Home : Clinicians : Learning Disabilities: A Brouchure for Psychologists Learning Disabilities: A Brochure for Psychologists
Is your client easily distracted by his/her own thoughts?
Does he/she take a long time to process and respond to what you say?
Do you find that your client often lacks insight or self awareness?
Do you find that your client displays concrete thinking despite what appears
to be at least average intelligence?
If so, you may be working with someone who has a learning disability
(LD).
What is a learning disability?
The definition provided in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA) states that:
(i) A learning disability is 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 to do mathematical calculations,
including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury,
minimal brain dysfunction,
dyslexia, and developmental aphasia.
(ii) The term 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.
In the course of your practice, you are very likely to encounter clients
who have been diagnosed or are in need of an evaluation for learning disabilities.
An estimated 5 to 20 percent of the population is affected by LD.
It is estimated that 30 to 40 percent of people identified with Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) also have some form of LD. ADHD
is a "red flag" for a possible learning evaluation.
Behavioral difficulties or internalizing disorders may also be secondary
problems to undiagnosed LD. Performing a thorough evaluation of school
and work performance is critical.
Language-based learning disabilities (including dyslexia) are the most
commonly known and diagnosed. There are also non-verbal learning disorders,
which may involve significant difficulty with visual-spatial problem-solving,
mathematics and/or handwriting.
Warning signs for adults
Clients do not need to exhibit all symptoms to consider the possibility
of LD.
Significant discrepancies between apparent intellectual ability and
actual school and/or work performance
Cognitive distortions and distorted perceptions despite apparently
adequate parenting, average intelligence and good reality testing.
Avoidance of reading
Difficulty expressing thoughts orally or in writing
Problematic academic history
Difficulty remembering newly learned information
Organizational difficulties
Impulsivity, low frustration tolerance
Poor work or relationship history
Poor self-esteem, lifelong feeling of being "stupid"
Poor motor skills or history of clumsiness, lack of involvement in
athletic endeavors
External locus of control (Feeling that events are outside of one's
control)
Problems in peer and coworker interactions
Missing the point of subtle jokes
Finding or keeping a job
Developmental history
Immaturity, language delay, or delay in developmental motor milestones
Prenatal substance use by mother
Prematurity
Low birth weight
Birth trauma
History of Otitis Media or allergies
High fevers
Accidents involving head trauma or loss of consciousness
Inconsistent school history
Retention in one or more grades
Social difficulties, lack of friendships
What can I do if I feel I am working with someone who has a
learning disability?
Having a comprehensive evaluation of cognitive, social, emotional, motor
and academic skills is the first step. Referrals can be made to licensed
psychologists specializing in assessment of LD. The assessment can identify
particular learning strengths and weaknesses and offer recommendations
for remediation.
These organizations are available as resources for professionals, clients
and their families:
Learning Disabilities Worldwide (LDW) is a non- profit, volunteer
organization including individuals with learning disabilities, their
families, and professionals. LDW is dedicated to enhancing the quality
of life for all individuals with learning disabilities and their families,
and to alleviating the restricting effects of learning disabilities.
Phone: 781-890-5399. Website: http://www.ldworldwide.org
The American Psychological Association is the professional organization
for psychologists in the United States. In addition to advocating for
the practice of psychology in the state, we are also committed to sharing
information on psychological issues with the public. Phone: 800-374-2721.
Website: http://www.apa.org/
Selected references
Brooks, Robert and Goldstein, Sam. (2004) The Power of Resilience:
Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life.
New York: McGraw-Hill.
LDW would like to thank Larry Silver, MD and Robert Brooks, Ph.D. for
serving as consultants on this project.
Support LDW
If you enjoyed reading this article, consider joining
LDW today. Your membership helps LDW help people with learning disabilities,
their families, and the professionals who work with them.
