Learning Disability (LD) is a broad umbrella term that describes several disorders affecting learning but does not equate with Learning Disorder, which is a general term. LD is a specific disorder involving specific neurodevelopmental weaknesses or dysfunctions, which prevent expected
learning in one or more academic area. Examples include Dyslexia and Dyscalculia.

The child’s main problems often revolve around perceptual deficits and/or phonological processing & coding-decoding issues. This makes them have problems either in mathematics or language subjects in specific ways. Reading, writing and spelling will all be affected.

Learning disability like dyslexia and dyscalculia can affect a child’s academic performance
If your child has the any of the following Red Flags, the presence of an LD needs to be considered:

• Initial speech and language delay (may be mild)
• Problems with learning to read and spell
• Dysfluency and halting oral reading
• Difficulty following directions
• Difficulty with short term memory
• Increasing frustration with academics

The child with LD usually has near normal, normal or even high intelligence. However, due to her LD, she is often deemed as being an underachiever or is thought to be lazy and careless. There may be attention issues, maladjustments and emotional difficulties. Learning becomes a bad experience and often, a vicious cycle is set.

It is important that the child receives early attention and be taught different learning strategies from the usual pen and paper skills. Early assessment and intervention will make a lot of difference to the outcomes.