What are learning disabilities
                     What are 
learning 
disabilities
?
1
What is a 
learning 
disability?
• A learning disability is a neurological 
condition which affects the brain's ability 
to send, receive, and process information. 
• A child with a learning disability may have 
difficulties in reading, writing, speaking, 
listening, understanding mathematical 
concepts, and with general 
comprehension. 
2
Source: www.whiteswanfoundation.org
3
Causes of 
learning 
disabilities
Heredity
• It is observed that a child, whose parents 
have had a learning disability, is likely to 
develop the same disorder.
4
Source: www.whiteswanfoundation.org
Illness during 
and after birth
• An illness or injury during or after birth 
may cause learning disabilities. 
• Other possible factors could be drug or 
alcohol consumption during pregnancy, 
physical trauma, poor growth in the 
uterus, low birth weight, and premature or 
prolonged labor.
5
Source: www.whiteswanfoundation.org
Stress during 
infancy
• A stressful incident after birth such as high 
fever, head injury, or poor nutrition.
6
Source: www.whiteswanfoundation.org
Comorbidity
• Children with learning disabilities are at a 
higher-than-average risk for attention 
problems or disruptive behavior disorders. 
Up to 25 percent of children with reading 
disorder also have ADHD.
7
Source: www.whiteswanfoundation.org
What are the 
signs of learning 
disabilities?
• In the normal physiological development, 
the child is expected to acquire a certain 
set of basic cognition and motor skills. 
• Any significant delay or gap in this 
development could be a sign of learning 
disability. 
8
Source: www.whiteswanfoundation.org
How is a learning 
disability 
identified?
• Identifying a learning disability is a 
complex process. The first step is to rule 
out vision, hearing, and developmental 
issues that can overshadow the underlying 
learning disability. 
• Once these tests are completed, a learning 
disability is identified using psycho 
educational assessment, which includes 
academic achievement testing along with 
a measure of intellectual capability. 
9
Source: www.whiteswanfoundation.org
How is a learning 
disability 
identified cont.
• This test helps determine if there is any 
significant discrepancy between a child's 
potential and performance capability (IQ) 
and the child's academic achievement 
(school performance).
10
Source: www.whiteswanfoundation.org
What are the 
intervention and 
support options for 
learning disabilities?
• A learning disability cannot be cured. 
However, with timely intervention and 
support, children with learning disabilities 
can be successful in school. 
• Parents and teachers are the first persons 
to notice that the child is finding it difficult 
to read, write or learn. 
11
Source: www.whiteswanfoundation.org