Introduction
Specific
Learning Disorder (SLD), as defined in DSM-5.
According to DSM-5, SLD is a type of
neurodevelopment disorder that impedes a person’s ability to learn and use
specific academic skills, such as reading, writing and arithmetic, which serve
as the foundation for most other academic learning. SLD is a clinical diagnosis
and is not necessarily synonymous with ‘learning difficulties’.
Characteristics
of children with learning problems
In a child,
the visible and most alarming indicator of learning problem to parents and
teachers is the failure in class tests and examinations. When a child
consistently shows poor performance in one or more subjects in school, he
should be testes to confirm or rule out learning problems. Other
characteristics found in such children include deficits in:
- Visual perception
- Auditory perception
- Visual motor activities
- Conceptualization
- Memory
- Attention
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A discrepancy between actual
performance of the student and the expected performance in class is an
indicator of learning problems.
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Many
children with learning problems are found to be:
- Impulsive
- Poor in comprehension
- Disorganized
- Having low self esteem
- Having unpredictable behavior
- Withdrawn
- Communicating poorly
- Anxious
- Moody
- Having difficulty in problem solving
- Confused
- Fidgety
Specific types of learning
disabilities and related disorders
LEARNING DISABILITY Terminology
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Disability
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Area of difficulty
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Symptoms include trouble with
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Example
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Dyslexia
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Processing
language
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·
Reading
·
Writing
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Spelling
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Confusing letter
names and sounds, difficulties blending sounds into words, slow rate of
reading, trouble remembering after reading text
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Dyscalculia
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Math skills
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Computation
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Remembering math facts
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Concepts of time and money
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Difficulty
learning to count by 2s, 3s, 4s, poor mental math skills, problems with
spatial directions
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Dysgraphia
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Written expression
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Handwriting
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Spelling
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Composition
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Illegible
handwriting, difficulty organizing ideas for writing
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Dyspraxia
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Fine motor skills
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Coordination
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Manual dexterity
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Trouble with
scissors, buttons, drawing
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Information Processing Disorders
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Auditory Processing Disorder
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Interpreting
auditory information
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Language development
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Reading
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Difficulty
anticipating how a speaker will end a sentence
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Visual Processing Disorder
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Interpreting
visual information
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·
Reading
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Writing
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Math
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Difficulty
distinguishing letters like “h” and “n”
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Other Related Disorders
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Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Concentration and
focus
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Over-activity
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Distractibility
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Impulsivity
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Can't sit still,
loses interest quickly, daydreams
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For more notes on special education, visit: www.specialeducationnotes.co.in
