What are Learning Disabilities?

When looking up the words learning disabilities in the dictionary, it is defined as “Any of various cognitive, neurological, or psychological disorders that impede the ability to learn, especially one that interferes with the ability to learn mathematics or develop language skills. Also called learning disorder.”

According to the Dental Dictionary, learning disabilities are defined as the “Inability to learn at a rate comparable to most members of a peer group. Some learning disorders have been traced to nutritional and behavioral causes, others stem from trauma or disease, and still others have genetic origins.”

Personally, I prefer the definition from the dental dictionary, as I have seen children who were labeled with LD, (the abbreviation of learning disability) to go from being the most hated child to walk the face of the earth (because of the behavioral problems) to an extremely well mannered child all in a period of a few months time by incorporating the elimination stage of 10-Steps (so as to identify what, if any foods, and/or smells the child was allergic to) to taking a whole food nutritionally based regiment like Super Fruits or Super Veggies & Greens . I mean the changes in these children were like night and day, like there was a split personality!

For those of us with this difficulty, we are thought of as having a neurologically based difficulty in processing language and/or figures. Because of this, we need some sort of compensation for our way of learning, as it needs to be slightly altered by incorporating special learning strategies (like using an interpreter, or a recorder so as to listen to the lectures again at a later time, so as to take better notes or with extra effort and tutoring. Examples of such learning disabilities include difficulty in reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia), and mathematics (dyscalcula).

As I mentioned to you before, it was a particular episode on the Cosby Show that led me to believe that I too had a learning disability. As Theo was tested, so was I, and you can get tested too! Unlike when I was originally in need of assistance, there is now more information about learning disabilities. Because there is more awareness about learning disabilities, there are more programs offering special help. Just ask your school guidance counselor for more information! If however you find he/she is unable to assist you, there are psychologists that are well equipped with all of this information, as well as the tests you would need to take for your diagnosis.

Learning Styles

It is my firm belief that if parents and teachers alike were better equipped in knowing and understanding how we learn, there would not be such labels, and God knows best. Further, if we were to remember that helping your child or student(s) to become good learners is an important part of teaching. In case you didn’t already know, there are 7 kinds of learning styles-- visual-spatial, aural-auditory, verbal-linguistic, physical-bodily-kinesthetic, logical-mathematical, social-interpersonal, and solitary-intrapersonal. As teachers (because you as the parent(s) are your child(ren)’s first teacher, if you were able to integrate learner training into your lessons, the training that your child(ren)student(s) get through your lessons will equip them to learn more efficiently on their own.

Now to discuss the seven learning styles. The first one we will discuss is the visual-spatial learning style is one who prefers using images, pictures, colors, and maps to organize information and communicate with others. Such persons are able to read and follow maps, rarely getting lost, loves to draw and/or color/paint.

The aural-auditory learner likes to work with sound and music. They tend to have a good sense of pitch and rhythm, with the ability to sing, play a musical instrument, or identify the sounds of different instruments. In such a person certain music invokes strong emotions.

A verbal-linguistic learner uses both the written and spoken words. These persons find it easy to express themselves, both in writing as well as verbally. They love reading, writing, playing on the meaning or sound of words, like in tongue twisters, rhymes, limericks and the like. They are like a walking dictionary in that they know the meaning of many words, and make a regular effort to find the meaning of new words. Constantly using such words, and phrases they may have picked up recently while talking to others.

The physical-bodily-kinesthetic learner uses their body and sense of touch to learn about the world around them. They love sports and exercise, dance, and/or other physical activities such as gardening or woodworking, nature walks, etc. They tend to think out issues, ideas and problems while exercising. They would prefer going for a run or walk when something is bothersome.

These people tend to be more sensitive to the physical world around them, noticing and appreciating textures, like clothes and/or furniture. They like “getting their hands dirty,” or making models (pottery), or working out jigsaw puzzles.

They also use larger hand gestures and other body language when communicating. Either they love the physical action of theme park rides, or tend to avoid such as it upsets their inner body too much.

Such learners prefer pulling things apart and put them back together, rather than reading or looking at diagrams about how something works. Such learners can’t sit for long!

The logical-mathematical learner can recognize patterns easily, as well as making connections between seemingly meaningless content, which leads them to classify and group information to help them learn or understand it.

They work well with numbers and can perform complex calculations. They remember the basics of trigonometry and algebra, and can do moderately complex calculations in their head.

These learners usually work through problems and issues in a systematic way, creating procedures for future use. They are happy setting numerical targets and budgets, and tracking their progress towards such. They like creating agendas, itineraries, and to-do lists, numbering and ranking them before putting them into action.

Their scientific approach to thinking means they often support points with logical examples or statistics. Such people also tend to be perfectionist, unable to show affection, picking up logic flaws in other peoples words, writing or actions, and aren’t afraid to point these things out in others (very direct, some go as far as being rude, curt or very blunt). Their favorite games or activities are brainteasers, backgammon, and/or chess.

The social-interpersonal learner has a strong social style, communicating well with people, both verbally and non-verbally. Such people are good listeners (with the ability to understand other’s views), having many come to them for advice, as they are empathetically sensitive to others feelings and/or moods. As this child gets older, they will usually become a mentor or counselor.

They are one of two types, one that either prefers learning in groups or classes, or they like to spend much one-on-one time with a teacher or an instructor. Their learning is heightened by bouncing their thoughts off other people, listening to how they respond. They prefer working through issues, ideas and problems with a group.

As for their activities, they prefer social activities, rather than doing their own thing, favoring games that involve other people, like card games and/or board games. Such a person also loves team sports like football or soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, baseball and/or hockey.

Lastly, the solitary-intrapersonal learner. This learner is a more private, introvert and independent learner, with the ability to concentrate well, focusing their thoughts and feelings on a current topic. They are aware of their own thinking, often analyzing the different ways they think and feel.

They tend to spend time on self-analysis, and often reflect on past events and the way others approached them. They take time to ponder and assess their own accomplishments or challenges. Such people often keep a journal, diary or personal log to record their personal thoughts and events.

They are loners, and may have a personal hobby preferring to travel to remote places, away from crowds.

These people are very in tune with themselves, thinking independently, and know their own mind. They are likely to attend self-development workshops, read self-help books or use other methods to develop a deeper understanding of themselves.

They prefer to work on problems by going somewhere quiet and working through possible solutions.

They like to make plans and set goals, knowing their direction in life and work. Such people don’t like to be told what to do and would do better as being their own boss.

In summation, I believe one could possess more than one style of learning, and God knows best.

When I had taken my last test, the particular psychologist who tested me informed me that the reason most schools do not provide such tests is due to the lack of funding and awareness (so this is one of the other reasons we fall through the cracks)!

Based on the difficulties one may have in learning how to read, write, spell, or calculate, (all of which are believed to have a neurological origin) did you know you have the right to protection from being discriminated against in the school and/or work environment? The protection I am speaking of is listed in the ED [U.S. Department of Education] Section 504(b) regulation. Further, if learning disabilities continue to be unrecognized, learning disabilities may result not only in poor classroom performance but also in low self-esteem and/or disruptive behavior. Again, Rhonda Riggott Stevens does an excellent job providing more information on the link between food allergies, learning disabilities, and your rights. Her website is www.foodallergyadvocate.com.

Link Between Learning Disabilities and Autism

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