Finding The Definition For 'Learning Disability'
Finding the definition for learning disability is somewhat difficult, depending on who you are speaking to. There are several experts and medical professionals that have their own concept and definition, along with parents of children who have (or the parents think they have) a learning disability. The Child Development Institute estimates that 6-10% of all school-aged children have a learning disability, and 40% of children enrolled in Special Needs classes suffer from one. For the most part, government or state official organizations that help fund programs for children and adults with learning disabilities are considered the experts on defining the term. Experts in the field also are great to ask when deciding what defines a learning disability and what doesn't.
With the invention of the internet, there has been an outpouring of information about learning disabilities. While this is certainly mostly a good thing, there has likely been some websites that may give the wrong information. The internet may also make parents worry and wrongly diagnose their child as having a learning disability. Showing signs of dyslexia or another cognitive disability doesn't necessarily mean that the child does indeed have it.
Parents and educators should know that the internet isn't always the most accurate source of information and should always seek guidance from a medical professional when determining whether or not a child has symptoms of dyslexia or another type of learning disability.
The major consensus on the definition for learning disability includes the fact that the child has may have issues/problems with reading, writing, listening, following instructions, speaking properly, cognitive reasoning, and/or doing math. The child doesn't have to have problems with all these areas in order to have a learning disability.
According to medicinenet.com, "the [following] definition of 'learning disability' comes from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA is the federal law that guides how schools provide special education and related services to children with disabilities". IDEA defines 'learning disability' as follows: "a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia."
Medicinenet.com and IDEA also noted that the term 'learning disabilities' does not include, "...learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of mental retardation, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage." This is listed on the 34 Code of Federal Regulations ยง300.7(c)(10)
Learning the definition for learning disability is often the first step towards finding a solution for a child or adult that is having problems in any of the areas above. The Child Development Institute states that there are approximately 6 million adults with a learning disability. While there is no 'cure' for them, taking steps to work towards managing a disability is often the best way to become successful.
