Learning disabilities come in a variety of forms and affect people in different ways.
Academic Difficulties
Children and adults with a learning disability may struggle in all areas of school. For example, language processing disabilities can make reading and writing slow and challenging, and memory issues can result in a student having to reread a piece of text or listen to spoken instructions many times. These students also may need more time to process information before answering questions or replying when spoken to, which can result in difficulties contributing to classroom or group discussions. Someone with attention deficit disorder may also find it difficult to maintain focus, and paying attention is critical to learning. Organization and planning can also be impaired, resulting in difficulty keeping track of assignments or supplies and submitting work on time.
Social and Employment Difficulties
Individuals with a learning disability or ADD may have difficulty maintaining friendships, relationships or employment, as they may find organization, impulse control, planning and reading social cues to be a challenge. It’s important for each individual to understand their areas of strength and weaknesses, so they can better explain their needs to others in order to ensure personal and social success.