3 Types of Learning Disabilities (and what to look for) We understand that the term “learning disability” can create a feeling of panic in some parents. But it’s important to know that even smart kids can have a learning disability. In fact, the majority of kids and teens with a learning disability are of average to above-average intelligence. You need look no further than some of the most famous scientists and inventors in history. It’s believed that Albert Einstein had dyslexia. Benjamin Franklin had dyscalculia. Alexander Graham Bell had dyslexia. And Thomas Edison had ADHD and dyslexia. July 26 is National Disability Independence Day. With that in mind, we’re shining a spotlight on three of the most common types of learning disabilities. We’re also sharing what parents should look for when observing their kids. We’re detailing some common “work-arounds”—things kids do or don’t do to “get by” academically). In addition, we’re sharing the root cause of each of the three learning disabilities: dyslexia, ADHD, and dysgraphia. DYSLEXIA Dyslexia simply translates to “trouble with words” and today it’s a term used to categorize difficulty with reading. Students with dyslexia may avoid reading when possible or look at pictures to find clues indicating what the text says. They may also rely on memorization rather than reading and turn to videos made from books that are required reading. As a parent, watch for some of the typical manifestations of dyslexia. This includes not remembering what was just read (weak comprehension). You may also notice your student struggling to pronounce new words. Additionally, they may have difficulty transferring what is heard to what is seen and vice versa. Some people with dyslexia struggle with letter sound discrimination (e.g., pin, pen), and poor spelling. The root cause of dyslexia is usually weak phonemic awareness. This is the ability to hear and manipulate the 45 individual phonemes in the English language), ADHD ADHD is a broad term used to cover a variety of attention deficit disorders. The umbrella term includes inattentive ADHD (i.e., “ADD”), hyperactive ADHD, and combined ADHD. Regardless of whether the student has been formally diagnosed, parents may recognize certain work-arounds when it comes to academics. For inattentive ADHD, (which is more common in girls than the hyperactive type), the student may ask friends for notes. In addition, they may look up answers online and rely on parental help to stay organized. For hyperactive ADHD, students may frequently ask for a bathroom pass or make up excuses to leave their seat. Parents and teachers may also observe fidgeting or overactivity. The student may frequently squirm in their seat. They may jump from one activity to another without completing work, or engage in purposeless or non-goal-directed activities. The root cause of ADHD is weak attention skills (sustained, divided, selective, and/or a combination of them). DYSCALCULIA The word “dyscalculia” loosely translates to “trouble with numbers” but in layperson’s terms, dyscalculia simply means math struggles. Students who struggle with math will often rely on common work-arounds. You may notice them using calculators, looking things up online, or looking up answers in the back of the book. Parents or teachers may notice the student displaying confusion over math symbols. The child may reverse or transpose numbers. They may have trouble with sequencing, and/or difficulty with mental math. They may also have difficulty telling time and recognizing directions, and grasping and remembering math concepts. Although genetics can play a role, the root cause of dyscalculia is generally poor visual processing and memory skills. This includes working and long-term memory. Suspect your child has one of these three learning disabilities? Consider taking them in for a Cognitive Skills Assessment. The assessment only takes about an hour at a LearningRx brain training center. Once you know which skills are weakest, you can look into customized cognitive skills training programs. Start by finding your nearest center on www.LearningRx.com.