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Learning Disabilities - Characteristics

Learning disabilities are characterized by a significant difference in the child's achievement in some areas, as compared to his or her overall intelligence.

Students who have learning disabilities may exhibit a wide range of traits, including problems with reading comprehension, spoken language, writing, or reasoning ability. Hyperactivity, inattention, and perceptual coordination problems may also be associated with learning disabilities. Other traits that may be present include a variety of symptoms, such as uneven and unpredictable test performance, perceptual impairments, motor disorders, and behaviors such as impulsiveness, low tolerance for fustruation, and problems in handling day-to-day social interactions and situations.

Learning disabilities may occur in the following academic areas:

Spoken language: Delays, disorders, or discrepancies in listening and speaking;

Written language: Difficulties with reading, writing, and spelling;

Arithmetic: Difficulty in performing arithmetic functions or in comprehending basic concepts;

Reasoning: Difficulty in organizing and integrating thoughts; and

Organization skills: Difficulty in organizing all facets of learning.

Definitions • Characteristics • Educational Implications • Special Topics • References • National Organizations • Disabilities Defined

Adapted from information published by the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities

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