A learning disability is described as:

• a state of arrested or incomplete development of brain
• significant impairment of intellectual functioning
• significant impairment of adaptive/social functioning

 

Someone who has learning disabilities or learning difficulties may find it hard to learn things in the normal way, as the brain is not able to receive and process information in the same way as others. They may have trouble performing certain tasks or displaying certain skills. They may also struggle with social skills and interaction, potentially leaving them vulnerable in dangerous situations.

A learning disability is an impairment that exists from childhood or develops before birth. It does not develop in adulthood.  The terms ‘learning difficulties’, ‘learning disability’ and ‘developmental disability’ are used interchangeably, although ‘learning difficulties’ is the most common and accepted.

A learning difficulty cannot be cured, but there is support available to help those with learning difficulties succeed in life. Learning difficulties are often confused with mental illness, but the two are entirely separate. The most common learning difficulties are attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia.

Signs of a learning difficulty

Learning difficulties can encompass a range of different problems, from general issues to a specific condition. Below are some of the general problems:

• not being able to concentrate for long periods of time
• trouble remembering things, short and long term
• sequencing problems – remembering the correct order of a story
• difficulties reading and/or writing
• difficulties with social interaction, levels of appropriateness, sensitivity
• tripping over things, excessive clumsiness

 

These are traits many people suffer from time to time, however if they become prominent or continuous, this may be an indication of a learning difficulty.  There are also specific learning difficulties, which are significant, lifelong conditions which have developed in childhood and have affected development. These include:

• Dyslexia – primarily affects reading, spelling and writing, but may also affect memory, sequencing, spoken language, motor skills and organisation.
• Dyscalculia – affects the ability to understand and carry out basic mathematical processes.

• ADHD – attention deficit hyperactive disorder – affects ability to concentrate, focus on one thing and results in hyperactivity, fidgeting, unable to sit still.

 

Learning difficulties are categorised as mild, moderate and severe. They are diagnosed through observation, assessment and tests.

Learning disability causes

Learning difficulties do not develop later in life – they are either present before or after birth. Before birth, something may happen to the central nervous system whilst in the womb, the brain may not develop correctly, or the child may not receive enough oxygen during child birth. Smoking and taking drugs during pregnancy can cause premature birth, putting the child at a higher risk of developing learning difficulties.

Genetic influences may also play a part – certain genes may be passed on by parents, the most common being Fragile X syndrome or Down’s syndrome, which are not learning difficulties themselves but can cause them.  The environment the child grows up in can also play a part. Poor nutrition in early life and environmental toxins such as lead are sometimes to blame.

When is the right time to seek help?

It can be hard to differentiate between a child struggling with the normal learning process, and a child struggling to the point of having a learning difficulty, and needing alternative methods to help them learn.

The first signs of a potential learning difficulty may arise when the child is learning to speak, read, write or solve problems.  Later in development, it may become apparent when the child is undergoing tests, and the amount of studying and preparation the child did for the test is not reflected in their results.

There are many tests that can help ascertain if a child has learning difficulties, including psychometric tests to measure IQ and the Adaptive Behaviour Scale. There are many facilities available to support both parents and children through the process of diagnosing a learning difficulty, and providing the best course of action and support for the child.

Treatment for learning disabilities

Learning disabilities cannot be cured, and for parents, it can be a difficult and stressful time trying to help their child through education, and making sure they receive the best support possible for their needs. It is important to also focus on the long-term and bigger picture. Explaining the child’s condition to friends, family, and anyone affected can be difficult, but is essential in helping manage the situation.

Making sure the child eats well, sleeps well and gets regular exercise will help them to focus, and teaches them good habits for life.  Talking to the child’s school and Doctor are the first ports of call, after which the child may be referred to Child Development specialists, which may include special nurses, psychologists and speech therapists to decide on the best course of action. This may mean the child having additional support at their current school, or moving to a school more suited to their needs.

Learning disability statistics

Learning disability (LD) is still remains as an unrecognized disability in various disability Acts in India. The enactment of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Production of Rights and Full Participation Act, 1995 (referred as Persons with Disability Act) is a signal achievement of the Indian Disability Movements. The Act aims to product and promote economic and social rights of people with disabilities. The act covers only seven disabilities such as: blindness; low vision; leprosy-cured; hearing impairment; locomotor disability; mental retardation; mental illness;

It is noted that there is no attention is given to the Learning Disability category in the most notable disability Act. The Learning Disability is completely ignored in the Persons with Disability Act (PWD Act) like their hidden disability. In the year 2011, the Indian government has taken first initiative steps to include different hidden disabilities and mental disorders in the draft disability bill in the replacement of Persons with Disability Act (1995). LD is a group of neurodevelopment disorders manifesting as persistent difficulties in learning to efficiently read (Dyslexia), Write (Dysgraphia) or perform mathematical calculation (Dyscalculia) despite normal intelligence, conventional schooling, intact hearing and vision, adequate motivation and socio-cultural opportunity.   

Some salient observations on the plight of LD in India

• 5-15% of the 416 million children in India have Specific Learning Disability (SpLD) making it the most wide spread disability
• It is reported that India has at least five students with SpLD in every average-size classroom
• The incidents of dyslexia in primary school children in India have been reported to be 2-18%of dyslexia, of dysgraphia 14%, of dyscalculia 5.5%
• The current Rights of Persons with Disability Bill 2014 defines “specific learning disabilities as a heterogeneous group of conditions wherein there is a deficit in processing language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself as a difficulty to comprehend, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations and includes such conditions as perceptual disabilities, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and developmental aphasia”.
• The definition included in the Rights of Persons with Disability Bill 2014 for the specific learning disabilities is in the broader sense, no attempt has been taken to define the specific terms such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, etc,. There is no clear cut definition given in the proposed Rights of Persons with Disability Bill 2014 for the SpLD. This will definitely lead to the problems in identifying the persons with specific learning disabilities and certifying them to avail provision and concessions.
• In the educational context, the unidentified SpLD students in the classroom may be one of the causes for school dropouts. The undetected and unmanaged SpLDs results in chronic scholastic backwardness ensure school dropouts. Thus, in order to achieve the goal of universalization of elementary education, the Government should take an initiative steps to clearly define the categories in the Specific Learning Disability and provide necessary and universal guidelines to identify the persons with Specific Learning Disability in the earlier stage itself.
• The researches in the field of special education indicate that the teachers, parents and students community have lack of awareness about the rights of the disabled students. The researchers also believe that one of the barriers encountered by students with disabilities is the teacher’s lack of knowledge about the disability and the types of services and accommodations available to them. The researchers have reported that there is an inadequate knowledge about disabilities leads to negative attitudes towards persons with disabilities
• There is a greater need for peoples in India to be properly trained about the problems and rights of the disabled persons especially the parents and teacher community in order to support their learning disabled children.

 

What should I be looking for in a counsellor or psychotherapist?

There are currently no law or regulations in place stipulating what training and qualifications a counsellor must have in order to treat someone with a learning disability. Counsellors treating people with learning disabilities may have to adjust the way they work, for example including more written or visual information. Therefore, it is advised that you seek help from a professional who has specific training and experience in this area.