TOPIC: Learning disabilities and
how they affect growth and
development
What is learning disability?
Learning disabilities are disorders that affect the ability to understand, or use spoken or written language, do
mathematical calculations, coordinate movements, or direct attention.
Although learning disabilities occur in very young children, the disorders are usually not recognized until the
child reaches school age.
Learning disabilities can be lifelong conditions. In some people, several overlapping learning disabilities may be
apparent. Other people may have a single, isolated learning problem that has little impact on their lives.
Given the "difficulty learning in a typical manner", this does not exclude the ability to learn in a different
manner.
Therefore, some people can be more accurately described as having a "learning difference", thus avoiding any
misconception of being disabled with a lack of ability to learn and possible negative stereotyping
Learning disabilities should not be confused with
learning problems which are primarily the result of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Visual
Hearing
Motor handicaps of
Intellectual disability
Emotional disturbance
Environmental, cultural or economic disadvantages.
• A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things throughout
their life.
• A learning disability is different for everyone. No two people are the same.
A person with a learning disability
might have some difficulty:
1
understanding
complicated
information
2
learning some
skills
3
looking after
themselves or
living alone
What having a learning disability can
mean
• A learning disability is different
for everyone. Lots of people who
have a learning disability can
work, have relationships, live
alone and get qualifications.
• Other people might need more
support throughout their life.
• We do not always know why a person has a learning disability.
Sometimes it is because a person's brain development is affected,
either before they are born, during their birth or in early
childhood.
• This can be caused by things such as:
What causes a
learning
disability?

the mother becoming ill in pregnancy

problems during the birth that stop enough oxygen getting to
the brain
the unborn baby having some genes passed on from its
parents that make having a learning disability more likely

illness, such as meningitis, or injury in early childhood
• There are some health conditions where you may be more
likely to have a learning disability.

