What is a Learning Disability or ADHD
What is a learning disability?
The Learning Disability Association of America defines a learning disability as a “neurological condition that interferes with one’s ability to store, process or produce information. Learning disabilities can affect one’s ability to read, write, speak, spell, compute math, reason and also affect a person’s attention, memory, coordination, social skills and emotional maturity.” (https://ldaamerica.org/support/new-to-ld/#defining).
LDA states that someone with a learning disability might display some (not necessarily all) of the following characteristics:
- Confuses numbers and letters when reading and/or writing
- Struggles comprehending oral and/or written language
- Hears sounds, words, sentences incorrectly
- Reads well but doesn’t write well, or vice-versa
- Can express ideas orally but not in writing
- Struggles with writing (sentence structure, writing mechanics, grammar, spelling and organizing ideas)
- Struggles remembering math facts
- Struggles remembering and following sequential, multi-step math procedures
- Struggles with memorization
- Has a short attention span
- Has poor social skills
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
According to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association, ADHD is a neurological condition that interferes with the brain’s executive functioning (efficient management of one’s thoughts, emotions and actions), manifesting itself in a persistent pattern of inattention, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity that significantly hinders daily functioning. (https://add.org/adhd-facts/).
Both the Attention Deficit Disorder Association and Dr. Ed Hallowell, director of the Hallowell Center (http://www.drhallowell.com/add-adhd/), state that someone with ADHD might display some (not necessarily all) of the following characteristics:
- Struggles inhibiting impulses
- Struggles becoming and remaining organized
- Struggles focusing and sustaining attention and effort until task is completed
- Searches for high stimulation
- Has low tolerance for frustration and boredom
- Juggles many projects simultaneously
- Struggles following established procedures
- Is often creative, intuitive and intelligent
- Is often physically and/or cognitively restless
- Worries Excessively
- Has low self-esteem
Additional signs of a possibly undiagnosed Learning Disability or ADHD:
- Parental over-involvement in daily life to remind, plan and problem-solve
- History of working with tutors or needing informal classroom adjustments prior to college
- Slower at completing work compared to others
- Grades do not reflect the extent of studying
- The presence of depression, anxiety, substance abuse or other emotional problems––conditions often coexisting with LD and ADHD
- Family history of LD and/or ADHD