learning disorder (learning disability)

Introduction

disorders that affect the ability to

• understand or use spoken or written language
• do mathematical calculations
• coordinate movements, or
• direct attention

Epidemiology

• occur in very young children, but
• generally not recognized until the child reaches school age

Management

• special education
  • diagnostic educational evaluation
  • teach learning skills by building on the child's abilities & strengths while correcting & compensating for disabilities & weaknesses

speech therapy

language therapists

methylphenidate may be useful for attention and concentration

psychological therapies

prognosis

• can be lifelong conditions
• several overlapping learning disabilities may be apparent
• some have a single, isolated learning problem that has little impact on life

More general terms

• mental disorder

More specific terms

• acalculia
• agraphia (dysgraphia)
• attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• attention-deficit without hyperactivity
• auditory processing disorder (APD); central auditory processing disorder (CAPD); auditory perception problem; auditory comprehension deficit; central auditory dysfunction; central deafness; word deafness
• dyslexia (reading disability)
• Gerstmann syndrome

Additional terms

• learning

Patient information

learning disorder patient information