If you have a learning problem, it doesn't mean you can't learn. But you'll need
some help and you'll need to work extra hard. If you have a learning disability, such
as dyslexia or dyscalculia (serious trouble with math), remember that you are not
slow or dumb.
Learning problems happen because of the way the brain takes in and processes information.
As a result, some people learn differently. The trick will be figuring out how you
learn best.
There are people who know how to do just that. Your parents and teachers can help
you and they can find you a learning specialist or a school psychologist. These professionals
can help figure out what a kid's learning problem is — and come up with ideas
for how to make it better.
What Are Learning Disabilities?
Learning disabilities aren't contagious, but they can be genetic.
That means they can be passed down in families through the genes, like many other
traits we get from our parents and grandparents. Someone with a learning problem probably
has other family members who have had some learning troubles, too.
Kids with learning problems are sometimes surprised to find out that one of their
parents had similar troubles in school. But kids today have an advantage over their
parents. Learning experts now know a lot more about the brain
and how learning works — so it's easier for kids to get the help they need.
Dyslexia (say: diss-LEKS-ee-uh) is a learning disability that
means a kid has a lot of trouble reading and writing. Kids who have trouble with math
may have dyscalculia (say: diss-kal-KYOO-lee-uh). And people who
have trouble forming letters when they write may have dysgraphia
(say: diss-GRAF-ee-uh). Other kids may have language disorders, meaning they have
trouble understanding language and understanding what they read.
It can be confusing, though. What qualifies as "trouble" enough to be diagnosed
as a learning disability? Reading, doing math, and writing letters may be tough for
lots of kids at first. But when those early troubles don't fade away, and it's really
difficult to make any progress, it's possible the kid has a learning disability.
Attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) is sometimes thought of as a learning disability but usually it's
not. Why? Because most kids with ADHD can learn in school without special assistance,
even though they may be easily distracted or have trouble sitting still in class.
Although ADHD itself isn't a learning disability, researchers believe kids with ADHD
may be more likely to have learning problems.