DSO: Learning Disabilities

Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities, commonly referred to as LD, are permanent neurological conditions that affect a person’s ability to receive, organize, express, and remember information. For many people with learning disabilities, the capacity for learning is intact, but the manner in which the learned information is processed is impaired.

Traditionally, the disability is demonstrated by a significant discrepancy between expected and actual performance in one or more of the following basic functions: memory, oral expression, listening comprehension, written expression, reading skills, reading comprehension, mathematical calculation, and mathematical reasoning. The severity of learning disabilities varies from person to person and is often inconsistent within an individual. Some manifestations of learning disabilities include dyslexia, a neurological condition that hampers the ability to read or write proficiently; dyscalculia, a genetically-linked disability that impairs the learning or comprehending of mathematics; dysgraphia, which causes great difficulty in writing; dysphasia, an inability to speak with fluency or to understand others; figure-ground perception, auditory figure-ground perception, auditory sequencing, and visual discrimination.

Types of learning disabilities

Dyslexia: inability to read quickly and proficiently, often times letters are transposed, or they appeared "jumbled" to the reader
Dyscalculia: extreme difficulty and often times an inability to fully understand and utilize mathematical concepts, often times an inability to use mathematical symbols correctly, difficulty with simple computation
Dysgraphia: inability to write words with appropriate syntax, extreme difficulty in writing
Dysphasia: inability to speak with fluency or sometimes to understand others
Figure-ground perception: inability to see an object from a background of other objects
Visual discrimination: inability to see the difference in objects
Auditory figure-ground perception: inability to hear one sound among others
Auditory sequencing: inability to hear sounds in the right order

Students may demonstrate one or more problem characteristics and the form may be mild, moderate, or severe:
Study Skills

inability to organize and budget time effectively
inability to take notes/outline material effectively
inability to follow directions effectively
inability to complete assignments on time

Writing Skills

frequent spelling errors
incorrect grammar
poor penmanship
poor sentence structure
inability to effectively take notes while listening to class lectures
problems with organization, development of ideas and transition words

Oral Language

inability to effectively understand oral language when lecturer speaks fast
inability to effectively attend to long lectures
poor vocabulary and word recall
problems with correct grammar
inability to effectively remember a series of events in sequence
inability to effectively pronounce multi-syllabic words

Reading Skills

slow reading rate
inaccurate comprehension
poor retention
poor tracking skills (skip words, loose place, miss lines)
difficulty with complex syntax on tests
incomplete mastery of phonics

Math Skills

computational skill difficulties
difficulty with reasoning
difficulty with basic math operations (multiplication tables)
number reversals, confusion of symbols
difficulty copying problems
difficulty with concepts of time, money

Social Skills

spatial disorientation
low frustration level
low self-esteem
impulsive
disorientation in time
difficulty with delaying problem resolution

General services available for students with learning disabilities
The accommodations for students with Learning Disabilities vary from student to student based on their documentation that is on file with the DSO. The student must see his/her service provider in order to discuss the reasonable accommodations that he/she qualifies for based on his/her documentation. Listed below are the general reasonable accommodations for which students with Learning Disabilities have been eligible; you may want to note the accommodations that you are qualified for based on your documentation.

Testing Accommodations

Classroom Accommodations

Classroom Support

Audio Tapes
Priority Registration