Specific learning disorders (SLDs) are neurodevelopmental conditions that affect an individual’s ability to acquire, process, or use information effectively in one or more academic areas, stemming from differences in how the brain processes information rather than intellectual disability, sensory impairments, emotional disturbances, or lack of educational opportunities.
Common types include dyslexia, which involves difficulty with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, poor decoding, spelling, and reading comprehension, often marked by trouble recognizing letters, reversing words, slow reading, or difficulty understanding text.
Dyscalculia, another type, is characterized by challenges with number sense, memorizing arithmetic facts, and performing accurate math calculations, with signs including difficulty counting, understanding time, handling money, or grasping abstract math concepts like fractions.
Dysgraphia, or written expression disorder, manifests as difficulty with handwriting, spelling, and written composition, with symptoms such as poor legibility, slow writing speed, or trouble organizing thoughts on paper.
These disorders often coexist with conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, or executive functioning challenges, and individuals with SLDs typically have average or above-average intelligence, excelling in areas not affected, such as creativity or problem-solving. While SLDs are lifelong, early identification through neuropsychological testing and interventions can significantly improve outcomes, helping individuals manage challenges and achieve success in school, work, and life.
If a learning disorder is suspected, seeking professional evaluation is crucial to gaining clarity and accessing effective strategies and resources.