Learning disabilities: dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia

Learning disabilities are problems that affect the brain's ability to receive, process, analyse, or store information. Learning disability does not have anything to do with a person's intelligence. There are many kinds of learning disabilities and most students affected by them have more than one kind. Learning disabilities usually first show up when a person has difficulty in speaking, reading, writing, figuring out a math problem, communicating with a parent, or paying attention in class. The causes are still unknown, but there are some different theories: genetic influences, brain development and environmental impacts.

Dyslexia The word dyslexia comes from two Greek words: dys, which means abnormal or impaired, and lexis, which refers to language or words. When people with dyslexia read, they use different parts of the brain than people without dyslexia. The brains of people with dyslexia do not work efficiently during reading. They also have difficulties in recognizing short, familiar words, or to pronounce longer words. The meaning of the word is often lost and reading comprehension is poor. A student with dyslexia may get more time to complete tests, permission to record class lectures or copies of lecture notes.

Dyscalculia is a brain-based condition that makes it hard to make sense of numbers and math concepts. Dyscalculia goes by many names, some public schools refer to it as a "mathematics learning disability", or doctors call it a " mathematic disorder". The most common problem is with "number sense": children cannot understand how numbers work, and how to compare and estimate quantities on a number line. Researchers do not know exactly what causes dyscalculia. But they have identified certain factors that indicate it is a brain-based condition: genes and heredity, brain, environment, brain injury. Dyscalculia tends to become more apparent as children get older.

Dysgraphia is a specific learning disability that affects written expression. It is a neurological disorder that generally appears when children are learning to write. Experts are not sure what causes it , but early treatment can help prevent or reduce problems. It requires not only the ability to organize and express ideas in the mind, but also the capacity to get the muscles in the hands and fingers to form those ideas, letter by letter, on paper. Educational psychologists use a series of tests to determine if a person has this disability. There are many ways to help a person with dysgraphia. Generally, strategies fall into three categorie: Accomodation: providing alternatives to written expression; Modifications: changing expectations or tasks to minimize or avoid the area of weakness; Remediation: providing instruction for improving handwriting and writing skills.