Common Types of Learning Disabilities

Today we discussed a very crucial topic which is learning disabilities. So many children in Zimbabwe go through the education system with learning disabilities mainly because of lack of awareness. Some parents thing a child is just being lazy, stubborn, or just hates school. Sometimes it could be true but sometimes it could be that the child has a learning disability. 

Today we just gave definitions of the leaning disabilities from the Special Needs website, next week we will go deeper into some of the more common disabilities.

The important lesson is that we must closely monitor our children's developments and if there is a recurring pattern in their learning challenges, it would be best to go for an assessment or alert the teacher


Overview of Common Types of Learning Disabilities
If your child has trouble with schoolwork and learning, it can be both frustrating for you and your child.  Your child may feel unintelligent, and you may feel that your child is not trying his best.  However, there can be a hidden factor that explains why your child is struggling.  Your child may have one of several types of learning disabilities.
If your child is constantly struggling with learning and developmental stages, it is a good idea to get them tested for one of the many types of learning disabilities.  If your child ends up having a learning disability, they may qualify for an Individualized Education Plan, IEP, as well as for extra help and resources.  A child with a learning disability does not make them unintelligent or lazy.  It simply means that he is not able to function or process in a certain area as well as a child without a learning disability.

Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a common learning disability that affects a child’s reading and how they see and understand written words.  Children with dyslexia can mix up letters, have a hard time with reading speed and fluency, and may even complain of physical ailments when reading.

Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is the learning disability that revolves around arithmetic and numbers.  Children with dyscalculia have difficulty telling time, counting in a sequenced pattern (such as by 2s or 5s), and handling money.  Dyscalculia also affects one’s ability to memorize number sequences as well as comprehending number sequences.

Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is the learning disability that affects one’s writing, spelling, and information comprehension.  The learning disability of dysgraphia is usually present alongside with dyslexia.  Dysgraphia makes it hard for one to organize sentences and words, comprehend writing structure and organization, as well as copying letters and words accurately. 

Dyspraxia 
Dyspraxia is the learning disorder that affects the fine motor skills and gross motor skills.  Children with dyspraxia have a hard time with hand-eye coordination and completing simple fine or gross motor skills, such as cutting, buttoning, jumping, and running.  Usually those with dyspraxia are clumsy and hard to understand due to their trouble of pronouncing words.

Aphasia or Dysphasia
Aphasia or Dysphasia is the learning disability of understanding language.  Children with these types of learning disabilities have a hard time retelling a story they heard, as well as difficulty understanding the meaning of words or directions. 

Auditory Processing Disorder
Those with auditory processing disorder have a difficult time hearing words correctly in the right speed as well as the difference between different word sounds.  This issue makes it difficult for them to read and comprehend language and written words.

Visual Processing Disorder
Those with the learning disability of visual processing disorder find it challenging to read and comprehend the meaning and difference of symbols, shapes, maps, charts, and pictures.  They will often reverse letters and numbers, skip lines, or skip words. 

While there are many types of learning disabilities, there are also many resources and aids to help parents and their children. Many of these types of learning disabilities are usually not present alone in a child.  Instead, many children will have a mixture of two or more learning disabilities in different severities. 

http://www.specialneeds.com/children-and-parents/general-special-needs/types-learning-disabilities