Learning Difficulties:

We focus on the learning difficulties associated with Learning Disabilities. The following description is taken from a pamphlet by Cheri Warner.

What is a Learning Disability? A person with a learning disability has difficulty taking in, remembering, or expressing information.
 For a person with a learning disability, there is a breakdown somewhere in these steps. It's like having a short circuit in the central nervous system. Learning or recalling information can become an overwhelming task.
 A Learning Disabled person usually has trouble with at least one of the following:
  • understanding what is read 
  • understanding mathematical concepts 
  • listening 
  • retaining information 
  • written expression 
  • oral expression 
  These learning problems are not the result of:
  • poor vision 
  • poor hearing 
  • mental retardation 
  • physical handicaps 
  • emotional disturbance 
  • cultural disadvantage 
 Bright Spots: Most learning disabled people are talented in some things, like arts, sports, or science, but fail miserably in one or two areas - most often reading.

The causes of learning disabilities are still not certain. Some people come from families in which other members have a learning disability, so it might be hereditary. In others, it may be a result of an injury to the nervous system, perhaps before birth or due to oxygen deprivation at birth. Others report high fevers as infants, a concussion, or head injury. For many, there does not appear to be any particular cause.

  Some Characteristics of a Learning Disability:
  • difficulty reading, writing, spelling, and/or using mathematical concepts in contrast with average to superior skills in other areas. 
  • poor handwriting 
  • trouble listening to a lecture and taking notes 
  • easily distracted by noise or visual stimulation - unable to pay attention 
  • trouble understanding and following directions 
  • confuses/reverses some letters ('b' and 'd', etc.) or words ('was' and 'saw', etc.) and numbers ('41' to '14) 
  • omits or adds words when reading 
  • repeatedly forgets things, loses things 
  • appears clumsy and poorly coordinated 
  • confuses left and right, gets lost 
  • often late for class, cannot sense time 
  • misinterprets subtleties in language - tone of voice - sarcasm 

To see some of the ways The Learning Incentive can help, explore this Web Site!

Source: Warner, Cheri. Understanding your Learning Disability Newark, Ohio, The Ohio State University, 1988.