Learning disabilities are caused by a lag in processing certain information which in turn affects basic skills such as reading, writing and math. These disabilities also affect higher level skills like planning, organization, abstract reasoning, memory and attention.

However, it is important to note that learning disabilities are not intellectual disabilities and sometimes those with learning disabilities have been shown to have an above average IQ.  It is important to have a thorough understanding of different types of learning disabilities.

Let’s take a look at some common ones:

• Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): This disorder affects the way sound is processed by the brain. Individuals with APD often find it difficult to recognize the difference between sounds of different words. Also they find it difficult to pin-point from where the sounds come.
• Dysgraphia: This learning disability impacts a person’s handwriting as well as motor skills. The handwriting tends to be illegible accompanied with poor spacing, spatial planning and spelling. The disorder makes it difficult to think and write at the same time.
• Dyscalculia: Those with this disability have a difficult time understanding numbers and learning math facts. They struggle with comprehending math symbols, memorizing them, organizing numbers, counting, and telling the time.
• Dyslexia: This disability affects language processing skills, reading fluency, reading comprehension, writing, spelling, decoding and speech.
• Language Processing Disorder: This is a type of Auditory Processing Disorder that affects the brains interpretation of various sound groups from which words, sentences and stories are formed. It can affect both expressive and receptive language.
• Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities: The disorder is characterized by a high level of verbal skills but weak motor, visual-spatial (coordination) and social skills. It affects a person’s ability to interpret and understand various facial expressions and body language.
• ADHD: This disorder makes it difficult for an individuals to stay focused on a given task. He/she exhibits some behavioral issues and hyperactivity.
• Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit: In this, a person’s understanding of information that’s being seen is affected. It is also difficult for such individuals to draw or copy what they see. They miss subtle differences in shapes and letters, lose track of what they are reading, find it difficult to cut and hold pencils and have poor eye/hand coordination.
• Executive Functioning: Another form of learning disability is the inability to undertake executive functions like planning, organizing, remembering details, managing time etc.
• Dyspraxia: The disorder affects muscle control, movement, coordination, language, speech and learning. It usually exists with dyslexia, ADHD and dyscalculia.
• Memory: Memory is crucial for processing verbal and non-verbal information. Disabilities related to memory affect working memory, short-term and long-term memory.

We, at See-N-Read Reading Tools offer a variety of reading & learning tools. For more information, call at (630) 236 – 5592.