# Learning disability From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from [Learning disorder](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Learning_disorder&redirect=no "Learning disorder")) *For general learning disability, see [Intellectual disability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_disability "Intellectual disability")."Slow learner" redirects here. For the collection of short stories by Thomas Pynchon, see [Slow Learner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Learner "Slow Learner").* | **Learning disability** | | ------------------- | | Other names | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Take_a_picture_with_a_proud_dyslexic.jpg) | | People at a *Learning Disabilities Month* event[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_disability#cite_note-5) | | [Specialty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_specialty "Medical specialty") | | [Disability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability "Disability") | | ---------- | | **Theory and models** | | **Education** | | **Therapy** | | **Societal implications** | | **Personal assistance** | | **Socioeconomic assistance** | | **Groups Organizations** | | **[Parasports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasports "Parasports")** | | **[Culture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability_culture "Disability culture")** | | **![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/16px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png "Category" =16x16) [Disability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Disability "Category:Disability")[Lists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Disability-related_lists "Category:Disability-related lists")** | | | **Learning disability**, **learning disorder**, or **learning difficulty** (British English) is a condition in the brain that causes difficulties comprehending or processing information and can be caused by several different factors. Given the "difficulty learning in a typical manner", this does not exclude the ability to learn in a different manner. Therefore, some people can be more accurately described as having a "learning difference", thus avoiding any misconception of being disabled with a lack of ability to learn and possible negative stereotyping. In the United Kingdom, the term "learning disability" generally refers to an [intellectual disability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_disability "Intellectual disability"), while difficulties such as [dyslexia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyslexia "Dyslexia") and [dyspraxia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyspraxia "Dyspraxia") are usually referred to as "learning difficulties".[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_disability#cite_note-6) While *learning disability* and *learning disorder* are often used interchangeably, they differ in many ways. Disorder refers to significant learning problems in an academic area. These problems, however, are not enough to warrant an official diagnosis. Learning disability, on the other hand, is an official clinical diagnosis, whereby the individual meets certain criteria, as determined by a professional (such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, speech-language pathologist, or pediatrician). The difference is in degree, frequency, and intensity of reported symptoms and problems, and thus the two should not be confused. When the term "learning disorder" is used, it describes a group of disorders characterized by inadequate development of specific academic, language, and speech skills.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_disability#cite_note-ChildhoodVoyagesinDevelopmentThirdEdition-7) Types of learning disorders include reading ([dyslexia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyslexia "Dyslexia")), arithmetic ([dyscalculia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyscalculia "Dyscalculia")), and writing ([dysgraphia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysgraphia "Dysgraphia")).[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_disability#cite_note-ChildhoodVoyagesinDevelopmentThirdEdition-7) The unknown factor is the disorder that affects the [brain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_brain "Human brain")'s ability to receive and process information. This disorder can make it problematic for a person to learn as quickly or in the same way as someone who is not affected by a learning disability. People with a learning disability have trouble performing specific types of skills or completing tasks if left to figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways. Individuals with learning disabilities can face unique challenges that are often pervasive throughout their lifespan. Depending on the type and severity of the disability, interventions, and current technologies may be used to help the individual learn strategies that will foster future success. Some interventions can be quite simplistic, while others are intricate and complex. Current technologies may require student training to be effective classroom supports. Teachers, parents, and schools can create plans together that tailor intervention and accommodations to aid the individuals in successfully becoming independent learners. A multi-disciplinary team frequently helps to design the intervention and to coordinate the execution of the intervention with teachers and parents.[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_disability#cite_note-Reeder_44%E2%80%9357-8) This team frequently includes school psychologists, special educators, speech therapists (pathologists), occupational therapists, psychologists, ESL teachers, literacy coaches, and/or reading specialists. --- source and more information at:\ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_disability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_disability) * Text is available under the [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_3.0_Unported_License); additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the [Terms of Use](https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Terms_of_Use) and [Privacy Policy](https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Privacy_policy). 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