Learning disability: An unpopular threat to learning

Mercedes Ruehl’s famous observation that we have the tendency to condemn what we don’t understand explains why learning disability receives scanty, if not without support and acceptance, for it being a common cause to one’s problem with learning. It is not surprising as the term learning disability is often associated with being slow and even insanity. This false association is of course, the result of lack of understanding on the matter. I felt the need to introduce learning disability as it is and not as what we often think it is to correct the misnomer that actually produces more dangerous effects as it appears, as it discourages persons with learning disability to deny and hide it instead of confronting and developing the cause of their learning difficulty. Learning disability is a factor that affects learning that is not embarrassing at all and should be identified and accepted to be addressed for better learning experience. It is a curable hindrance which needs attention and this threat to learning is best conquered by first getting to know more about it. Allow me to provide a little information to this learning’s unpopular contender.

A learning disability, or specific developmental disorder, is a disorder that inhibits or interferes with the skills of learning. (Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, 2016) It is a neurologically-based processing problem. This processing problem can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing and/ or math. They can also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time planning, abstract reasoning, long or short term memory and attention. ( Learning Disabilities Association of America, 2016) Kemp’s team asserts that a learning disability is not a problem with intelligence or motivation. This assertion is affirmed by understanding special education. org which also asserts that these learning disabilities are not indicators of your child’s intelligence. In fact, children with learning disabilities often have average or above average intelligence .( Understanding Special Education, 2016) Further asserted by Kemp is that kids with learning disabilities are not lazy or dumb. Their brains are simply wired differently. This difference affects how they receive and process information. (Kemp, 2016)

The problem that I have identified in the first paragraph is shown in the article of help guide. org which goes: “It can be tough to face the possibility that your child has a learning disorder. No parents want to see their children suffer. You may wonder what it could mean for your child’s future, or worry about how your kid will make it through school. Perhaps you’re concerned that by calling attention to your child’s learning problems he or she might be labeled “slow” or assigned to a less challenging class.”

Knowing the existence of learning disorder in general and learning that one may have it in particular is a start just as in scientific method of problemsolving, the first step is always to identify the problem. Now that the problem is identified, which is that learning disability is a threat to learning. I have gathered some relevant information as to get to know more the nature and effects of the problem.

Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders explains that aside from underachievement, other warning signs that a person may have a learning disability include overall lack of organization, forgetfulness, and taking unusually long amounts of time to complete assignments. In the classroom, the child’s teacher may observe one or more of the following characteristics: difficulty paying attention, unusual sloppiness and disorganization, social withdrawal, difficulty working independently, and trouble switching from one activity to another. In addition to the preceding signs, which relate directly to school and schoolwork, certain general behavioral and emotional features often accompany learning disabilities. These include impulsiveness, restlessness, distractibility, poor physical coordination, low tolerance for frustration, low self- esteem, daydreaming, inattentiveness, and anger or sadness. ( Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, 2016) Often, these children may try very hard to follow instructions, concentrate, and “be good” at home and in school.

Yet, despite this effort, he or she is not mastering school tasks and falls behind. Learning disorders affect at least 1 in 10 schoolchildren (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2013) In learning more about learning disabilities, it important that it be not confused with learning problems which are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor handicaps; of mental retardation; of emotional disturbance; or of environmental, cultural or economic disadvantages. (Learning Disabilities Association of America, 2016) This is supported by Psychology Today when they posited that not all l earning problems fall into the category of learning disabilities. Many children are simply slower in developing certain skills. Because children show natural differences in their rate of development, sometimes what seems to be a learning disability may simply be a delay in maturation. (Psychology Today , 2016) Furthermore, difficulty in school doesn’t always stem

from a learning disability. Anxiety, depression, stressful events, emotional trauma, and other conditions affecting concentration make learning more of a challenge. In addition, ADHD and autism sometimes co- occur or are confused with learning disabilities. (Kemp, 2016)

In the preceding paragraphs, I had been providing second-hand information as to the nature of learning disability; my next task is to provide concrete examples of what these disabilities are. Kemp wrote the following: There are two types of learning disabilities in reading. Basic reading problems occur when there is difficulty understanding the relationship between sounds, letters and words. Reading comprehension problems occur when there is an inability to grasp the meaning of words, phrases, and paragraphs. Learning disabilities in math vary greatly depending on the child’s other strengths and weaknesses. A child’s ability to do math will be affected differently by a language learning disability, or a visual disorder or a difficulty with sequencing, memory or organization. Learning disabilities in writing can involve the physical act of writing or the mental activity of comprehending and synthesizing information. Basic writing disorder refers to physical difficulty forming words and letters. Expressive writing disability indicates a struggle to organize thoughts on paper. Motor difficulty refers to problems with movement and coordination whether it is with fine motor skills (cutting, writing) or gross motor skills ( running, jumping). A motor disability is sometimes referred to as an “output” activity meaning that it relates to the output of information from the brain. In order to run, jump, write or cut something, the brain must be able to communicate with the necessary limbs to complete the action. Language and communication learning disabilities involve the ability to understand or produce spoken language. Language is also considered an output activity because it requires organizing thoughts in the brain and calling upon the right words to verbally explain something or communicate with someone else.

After the gathered information enlightened us with the nature and effects of learning disability, allow me to apply a theory of learning to the subject at hand: Learning disability as a threat to learning. I have chosen Brain-Based Learning Theory to prove my assertion. This learning theory is based on the structure and function of the brain. As long as the brain is not prohibited from fulfilling its normal processes, learning will occur .( Brain Based Learning, 2016) Learning disability as discussed above is a neurologically- based processing problem that can interfere with learning. This processing problem occurs in the brain which prohibits the fulfillment of the normal processes; hence learning may or may not occur.

My task here is to expose the unpopular threat. The next step of overcoming this threat lies on your hands. My goal is to give you a head start. But do not worry. I’ll give you a hint. Science has made great pace in understanding the inner workings of the brain, and one important discovery that brings new hope for l earning disabilities and disorders is called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity recognizes that the brain continues to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. It allows the neurons in the brain to compensate for injury and adjust their activity in response to new situations or changes in their environment. (Liou, 2010) That is why I described learning disability as a curable hindrance. And it is best to not self- diagnose and consult an expert for an accurate treatment. To end this paper, I see it fit to put emphasis on the well established idea that there are several factors that affect learning and not just the intelligence of the student. One of these factors is Learning Disability. It is important to get to know more of what learning disability is as a first step to overcome this threat to learning. ( Paid article)