Learning disabilities present an obstacle for those who experience them. They are not limited to difficulties with learning processes such as reading and writing, but also affect how a person handles information, communicates with others, and even learns planning and time-management skills. This makes discussing learning disabilities an urgent need so that we can understand their meaning, types, and characteristics.

What are learning disabilities?

A learning disability is a disorder that impedes a child's ability to progress through the normal learning process. It is a persistent condition resulting from neurological factors that impair the ability to learn, despite the intellectual capacity to perform other tasks very well. The severity and timing of signs vary from one person to another, and the condition affects a person's self-esteem and ability to communicate and adapt to their social environment.

What are the types of learning disabilities?

They take the form of clearly reduced achievement in one or more of the following core academic skills:

1. Reading difficulties:Also known as dyslexia, learning difficulties in reading are caused by a disorder of neurological origin. They appear in several forms, including difficulty distinguishing sounds, recognizing letter shapes, understanding what is read, and more complex difficulties with discrimination. Children with specific reading difficulties display the following characteristics:

  • They repeat words and lose track of where they have reached.
  • They confuse similar words and letters.
  • They use their fingers to follow the material they are reading.
  • They are reluctant to read and do not read fluently when they do.
  • They have difficulty matching sounds with the appropriate letters.
  • They reverse letters and words.

2. Writing difficulties:Also known as dysgraphia, these have several forms, including spelling difficulties and difficulties producing handwriting. A child with writing difficulties usually displays the following characteristics:

  • They cannot follow words along a single line and have difficulty copying what is written on the board.
  • They use written expression that is not appropriate for their chronological age and are usually slow to complete written work.
  • They grip or press the pencil very hard against the paper, do not maintain a consistent size for words, and complain about writing.
  • They sometimes write in reverse or reverse words, letters, and numbers, although this is common through first grade and the beginning of second grade.

3. Mathematics difficulties:Also known as dyscalculia, these are severe difficulties a child experiences when performing mathematical tasks and working with numerals, numbers, and different operations. The child may display the following characteristics:

  • They have difficulty solving mathematical problems presented as stories.
  • They have difficulty matching numbers with symbols or matching a number with the concept of quantity.
  • They have difficulty understanding mathematical concepts.
  • They do not remember mathematical rules.
  • They confuse columns and spaces.

What is the difference between academic delay and learning disabilities?

The difference is that learning disabilities are persistent and require greater effort and specialized treatment because they result from neurological factors that affect mental abilities involved in learning. Academic delay, however, does not persist indefinitely and can be described as a temporary circumstance. It may result from social, environmental, or physical factors that prevented the child from achieving better academic results. When suitable conditions are available, the child can attain the required level of achievement. Learning disabilities, by contrast, require an intervention that helps the child overcome these difficulties.

It is important to note that a child displaying some of the characteristics above does not conclusively have a specific learning disability. These may be ordinary problems or difficulties caused by environmental or social factors or unsuitable learning methods—in other words, external rather than internal causes, as with specific learning disabilities. The condition is determined by considering all diagnostic criteria. If these issues are suspected, a special education specialist or learning disabilities specialist should be consulted for appropriate diagnosis and assessment as part of a specialist team.


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