Introduction to Specific Learning Disorder
Kathryn Patricelli, MAimage by Casey Serin (lic)The 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders released in 2013 made changes to the Learning Disorders category. Prior to this edition, there were 3 separate disorders including Reading Disorder, Mathematics Disorder, and Disorder of Written Expression.
Now, there is a single disorder, Specific Learning Disorder, which has multiple academic areas (reading, written expression, and mathematics) and then skills within each of those areas that can be impaired. There are also 3 levels of severity that can be diagnosed which guide the amount of assistance that will be needed to allow the student to compensate or function well within that area.
It is important to remember that, regardless of the name of the learning disorder, it is a true clinical disorder that is likely founded in abnormal brain development. These are not just labels given to excuse poor performance in otherwise normal students. There are actual issues with the way that information is stored, processed or produced in the brain.
That people with learning disabilities may have difficulty making good grades during their school years is obvious. What is less obvious is the social and psychological effects that often follow. Students with learning disabilities tend to drop out of school prior to graduation at higher than normal rates. Their self-esteem and sense of being able to master various subjects is negatively impacted.
Special assistance and learning programs are often available through schools (both public and private) for students with learning disabilities. Participation in these programs can be very helpful to students' academic and psychological well-being. It is a good idea to advocate to have children tested for learning problems as soon as it becomes apparent that grades in specific subjects are not where they might be.
Resources
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Articles
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Questions and Answers
- Do I Have a Mental Condition?
- Too Much Time doing Homework
- What\'s the matter?
- performance
- ADD
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Book & Media Reviews
- Don't Bother Me Mom--I'm Learning!
- Incorporating Social Goals in the Classroom
- Learning Outside the Lines
- Ready or Not, Here Life Comes
- The Nature of Intelligence
- The Survival Guide for Kids With LD*
- Why Don't Students Like School
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Links
- [2] Associations
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Videos
- Learning Struggles: What Can a Parent Do?
- Early Signs of a Learning Disability or Learning Disorder
- Common Learning Disabilities
- Student Voices: What Really Matters to Young Adults With Learning and Attention Issues
- Learning Disabilities, What Are the Different Types?
- How Much Do You Know About Dyslexia?
- Stress Relief Tips for People with Learning Disabilities
- Making Friends When You Have a Learning Disability
- Parenting a Child with Dyslexia: A Mom Shares Her Story
- Learning About Learning Disabilities
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10 more
- What is dyslexia?
- The gift of dyslexia
- Children's Communication Challenges: Is it Attention, Language or Both?
- What Are Learning Disabilities?
- What Causes Learning Disabilities?
- What Is an IEP?
- How Do I Request an Evaluation?
- Steps Parents Should Take Once Their Child is Identified with A Learning Disability
- What Is Dyslexia?
- What Is Dyscalculia?
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More Information
- An Interview with Steven Richfield, PsyD, on the Parent Coach
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