The most common learning disorders.

What are the most common LDs? Of course under the learning disability title, there are many different disabilities.  I will review a few of them.   Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and ADHD. Dyslexia accounts for 80% of all learning disorders, so it by far is the most common learning disability out there.

Dyslexia  Dyslexics have trouble with reading, writing and spelling, and often have very little else out of the ordinary.  Brain imaging in the last few years has brought about new understanding of the disability and as technology in that area quickly increases, we will understand more about dyslexia.  Brain images show that different areas of the brain are used for reading and writing (decoding and encoding) than are used by people without dyslexia. 

Dyslexics can show the following symptoms

·         Difficulty recognizing written words

·         Difficulty rhyming or sequencing syllables

·         Difficulty determining the meaning or main idea of a simple sentence

·         Difficulty encoding (this relates to writing) words – spelling

·         Poor sequencing of letters or numbers

·         Delayed spoken language

·         Difficulty separating the sounds in spoken words

·         Difficulty in expressing thoughts verbally

·         Confusion about right or left handedness

·         Difficulty with handwriting

·         Possible family history of dyslexia

http://www.ldonline.org/article/Dyslexia_and_High_School from LD Online, Dyslexia and High School

Dysgraphia  Dysgraphia is a difficulty writing coherently, if at all, regardless of ability to read. People with dysgraphia often can write, and may have a higher than average IQ, but lack co-ordination, and may find other fine motor tasks such as tying shoes difficult, although it often does not affect all fine motor skills. They can also lack basic spelling skills (having difficulties with p,q,b,d), and often will write the wrong word when trying to formulate thoughts (on paper).

In children, the disorder generally emerges when they are first introduced to writing. They make inappropriately sized and spaced letters, or write wrong or misspelled words despite thorough instruction. Children with the disorder may have other learning disabilities; however, they usually have no social or other academic problems.

Cases of dysgraphia in adults generally occur after some neurological trauma or it might be diagnosed in a person with autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Tourette syndrome or ADHD.

The DSM IV identifies dysgraphia as a “Disorder of Written Expression” as “writing skills (that) ...are substantially below those expected given the person’s ...age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education”.

 

TYPES OF DYSGRAPHIA

1)     Dyslexic dysgraphia

With dyslexic dysgraphia, spontaneously written work is illegible, copied work is fairly good, and spelling is bad. Finger tapping speed (a method for identifying fine motor problems) is normal, indicating the deficit does not likely stem from cerebellar damage. A Dyslexic Dysgraphic does not necessarily have dyslexia (dyslexia and dysgraphia appear to be unrelated).

2)     Motor dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is due to deficient fine motor skills, poor dexterity, poor muscle tone, and/or unspecified motor clumsiness. Generally, written work is poor to illegible, even if copied by sight from another document. Letter formation may be acceptable in very short samples of writing, but this requires extreme effort and an unreasonable amount of time to accomplish, and cannot be sustained for a significant length of time. Spelling skills are not impaired. Finger tapping speed results are below normal.

3)     Spatial dysgraphia

Dysgraphia due to a defect in the understanding of space has illegible spontaneously written work, illegible copied work, normal spelling, but normal tapping speed.
Some children may have a combination of any two or all three of these. Symptoms in actuality may vary in presentation from what is listed here.

SYMPTOMS OF DYSGRAPHIA

·         A mixture of upper/lower case letters

·         irregular letter sizes and shapes

·         unfinished letters

·         struggle to use writing as a communications tool

·         odd writing grip

·         many spelling mistakes (sometimes)

·         pain when writing

·         decreased or increased speed of writing and copying

·         talks to self while writing

·         general illegibility.

·         Reluctance or refusal to complete writing tasks.

Many people who are dysgraphic will experience pain while writing. The pain usually starts in the center of the forearm and then spreads along the nervous system to the entire body. This pain can get worse or even appear when a dysgraphic is stressed. Few people who do not have dysgraphia know about this, because many with dysgraphia will not mention it to anyone. This may be because they think pain in normal when writing, or that people won’t believe them.

TREATMENT OF DYSGRAPHIA

·         Treatment for dysgraphia varies and may include treatment for motor disorders to help control writing movements. Other treatments may address impaired memory or other neurological problems.

·         Some physicians recommend that individuals with dysgraphia use computers to avoid the problems of handwriting.

Occupational therapy should be considered to:

·         correct an inefficient pencil grasp

·         strengthen muscle tone

·         improve dexterity

·         evaluate eye-hand coordination.

·         Dysgraphic children should also be evaluated for ambidexterity, which can delay fine motor skills in early childhood.

VISION THERAPY

People who struggle with symptoms of dysgraphia usually benefit from vision therapy. Seventy percent of what a child learns in school is processed through the visual system. Even a minor visual processing problem will interfere with a child or adult performing to their potential and could cause symptoms of dysgraphia.

Symptoms of vision problems include:
• Avoidance of near work
• Frequent loss of place
• Omission, insertion, or rereading of letters and words
•Confusion with similar looking words
• Failure to recognize the same word in the next sentence.

ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  Below is a listing of symptoms.  At least six symptoms must be prevalent for three of more months in more than one environment

The symptoms of ADHD fall into the following two broad categories:

The first is Inattention and can include:
• Failing to pay close attention to details
• Making careless mistakes when doing schoolwork or other activities 
• Trouble keeping attention focused during play or tasks 
• Appearing not to listen when spoken to 
• Failing to follow instructions or finish tasks 
• Avoiding tasks that require a high amount of mental effort and organization
• Frequently losing items required to facilitate tasks or activities
• Excessive distractibility and forgetfulness 
• Procrastination, inability to begin an activity 
• Difficulties with household activities.

 The second category is Hyperactivity-impulsive behavior, including:
• Fidgeting with hands or feet or squirming in seat 
• Leaving seat often, even when inappropriate 
• Running or climbing at inappropriate times 
• Difficulty in quiet play 
• Frequently feeling restless 
• Excessive speech 
• Answering a question before the speaker has finished 
• Failing to await one’s turn 
• Interrupting the activities of others at inappropriate times 
• Impulsive spending, leading to financial difficulties.