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New to Learning Disabilities
If you’re new to the complex issue that is Learning Disabilities (LD), this is the right place to start.
There is a lot of misunderstanding in our communities about LD. People with LD are sometimes referred to as “the invisibly disabled” because there are rarely any outward signs that an individual has an LD. Some very high profile people have been diagnosed with LD including:
Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Cruise, Henry Winkler, Danny Glover, Walt Disney, John Lennon, Robin Williams and Steve McQueen
It is thought that as much as one in ten people is affected by some form of LD. “Learning Disabilities” refer to a number of disorders which may affect the way someone acquires, organizes, retains and understands information. These challenges do not mean that a learning disabled person is “slow” or “intellectually challenged”. Far from it. LD individuals have higher IQs on average than people without learning disabilities.
LDs range in severity and may have a negative impact on someone’s ability to listen, speak, read, write or do math. LDs may also manifest themselves as problems with organization and social skills. Learning disabilities are lifelong and may express themselves differently in an individual as they grow older or go through life changes.
Learning disabilities are caused by genetic and/or neurobiological factors or injury that alters the brain’s function. The challenges posed by learning disabilities can be overcome if individuals with LDs identify their disability early and welcome services and accommodations that can be made to help them in school, at work or in relationships.
Whether you are a parent of a child with a learning disability or someone who has a Learning Disability yourself, this site has a lot of valuable information for you. Please take the time to explore it.