A learning disability is a disorder that affects the brain’s ability to understand receive, process, and utilize certain kinds of information.  According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), a learning disability is diagnosed when an individual’s achievement on individually administered, standardized tests in reading, mathematics, or written expression is substantially below that expected for age, schooling, and level of intelligence. 

Prevalence

According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, approximately 5% of children in public schools in the U.S. are classified as having specific learning disabilities and receive some kind of special education support.  These statistics do not include children in private schools or home-schooled children.

Diagnosing a Learning Disability

Although learning disabilities are present from a very young age, they are often not identified until early to middle elementary school, when academic tasks start to become more challenging. Typically, the process of diagnosing a learning disability involves an assessment in which cognitive and achievement tests are administered, and scores are compared with one another.  In most cases, a significant discrepancy between the cognitive scores and scores on one or more achievement tests suggests that a learning disability exists.  Feedback from parents and teachers is also a very important part of determining the presence of a learning disability.

Treatment

Treatment for learning disabilities depends on the severity of the disorder.  In some mild cases, the child is able to continue on a regular education track, with extra support from tutoring and/or a specialized learning center.  In more severe cases, special education is the intervention of choice.  Again, the degree of special education depends on the type and severity of the disorder.  For example, if there is a particular struggle in one academic area (e.g. math), the child might be pulled out for resource support in that area.  As with many other childhood disorders, early diagnosis and intervention of learning disabilities will increase a child’s chances for future success.  

Support for individual’s with learning disabilities is required by law, and  may extend beyond grade school.  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1997 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 were put in place to ensure that people of all ages with learning disabilities are protected against discrimination and have a right to different forms of accommodation and assistance in the classroom and in the workplace.