Mental Health

Learning Disabilities -Types and Diagnosis

Different types of learning disabilities:

Learning disabilities are divided into three broad categories, each with more specific designations:

Developmental speech and language disorders are usually the first indication that a person has a learning disability.

Signs and symptoms include: not producing speech sounds, not using spoken language to communicate, and/or not understanding what other people say. Depending on the problem, the specific diagnosis may be:
- developmental articulation disorder - controlling the rate of speech
- developmental expressive language disorder - problems expressing themselves in speech
- developmental receptive language disorder - trouble understanding certain aspects of speech

Children with academic skills disorders are behind their classmates in developing reading, writing, or arithmetic skills. The diagnoses in this category include:

developmental reading disorder - also known as dyslexia
developmental writing disorder - involves several brain areas and functions and creates problems in vocabulary, grammar, hand movement, and memory
developmental arithmetic disorder - involves problems with recognizing numbers and symbols, memorizing facts such as the multiplication table, aligning numbers, and understanding abstract concepts like place value and fractions

Other - includes certain coordination disorders and learning handicaps not covered by other terms; additional categories such as "motor skills disorders" and "specific developmental disorders not otherwise specified."

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not considered to be a learning disability, however, because it can affect performance in school, it is often included in the list.

How are learning disabilities diagnosed?

Not all learning problems are necessarily learning disabilities. Children show natural differences in their rate of development, and some are simply slower in developing certain skills. What seems to be a learning disability may simply be a delay in maturation. To be diagnosed as a learning disability, specific criteria must be met.

The NIMH states that "By law, learning disability is defined as a significant gap between a person's intelligence and the skills the person has achieved at each age." Criteria and characteristics for diagnosing learning disabilities are listed in a reference book commonly called "the DSM" (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). The actual diagnosis of a learning disability is made by using standardized tests that compare the child's level of ability to what is considered normal development for a person of that age and intelligence.

Each type of learning disability is diagnosed in slightly different ways.

Speech and language disorders -- a speech therapist tests the pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar skills; a psychologist tests intelligence; a physician checks for ear infections (an audiologist may be consulted to rule out auditory problems) and may examine child's vocal cords and throat.
Academic skills disorders -- development in reading, writing, and math is evaluated using standardized tests; vision and hearing are also tested.
ADHD -- diagnosed by checking for the long-term presence of specific behaviors, such as considerable fidgeting, losing things, interrupting, talking excessively, an inability to remain seated, stay on task, or take turns.

This page was last updated on: February 5, 2008.

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