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Some Types of Learning Disorders
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The First Step is Understanding

ADULTS AND CHILDREN - LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

Understanding Learning Disorders

Learning disorders can be identified through assessment. The key is to identify the specific cognitive weaknesses causing the “disorder” and re-establish proper  cognitive function.

Learning disorders may affect adults or children. For yourself or the the parent of a child, the first step is to understand the types of learning disorders that may be affecting your child. 

Learning Disorders (LD) is an umbrella terms for neurological disorders that affect the brain's ability for receiving, processing, storing, and responding to information.  This may limit the ability of a person to learn in a specific area. Learning disorders can make it difficult to acquire certain academic and social skills.  Many areas of learning can be impacted such as reading, math, spelling, listening, and expression - both verbally and written.  

If you suspect learning difficulties,
the sooner you seek help,
the sooner you will have the opportunity to
move forward to achieve realizing one’s full potential.

Everyone has differences in learning styles, but people with learning disorders have severe and persistent problems with learning.  People with learning disorders are not only intelligent, but may be gifted as well.  People with a learning disorder may see, hear or understand things differently.  There is a wide variation in types of learning disorders.  Often someone with a learning disorder will have more than one learning disorder.

Some Possible Initial Signs of Learning Disorders for Young Children

• ​The first sign may be developmental delays.
• Family history of learning disorders.
• Parental prenatal risk factors.
• Low birth weight.
• Parental history of any prior psychiatric illness. 
• Premature (less than 35 weeks).
• Low Apgar score (Apgar score was 7 or less at 5 minutes).  

What is an Apgar Score?

Apgar stands for (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration).  Dr. Virginia Apgar was an anesthesiologist concerned with the vital signs of babies immediately following birth and how they may have been affected by anesthetics used for child birth.  The resulting score can range from zero to 10.  The test is generally repeated at one and five minutes after birth and may be repeated as necessary.  It has been suggested that there may be a correlation proportionately between the Apgar Score and mental capacity.  Scores are often lower with a high-risk pregnancy, cesarean section birth, premature babies and complicated delivery and birth.

By School Age There May Be Difficulty with . . .

Reading Disability Checklist

•  Difficulty with letter and word recognition
•  Difficulty understanding words and ideas
•  Difficulty with general vocabulary skills
•  Difficulty remembering and recognizing “sight words”
•  Guesses at sounding out words rather than using analysis
•  Loses place frequently
•  Slow reading- oral reading deteriorates progressively due to declining ability to        retrieve word sounds quickly from memory
•  Difficulty differentiating sounds in words
•  Poor comprehension of main ideas and themes
•  Difficulty understanding the relationship between sounds, letters and words   
•     (issues with phonological  processing, i.e., the manipulation of sounds)
•  Difficulty comprehending what has been read
•  Poor reading fluency
•  Poor at symbol decoding
•  Confusing letters such as (ex. b, d, q, p)
•  Confuses similar looking words
•  Inserts or omits words or out of sequence
•  Changing order (i.e.,  pronouncing words such as “psghetti” rather than

        “spaghetti” or “alunimum” rather than “aluminum”)

•  Perceptual Disorders sometimes Referred to as Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome 

        (Difficulty with Seeing Written Words on a Page)     

Perceptual Disorders

Sometimes referred to as Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome
 
(Difficulty with Seeing Written Words on Page)
 
Sees letters or words as:

• Blurry

• Moving
• Spinning
• Flashing
• Tunneling
• Glare on page or not sufficient contrast of letters on page
• Words move on page
• Unable to track words with the eyes
• Eyes do not converge easily or well - eye strain

• Peripheral vision problems

 

PERCEPTUAL DISORDER - Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome

PERCEPTUAL DISORDER - Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome

Some Types of Learning Disorders – General Processing Issues

Some types of learning disabilities are categorized by the cognitive processing problem. This means your child may have issues with one of the following: 

Attention – The ability to stay on task in a sustained, selective, or divided way.

Working Memory – The ability to retain and process information for short time periods.

Processing Speed – The rate at which the brain handles information.

Long-Term Memory – The ability to both store and recall information for later use.

Visual Processing – The ability to perceive, analyze, and think in visual images.

Auditory Processing – The ability to perceive and conceptualize what is heard.

Logic and Reasoning – The ability to reason, prioritize, and plan.

If there are significant dysfunctions in any of these seven cognitive processes, then your child probably has some type of learning disorder. For instance, if “working memory” is deficient, your child may have a problem remembering instructions.

​ If “auditory processing” is deficient, your child may have difficulty with reading and spelling. 

If “visual processing” is poor, your child may experience issues with reading maps, word math problems, and comprehension. ​​

​If “logic and reasoning” are weak, difficulties may arise in problem solving, working with abstractions, or interpreting information. ​

If the issue is poor “long-term memory,” it may be difficult for your child to recall dates, names, and facts on tests. Of course, some children may experience problems in more than one process category. 

Of course, some children may experience problems in more than one processing category. ​

Some Types of Learning Disorders – Specific Learning Disorders

In addition to the cognitive processing categories, some types of learning disorders are more specifically defined by education-based labels such as reading, writing, language, and math. 

These more specified types of learning disorders are categorized as follows:

​

​Dyslexia – A reading disorder (the student has trouble reading written words fluently, out loud).

Dysgraphia – A writing disorder (the student has difficulty with forming letters and legibility).

Dyscalculia – A math disorder (the student struggles with math problems and concepts).

Dyspraxia – A motor coordination disorder (also known as Sensory Integration Disorder).

Dysphasia – A language disorder (the student has difficulty with reading comprehension).

Aphasia – A language disorder (the student has difficulty understanding spoken language).

Central Auditory Processing Disorder – A sensory disorder related to processing sounds.

Visual Processing Disorder – A sensory disorder related to processing images.
​
Non-Verbal Learning Disorder – A visual-spatial disorder related to body control. 

The Next Step is a Professional Assessment

The great news for you and your child is that learning disorders can be helped beginning with a professional assessment to understand which parts of the brain are functioning well and which parts need to be addressed.  The assessment also serves as a benchmark for comparison later. 

People with learning disabilities may have trouble in school, at home, and on the job.
 
There may be additional risks and consequences for adults:
​

• Acceleration of disabilities
  
• Difficulty obtaining or keeping employment
  
• Negative economic impact-trouble handling money (budgeting)
  
• Adult behavioral problems
  
• Adult literacy problems
  
• Adult social adjustment problems-problems with relationships
• Low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression

Here is Great News for You

Neurological conditions involving imbalances in brain function can affect learning. Brain And Body Balance addresses these imbalances by re-establishing and maintaining the precision and synchronization of the brain.

The results have been tremendous and affect the person, their family, and all of their relationships.  We encourage you to read what people are saying about our program and how the Brain And Body Balance Technique has been Life-Changing!

The benefits of the Brain And Body Power Balance Program
are not confined to those who suffer from learning disorders,
but also for anyone wanting to achieve their full potential.
​

R E A D Y    F O R    A    C O N S U L T A T I O N  ?

636.227.2222

CLICK HERE TO GET A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT