Specific Learning Disabilities: Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia
Estimates predict that up to 1 in 5 students has some form of learning challenge, including specific learning disabilities like dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia. So what are these learning disabilities really (and what can you do to support your child’s learning after a diagnosis)?
Specific Learning Disorder
Experts use the term “specific learning disorder” to encompass the wide range of struggles kids have with school. According to the American Psychiatric Association, these disorders “are characterized by a persistent impairment in at least one of three major areas: reading, written expression, and/or math.”
These specific impairment areas are the terms you are probably more familiar with: dyslexi, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
Having a learning disability doesn’t mean learners are going to struggle in all areas. In fact, for many individuals the so-called “disorders” in the way their brain works sets them up for success in some very unique ways.
Dyslexia (Impairment in Reading)
Dyslexia, a difficulty manipulating language, is the most common learning disability. Up to 80% of individuals with a learning disorder have some level of impairment in reading.
Individuals with dyslexia don’t see letters backwards or in a jumble. Instead, dyslexic learners struggle to connect sounds with written language, making reading, spelling, writing, and other areas of life harder.
Strengths of Dyslexia:
Many dyslexic thinkers are great at visual or spatial tasks, including puzzles and construction tasks. They also tend to be empathetic and outside-the-box thinkers!
Dysgraphia (Impairment in Writing)
Individuals with dysgraphia struggle to put their thoughts on paper. This can include struggles with:
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Written expression
- Handwriting
- Organization
The ability to write requires fine motor skills, strong working memory, spatial perception, phonological awareness, the ability to connect these sounds with letters, language processing, comprehension, and organization skills (among others). Weaknesses in any of these areas could be causing the delay in writing ability that is diagnosed as dysgraphia!
Strengths of Dysgraphia:
Many individuals with dysgraphia are great auditory listeners and storytellers despite their struggles to put these things on paper!
Dyscalculia (Impairment in Math)
Dyscalculia is a math learning disorder that makes mathematical reasoning and computation difficult. This can include:
- Number awareness
- Memorizing math facts
- Performing calculations efficiently
- Reasoning and problem-solving
Many of these processes are tied to cognitive skills like memory, processing speed, visual processing, and logic & reasoning. Kids who struggle in math don’t have to hate the subject forever!
Learn more about our math training program here.
Strengths of Dyscalculia:
Many individuals with dyscalculia are highly imaginative and creative. They also tend to enjoy words, written language, and stories and tend to succeed in those areas.
Brain Training & Learning Disabilities
LearningRx helps clients with learning disorders and learning disabilities by targeting learning skills like processing speed, working memory, and reasoning.
Please note that we do not diagnose learning disorders or learning disabilities, and brain training is not a cure for these conditions.
Individuals with learning disabilities often have multiple cognitive skill weaknesses that make learning harder. These are skills that contribute to struggles with reading, writing, math, focusing, or reasoning. The great news is that strengthening these skills has helped thousands of kids with learning disabilities become more successful!
Learn more about brain training for individuals with learning disabilities here.
