Learning disabilities are as varied as the people who live with them. Individuals with learning disabilities have difficulty with processing information. They may see, hear and understand things differently than other people. Learning disabilities can interfere with school, work and relationships.
Each person’s learning disability can be different and each person may have difficulties in different areas. Ldonline lists several common learning disabilities:
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
- Auditory and Visual Processing Disorders
- Nonverbal Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is the most common and well known learning disability. It interferes with a person’s ability to read. People with dyslexia have the most problems with phonological processing as well as rapid visual-verbal processing. For those struggling with dyslexia, it is also common for them to have problems with spelling and writing as well as reading. They may have difficulties sounding out and pronouncing words correctly.
Students with dyslexia often score lower on reading tests and may read at a lower level than their chronological grade, even though their intelligence is not impacted. Dyslexia can be mild to severe. The more severe cases may require special education and the mild cases may not require any special services.
Some of the areas people with dyslexia may have problems are:
- Reading
- Reading fluency
- Spelling
- Writing
- Difficulty expressing themselves orally
- Difficulty understanding the spoken word
Although dyslexia is a life long problem, people with dyslexia can learn to read and write well. Early detection and intervention can improve reading skills. Educational professionals trained in teaching children with dyslexia use a multi-sensory and structured approach to teaching reading.
Some of the modifications and accommodations that can be included in the classroom to help students with dyslexia include:
- Extra time to complete tasks or tests
- Notes printed out for students
- Homework or classroom assignments modified to make it easier
- Giving oral or taped tests rather than written tests
- Having books available on tape as well as written
- Using computer programs for reading and writing