• For example, everyone with Down's syndrome has some level
of learning disability, and so do many people with cerebral palsy.
• Some people with epilepsy also have a learning disability and
so do many autistic people.
Profound
and multiple
learning
disability
(PMLD)
• A profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD) is when a
person has a severe learning disability and other disabilities that
significantly affect their ability to communicate and be independent.
• Someone with a profound and multiple learning disability might
have difficulties seeing, hearing, speaking and moving. They may have
complicated health and social care needs due to these or other
conditions.
• People with a profound and multiple learning disability need support
to help them with some areas of their life, such as eating, washing or
personal care.
• Lots of people with a profound and multiple learning disability can
still be involved in decisions about themselves, do things they enjoy and
be independent.
• Some people who struggle with talking might be able to use other
ways of communication, like sign language, Signalong, Makaton, or
digital systems like picture exchange communication systems (PECS).
TYPES OF LEARNING
DISABILITIES
DISCALCULIA
• A specific learning
disability that affects a
person’s ability to
understand numbers
and learn math facts.
DYSGRAPHIA
• A specific learning disability that
affects reading and related languagebased processing skills.
DISLEXIA
A specific learning disability that affects reading and related language-based processing skills.
Dislexia Before
school
Signs that a young child may be at risk of dyslexia
include:
• Late talking
• Learning new words slowly
• Problems forming words correctly, such as
reversing sounds in words or confusing words
that sound alike
• Problems remembering or naming letters,
numbers and colors
• Difficulty learning nursery rhymes or playing
rhyming games
•
Dislexia: School Age
•
Reading well below the expected level for age
•
Problem processing and understanding what is heard
•
Difficulty finding the right word or forming answers to questions
•
Problems remembering the sequence of things
•
Difficulty spotting similarities and differences in letters and words
•
Inability to sound out the pronunciation of an unfamiliar word
•
Difficulty spelling
•
Spending long-time completing tasks involving reading or
writing and avoiding them altogether
Dyslexia: Teens and adults
Difficulty reading, including reading aloud
Slow and labor-intensive reading and writing
Problem in spelling
Avoiding activities that involve reading
Mispronouncing names or words, or problems retrieving words
Trouble understanding jokes or expressions that have a meaning not easily understood from the
specific words (idioms), such as "piece of cake" meaning "easy"
Spending an unusually long-time completing tasks that involve reading or writing
Difficulty summarizing a story
Trouble learning a foreign language
Difficulty memorizing
Causes and Risk factors of
Dyslexia
Causes
• Dyslexia tends to run in families. It appears to be
linked to certain genes that affect how the brain
processes reading and language, as well as risk
factors in the environment.
Risk factors
• Dyslexia risk factors include:
• A family history of dyslexia or other learning
disabilities
• Premature birth or low birth weight
• Exposure during pregnancy to nicotine, drugs,
alcohol or infection that may alter brain
development in the fetus
• Individual differences in the parts of the brain that
enable reading
Dyslexia can lead to several
problems, including
•
Trouble learning.
•
Social problems.
•
Problems as adults.
Children who have dyslexia are at
increased risk of having attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder and vice
versa. ADHD can cause difficulty
sustaining attention as well as
hyperactivity and impulsive behavior,
which can make dyslexia harder to treat.
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities
• Has trouble interpreting nonverbal
cues like facial expressions or body
language and may have poor
coordination
ORAL/ WRITTEN
LANGUAGE
DISORDER &
SPECIFIC READING
COMPREHENSION
DEFICIT
ADHD
• A disorder that includes difficulty
staying focused and paying attention,
controlling behavior and hyperactivity
DYSPRAXIA
• A disorder which causes problems with
movement and coordination, language and
speech.
EXECUTIVE
FUNCTIONING
• Affects, planning,
organization,
strategizing, attention
to details and managing
time and space
• Eczema.
OTHER
CONDITIONS
THAT COULD
AFFECT
LEARNING AND
DEVELOPMENT
Practioners will be required to put cream on to the child
with eczema, they should also be weary not to draw
attention to the child, as this may make them feel
uncomfortable and different.
• Blind
The setting should be provided with brail and extra
guidance materials for children who are blind. The
practioners should also try to keep the classroom tidy and
hazard free as this will reduce the risk of injuries. Down
syndrome. Settings should offer one to one support to
children with Down syndrome and other disabilities, they
should use gestures and signs and other forms
of communication in order to include these children in
daily activities so they aren’t left to feel left out or different
from other children.
Cont…
ADHD
• Try to use short and quick explanations of work and instructions.
• Keep the child interested by engaging them in many activities.
Medication
• Given any medication they require on time as this could affect their behavior and may put them or the other
children at risk of injury or harm.
Asthma
• Be aware of any children with asthma and their inhalers must be kept with the child at all times.
• Respect that the child had asthma and not push them to do too much physical activity as they will bring on an
asthma attack.
Dyspraxia
• Affects coordination, the setting should be child proofed.
• All hazards should be removed from the room.
• Physiotherapist to improve their condition.
Interventions for Learning
Disorders
• The most common treatment for learning disabilities is special education.
• Hire specially trained educators.
• Perform a diagnostic educational evaluation assessing the child's academic and
intellectual potential and level of academic performance.
• Teach learning skills by building on the child's abilities and strengths while
correcting and compensating for disabilities and weaknesses.
• Other professionals such as speech and language therapists also may be involved.
• Some medications may be effective in helping the child learn by enhancing attention
and concentration.
• Psychological therapies may also be used.
Interventions for Learning Disorders
Inclusion Mainstreaming or Full/Partial.
• This is a system in which a handicapped youngster is educated alongside her nonhandicapped peers to the greatest
extent possible.
• Attention is required to meet the child's needs.
• Modifications in the curriculum.
• The manner in which subjects are taught, homework assignments, and overall expectations.
• Throughout this process it is essential that the child's strengths, including extracurricular activities, are nurtured and
maintained.
"Bypass" Interventions.
• This is a method in which weaknesses are circumvented or bypassed.
• A child with writing problems might use a word processor to write reports.
• Use of oral expressive skills, rather than written ones, and take tests orally.
Home-Based Support.
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
Modify the
environment or
the emotional
climate.
Keep expectations
realistic, and
generally be
supportive of your
child.
Develop
homework
routines.
Be available for
help, maintain
quiet in the house
during homework
hours.
Again, nurture and
maintain other
avenues of success
and gratification.
Use of
professionals to
home school.
Dont overload or
deprive of time to
pursue interests
and activities
unrelated to
school.
Other Interventions.
Psychological Counselling
• If your youngster is feeling depressed, anxious, or discouraged, psychological counseling may be appropriate.
• Family counseling is very helpful so family members can better understand each other's feelings and needs,
reassign roles and responsibilities, and diminish intense sibling rivalry.
Medication
• In case of serious attention problems, or hyperactive-impulsive tendencies, to reduce distractibility and
increases attention span.
Controversial Treatments.
• There are many unproven treatments for learning problems, including
• Megavitamins.
• Patterning exercises.
• Eye exercises.
• Special glasses.
• Diets that eliminate certain types of foods or additives.
HOW LEARNING DISABILITIES
AFFECTS DEVELOPMENT
• Academic Difficulties
• Children and adults with a learning disability may
struggle in all areas of school.
• Language processing disabilities can make reading
and writing slow and challenging.
• Memory issues can result in a student having to
reread a piece of text or listen to spoken
instructions many times.
• These students also may need more time to
process information before answering questions
or replying when spoken to, which can result in
difficulties contributing to classroom or group
discussions.
• Attention deficit disorder may also find it difficult
to maintain focus, and paying attention is critical
to learning.
• Organization and planning can also be impaired,
resulting in difficulty keeping track of assignments
or supplies and submitting work on time.
Social and Employment Difficulties
Individuals with a learning disability or ADD may have difficulty maintaining
friendships, relationships or employment, as they may find organization,
impulse control, planning and reading social cues to be a challenge.
It’s important for everyone to understand their areas of strength and
weaknesses, so they can better explain their needs to others in order to
ensure personal and social success.
PHYSICAL AND HEALTH ISSUES
People with a learning disability often have poorer physical and mental
health than other people.
This does not need to be the case.
References
• Dyslexia. Merck Manual Professional Version.
http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional
/pediatrics/learning-and-developmentaldisorders/dyslexia. Accessed June 8, 2017.
• An explanation of how disability may affect
development. (2017, Jun 06). Retrieved
fromhttps://phdessay.com/explanationdisability-may-affect-development/
• WIKIPEDIA
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