Causes of Learning Disabilities

A child with learning problems may be many developmental years behind their peers, this will have a big impact on what they can do in all areas of development including physical skills, social skills and intellectual skills. They may find it especially hard to interact with children of the same age or stay interested in conversation. They may also need to have one-to-one lessons at school to help educate them as they may not be at the same cognitive stage as peers. This may leave them feeling left out.

Learning disabilities are a life long struggle but if caught at a young age and early intervention takes place. The stress on the child and family is greatly reduced. Learning disabilities spread to every part of a child’s life affecting them socially. Teachers must remain professional and refrain from calling students lazy as in Adams case. A good teacher or specialist can demystify a learning disability and help a child’s

A learning disability is caused by the way the brain develops. There are many different types and most develop before a baby is born, during birth or because of a serious illness in early childhood. A learning disability is life long and usually has a significant impact on a person's life.

There are many different types of learning disabilities; the most common ones are dyslexia and attention deficit disorder. (Jerome Rosner. –third ed. 1)

Children’s development is influenced by a variety of different personal factors. Such factors can include Cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, dyslexia, and many more.

The causes of most learning disabilities are for the most part unknown. However, there are quite a few factors that can contribute to the development of these disabilities. Some of these few known factors include being hereditarily passed down as well as certain changes and alterations in the developmental process of the embryo including Down ’s syndrome. Another influence is the introduction and exposure of toxic substances during pregnancy including alcohol or infection during pregnancy. Other factors that can play a part occur during the birthing process. These include any kind stress or injury that can occur, especially to the brain (healthy children, 2013).

Other children with mild learning disability can grow up to be independent. Also, a child can have a specific learning difficulty in reading, writing or understanding what is said to them, but have no problem with learning skills in other areas of life. A child who has learning difficulties should be encouraged to develop in all areas to the best of their ability and as much as they can. Health If a child suffers from poor health or a physical disability or impairment, this may affect their developmental opportunities. For example, a child who has a medical condition or impairment may be less able to participate in some activities than other children. This may initially affect physical development, but may also restrict social activities, for example, on the playground. The child’s emotional development may also be affected, depending on their awareness of their needs and the extent to which they are affected. External Factors: Poverty and deprivation: Poverty and deprivation are likely to have a significant effect on pupil development. Statistics show that children who come from deprived backgrounds are less likely to thrive and achieve well in school, as parents will find it more difficult to manage their children’s needs, which will in turn impact on all areas of their development. These will all affect the way in which pupils are able to respond to different situations. Looked after/care status: If a child is looked

Children will come from a diverse range of backgrounds including family environments cultures and circumstances. A child is at school from a very young age to late teens and during this time many families will go through significant changes. Sometimes however schools may not always be aware of these changes. Any one of these happenings may affect their emotional and or intellectual development, this in turn can affect their behaviour in school and therefore their ability to learn. Sometimes it can also affect their physical development, for example some children may development a speech impediment such as a stutter.

The interaction the child has with the environment around them can help to promote cognitive development. In order to look at the interaction children had with the environment and if it helps promote cognitive development, my two partners and I went to observe and score The Early Learning Program (ELP) and a class at Lincoln School. The scoring system we used was from the Early Childhood Rating Scale-Revised (Harmes, Clifford, & Cryer, 2005), which

Different disabilities may affect development in different ways. However, with support from teachers and parents, these affects can be minimalised. A learning disability such as Dyslexia (a common type of learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling) could lead to a child becoming frustrated which could further lead to behavioural issues. Moreover, without assistance, Dyslexia will allow for the child to become unmotivated and prove to be a hindrance to them as they look to strive in later life. Physical disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy (a neurological condition that effects movement and coordination) will affect development as children will have difficulties communicating, eating and drinking and with their

Students with learning disabilities are a diverse group of individuals, exhibiting difficulties in many different areas. The areas most affected are reading, writing, listening, speaking, reasoning, and math; however, Learning Disabilities are specific to the individual. It is essential for educators to understand all of the possible characteristics that may be seen in children with LD. By knowing what to look for, educators may be able to help provide a meaningful educational experience. The most common types of Learning Disabilities are those that impact reading, writing, and math. According to “Specific Learning Disabilities,” there are five core concepts to consider when defining LD. First, Learning Disabilities are a heterogeneous group; LD comes in all shapes and sizes. Second, LD results in a significant difficulty to listen, speak, read, write, reason, and perform math. Third, Learning Disabilities are unique to the individual. LD is said to start in the central nervous system, and does not disappear over time, but can take on many different stages over a child’s life. Fourth, LD can occur simultaneously with other disabilities; that would not otherwise be classified as a disability. Some examples include ADHD, sensory aversions, or emotional disturbance. Lastly, LD is not caused by external influences. People from different cultural backgrounds may also have a Learning Disability (Kirkland, 2012). As an educator, I need to make sure I understand all of the possible characteristics that may be seen in children with LD. By knowing what to look for, I will be able to help provide a meaningful educational experience for my students with

Learning Disabilities Association of America. (2004). Learning Disabilities: Signs, Symptoms and Strategies. Retrieved June 18, 2012, from HYPERLINK "http://www.ldanatl.org" http://www.ldanatl.org.

It is found that typically growing children have a lower rate of LD said to be between 15 to 20%.

The environment that a child is exposed to is very influential, as a high-quality living environment has been positively linked to cognitive development (Guo & Harris, 2000). Therefore those children living in poverty are at a further disadvantage due to their low-quality living environment.

Growing, developing and learning are the facts of life for all children. Each day children are faced with many new concepts and various challenges. Can you imagine how it feels for a child to face not only new challenges life has, but to face these challenges while living with a learning disability? These challenges are met not just when they begin school either. Students suffer from learning disabilities from the moment they begin learning, not when they start school. Learning disabilities are real and they affect millions of people. “One such disability that affects over approximately 15 percent of the total American population is dyslexia” ( Nosek 5).