Learning disabilities

Learning disability is a general term that refers to a “heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical abilities. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual, presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction and may occur across life span. Problems of social regulatory behaviors, social perception, and social interaction may exist in learning disabilities but do not by themselves constitute a learning disability. Although learning disabilities may occur, concomitantly with other handicapping conditions (for example, sensory impairment, mental retardation, serious emotional disturbance) or with extrinsic influences (such as cultural differences, insufficient or inappropriate instruction), they are not the result of those conditions or influence”. (National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities, 1988).

The individuals with learning disabilities have average or above average intelligence. The main diagnosis of learning disabilities is the discrepency between the achievement and the IQ of an individual. The individuals are given intelligence tests to measure their IQ and achievemnt tests to measure their performance with respect to their academic level. A difference in the scores which is one standard deviation or more is used to confirm the condition.
Most often learning disabilities are identified at a very early stage but sometimes, they can be underidentified too. Moreover there isn't a cure for learning disability. It is a life long condition. Hence it is necessary to train the person in skills which could help them in coping up with their disability.
Dyslexia refers to reading difficulties while Dysgraphia to writing difficulties and Dyscalculia to numerical difficulties. Comorbidity ( the combination of more than one disability) is often found in many individuals.

When diagonised with a learnign disability , the individual becomes eligible for an IEP or an Individualized Educational Plan wherein goals are set based on his level of functioning and an individualised curriculum is designed to help the student achieve his goals.
In fact every student with disability becomes eligible for an IEP under the IDEA law. This Law is exclusive to the United States. However, many countries follow similar educational plans to customize the programs as per the needs of the students who need extra help.