What are learning disorders?

A learning disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain processes information, making certain skills like reading, writing, or math harder to learn. They’re quite common — according to research, around 5% to 15% of school-aged children experience learning difficulties like dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia. They’re lifelong conditions, with symptoms extending into adulthood.

Living with a learning disorder can feel frustrating and exhausting at times. You might know you’re capable, but specific tasks don’t seem to click the way they do for others. 

It’s important to note that learning disorders aren’t about intelligence, but how your brain processes and organizes information. With the right interventions and support, you can succeed in both academic and work settings.

What types of learning disorders are there?

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the text that mental health professionals use to make diagnoses and treatment decisions, there are three subtypes of learning disorders, which are all formally diagnosed as “specific learning disorders.” 

These include:

• Learning disorder with impairment in reading (dyslexia): This learning disorder makes reading tasks, including accuracy, speed, and fluency, challenging. People with dyslexia have a harder time connecting letters and words to sounds. Dyslexia is the most common learning disorder and affects around 20% of the population.
• Learning disorder with impairment in mathematics (dyscalculia): People with dyscalculia have trouble with numbers and math. This could include being able to understand and process number-related concepts.
• Learning disorder with impairment in written expression (dysgraphia): Dysgraphia causes difficulties in writing and spelling. Children may learn to write at a slower or lower level than their peers. Dysgraphia isn’t diagnosed when some type of motor difficulty makes it difficult for you to write (for example, if a child can’t hold a pencil). 

How can you recognize a learning disorder?

It’s important to understand that having a learning disorder is about more than simply not being skilled in a certain subject. For example, many people consider themselves to be “bad at math” but can do simple day-to-day tasks requiring it. Having a learning disorder means you experience significant impairment in your life due to your difficulty learning in that area.

In ideal situations, learning disorders are recognized and addressed early. By getting a diagnosis early in life, children can learn ways to manage their learning disorder, get adequate accommodations, and come to understand their condition and how it affects their brain. 

On the other hand, adults who haven’t received the right diagnosis may not understand why they have so much difficulty with certain subjects. This can significantly affect their mental health and self-esteem.

Spotting signs of a learning disability

Children with learning disorders may also have a learning disability, which is a legal term used by school systems to identify students who may need extra academic support and accommodations.

It can be tricky to differentiate between a learning disability causing a child’s difficulties in school and underlying trauma or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can show similar symptoms. A diagnosis from a specialized mental health professional is key. Additionally, teachers, parents, and other adults can watch out for the signs of a learning disability, so they can take action when needed. These signs can include: 

• Having trouble reading or writing: One of the biggest signs a child could have a learning disability is when they’re academically behind their peers. If a child is consistently behind in reading levels or shows serious difficulty with spelling, reading fluency, simple math, or writing coherent sentences, it may signal a learning disability.
• Avoiding schoolwork: Children with learning disabilities may actively avoid homework or class assignments because they find them frustrating or difficult. They may not be able to explain to you exactly why they don’t want to do their schoolwork, but you continue to notice them avoiding it.
• Not following directions: If a child has trouble remembering or following multi-step instructions, it could point to challenges with working memory — a common issue for children with learning disabilities. 
• Complaining about school being “too hard”: Children might say they feel overwhelmed at school. This could affect their self-esteem, and they might say things like, “I’m dumb” or, “School is too hard for me.” They could protest going to school sometimes and may refuse to attend due to the difficulties. 
• Being disorganized: Learning disabilities can impact a child’s ability to organize thoughts or materials. They might frequently lose school supplies or have disorganized notebooks. However, this could be indicative of other neurodevelopmental conditions, like ADHD, as well.

Learning disorders can affect adults too. Beyond challenges with tasks requiring reading, writing, or math, adults with learning disorders may also have difficulty with focusing, adjusting to change, or hand-eye coordination. If you suspect you have a learning disorder, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Getting a correct diagnosis and support can make your life easier. 

Diagnosing a learning disorder 

To diagnose a learning disorder, a psychologist or an educational specialist will lead an in-depth evaluation, including testing, observations, and input from teachers and parents. They’ll assess specific areas like reading, writing, math, and cognitive skills, like memory and processing speed. 

To qualify for a formal diagnosis, the child’s difficulties must significantly impact their academic performance. That doesn’t mean they can’t have average (or above-average) academic performance — just their learning difficulties must be keeping them from performing as well as they could. Criteria include: 

• Restricted progress in learning
• Difficulty mastering an underlying skill which inhibits their ability to build upon learning
• Performance that’s well below same-age peers receiving the same instruction

What causes learning disorders?

We are yet to understand exactly what causes learning disorders. What we do know is that they’re neurobiological in origin, meaning people with learning disorders experience differences in brain structure. These differences can make it more difficult to process information and learn certain subjects. 

Learning disorders are also a type of neurodevelopmental condition, which means that symptoms appear in childhood before the brain is fully formed. This can affect a child’s brain development and lead to ongoing difficulties as the child continues to grow.

Some of the risk factors that can contribute to learning disorders include:

• Genetics: Learning disorders have been found to be highly genetic. You’re more likely to have a learning disorder if you have a parent or another close relative with one.
• In-utero causes: Many risk factors for learning disorders happen while the child is a fetus in utero. For example, exposure to alcohol or drugs while in utero can contribute to a learning disorder later in life.
• Environmental exposures: Early exposure to certain substances, like lead in paint and/or water, can put children at higher risk for a learning disorder.
• Stress: Although not a direct cause of learning disorders, research shows stress can play a role in its development. Reducing chronic stress in children can sometimes improve their academic performance.

What’s the treatment for learning disorders?

Learning disorders have no cure because they’re neurodevelopmental conditions that are part of your brain’s biology. But intervention, especially early on in life, can help you learn how to succeed in spite of your learning disorder and address co-existing mental health concerns like depression.

For children in school, effective treatment could look like:

• An Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan: These customized plans provide tailored learning strategies and accommodations, like extra time on tests or modified assignments.
• Specialized instruction: Access to reading specialists, speech therapists, or other support services can help address specific academic difficulties.
• Classroom adjustments: Children with learning disorders may benefit from preferential seating, the use of assistive technology, or alternative ways to engage in learning, such as oral presentations instead of written tests.

For adults, this could mean:

• Workplace accommodations: Adjusting deadlines, allowing flexible work hours, or providing assistive technology like speech-to-text software can help adults with learning disorders manage their workloads with confidence. 
• Continuing education support: As an adult with a learning disorder, working with a tutor or coach for job-related skills can be beneficial. 

Remember, people of all ages with diagnosed learning disorders are legally entitled to reasonable school and work accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Find care with Rula

If you or your child has a learning disorder, it can make tasks like completing assignments at work or in school difficult. But remember that this doesn’t reflect your intelligence or ability to succeed — you just have brain differences. The right accommodations and support can make it easier for you to learn and function in day-to-day life. 

A therapist can make an accurate diagnostic assessment and help you navigate life with a learning disorder. Rula has helped hundreds of thousands of patients find affordable, quality, in-network therapy. Our expansive network of licensed therapists have expertise in over 80 different clinical specialties, including learning disabilities.

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