Multiple: Learning Disorders

Learning disorders is a term used to describe childhood school-related problems related to academic and functional skills, including being able to read, write, spell, speak, listen, think a problem through logically, and organize information. Learning disorders are sometimes called learning disabilities. They can be caused by a number of factors, ranging from

heredity and damage to the child's brain before birth to premature birth or accidents after birth.

A learning disorder is not the same thing as mental retardation or having low intelligence. Many children diagnosed with learning disorders have average or above-average intelligence. Some doctors categorize learning disorders according to whether the child's problem is caused by:

• Problems taking in information through the senses (vision problems or hearing loss).
• Problems organizing information in the mind. This skill includes relating new information to facts previously learned and being able to put facts together to form a larger picture of the subject.
• Memory problems.
• Problems with speech or motor activities (drawing or handwriting).

Specific learning disorders include dyslexia, the most common learning disorder; writing disorder; mathematics disorder; motor (movement) skill disorder; and disorders of speaking and listening. Treatment of learning disorders is focused on identifying them and working with the child to overcome them as early as possible.

SEE ALSO Dyslexia; Fetal alcohol syndrome; Hearing loss; Prematurity