct a learning disability with glasses
State the areas of deficit in people with learning disabilities
Attention abilities
Memory skills
Language skills
Neuromotor skills :
Ability of the brain and nervous sysyem to control and coordinate movement
Executive function:
are the abilities in our brain that help us complete everyday tasks. These skills include planning, organization, time management, metacognition, working memory, self-control, attention, flexibility, and perseverance.
Visual-spatial ordering skills :ability to tell where objects are in space.
Temporal-sequential ordering skills : help us interpret, retain, or create information that is in a serial order
What is intellectual diability?
A static encephalopathy with multiple etiologies
a neurodevelopmental condition that develops in childhood.
It affects your capacity to learn and retain new information, and it also affects everyday behavior such as social skills and hygiene routines.
List the characteristics of intellectual disability
Limitations in intelligence (reasoning, learning, problem solving)
Limitations in adaptive skills
Onset before 18 years of age
What is the old term used for intellectual disability?
Old term = ‘Mental retardation’
≤ 5 years of age = “Global developmental delay” (since IQ testing less reliable in this age group)
Distinguish between intellectual disability and learning disability
*Intellectual disabilities affect a child’s ability to learn and function at levels considered typical for their age.
An IQ score of 70 or below may indicate an intellectual disability.
Examples of intellectual disabilities include Down syndrome and fetal alcohol syndrome.
*Learning disabilities affect a child’s ability to master specific skills, like reading, while overall intelligence levels remain unaffected.
Examples of learning disabilities include dyslexia and dysgraphia.
State the symptoms of IDs in children
difficulty understanding and following social rules and norms
difficulties with problem-solving
delays in sitting up, crawling, or walking
delays or difficulties with speech and language
trouble using tools like pencils or utensils
trouble interacting with others
naivety and gullibility, trouble understanding time and money, and difficulty performing basic tasks like dressing or playing games.
What are the symptoms of a learning disability?
trouble reading, spelling, or sounding out words
trouble writing clearly
difficulty with math calculations or word problems
trouble remembering things
trouble paying attention or focusing on schoolwork
trouble following directions
difficulty telling time
trouble staying organized at home or at school
List causes of Intellectual disability
genetic mutations or alterations of some kind (as in Rett syndrome)
chromosome abnormalities (like Down syndrome, or trisomy 21)
exposure while in utero to certain substances, like fetal alcohol syndrome
infections during pregnancy, like cytomegalovirus
issues during childbirth, like the cord around the neck
causing a lack of oxygen
traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Bacterial meningitis
preterm birth
State the learning disabilities associated variety of risk factors.
a family history of learning disabilities
exposure to alcohol or drugs while in the womb
poor nutrition
exposure to lead from water or paint
HIV infection
Very-low-birth-weight
ADHD :Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Poor social skills
Psych behavioral problems
What are some examples of intellectual disabilities disorders?
Down syndrome
fragile X syndrome
fetal alcohol syndrome
Rett syndrome
some disorders like phenylketonuria (PKU) can lead to an ID
Prader-Willi syndrome
What are some examples of learning disabilities?
dyscalculia: this impacts a person’s ability to understand numbers and learn math facts
dysgraphia: this affects someone’s handwriting ability and fine motor skills
dyslexia: this affects reading and language-based processing skills
nonverbal learning disabilities: this causes trouble interpreting nonverbal cues like facial expressions or body language
oral/written language disorder and specific reading
comprehension deficit: these impact someone’s ability to understand what they read or to understand or use spoken language
