Catanduanes State University

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Virac, Catanduanes

LEARNING DISABILITIES:

TYPOLOGIES, CAUSES AND REMEDIES

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements in Child and Adolescent

Development (EDUC 1)

1st Semester SY 2017-2018

Submitted by

Mark Justine T. Canonoy

Shandee Jeanne T. Magdaraog

Nestle Ogalinola

BEED- Executive Class, Saturday 3:00 – 6:00 pm

Submitted to

Prof. John Cyrus B. Francis

Abstract

Understanding learning disabilities or learning disorders is very essential for both educators

and parents. They must focus, not only the physical growth and development of children but also

their mental development. Early detection for such disability leads to helping a child cope up with

the said disability.

Learning disability is considered as a hidden disability characterized by poor academic

performance, delayed physical development accompanied by academic, social, and psychological

problems. (Acero, Javier, Castro, 2004)

There are different types of learning disabilities such as, dysarthria-stuttering, dysgraphia-

writing, motor aphasia-speaking, visual agnosia-sight, auditory agnosia-hearing, olfactory

agnosia-smelling, dyscalculia-math, and dyslexia-reading. (Acero, Javier, Castro, 2004)

There are three general rule causes of learning disability: 1) problematic pregnancies

before, during, and after delivery causing minimal brain injury or brain dysfunction, 2)

biochemical imbalance acquired from artificial food colourings and flavourings in many of the

foods children take, and 3) environmental factors such as poor quality of instruction, emotional

disturbance, and lack of motivation. (Acero, Javier, Castro, 2004)

LEARNING DISABILITIES: TYPOLOGIES, CAUSES AND REMEDIES

I. INTRODUCTION

Does your child struggle with school? Does he or she dread reading out loud, writing an

essay, or tackling a math problem? While every kid has trouble with homework from time to

time, if a certain area of learning is consistently problematic, it might indicate a learning

disorder. By understanding all you can about learning disabilities, you can ensure your child

gets the right help to overcome classroom challenges and succeed in life.

a) DEFINITION OF LEARNING DISABILITY

Learning disability, any various conditions that interfere with an individual’s ability to

learn and so result in impaired functioning in language, reasoning, or academic skills that are

thought to be caused by difficulties in processing and integration information. (Merriam-

Webster Dictionary)

Learning Disabilities (LDs) are neurological disorders that impede a learner’s ability to

store, process and produce information properly. (De Guzman, Adamos, 2015)

Learning disabilities are problems that affect the brain's ability to receive, process, analyze,

or store information. These problems can make it difficult for a student to learn as quickly as

someone who isn't affected by learning disabilities.

 Learning disability is a classification that includes several areas of functioning in which a

person has difficulty learning in a typical manner, usually caused by an unknown factor or 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 UK, the term Learning Disability generally refers an

Intellectual Disability and difficulties such as Dyslexia and Dyspraxia are usually referred to as

Learning Difficulties. (Wikipedia, 2017)

II. THE LEARNING DISABILITIES (LDs)

A learning disability is a neurological disorder. In simple terms, a learning disability results

from a difference in the way a person's brain is "wired." Children with learning disabilities are as

smart as or smarter than their peers. But they may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, and

reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information if left to figure things out by themselves or if

taught in conventional ways.

b) TYPES OF LEARNING DISABILITY

Problems with reading, writing, and math Learning disabilities are often grouped by school-

area skill set. If your child is in school, the types of learning disorders that are most conspicuous

usually revolve around reading, writing, or math.

Learning disabilities in reading (dyslexia)

There are two types of learning disabilities in reading. Basic reading problems occur when

there is difficulty understanding the relationship between sounds, letters and words. Reading
comprehension problems occur when there is an inability to grasp the meaning of words, phrases,

and paragraphs. Signs of reading difficulty include problems with: letter and word recognition

understanding words and ideas reading speed and fluency general vocabulary skills.

Learning disabilities in math (dyscalculia)

Learning disabilities in math vary greatly depending on the child’s other strengths and

weaknesses. A child’s ability to do math will be affected differently by a language learning

disability, or a visual disorder or a difficulty with sequencing, memory or organization.

A child with a math-based learning disorder may struggle with memorization and organization of

numbers, operation signs, and number “facts” (like 5+5=10 or 5x5=25). Children with math

learning disorders might also have trouble with counting principles (such as counting by twos or

counting by fives) or have difficulty telling time.

Learning disabilities in writing (dysgraphia)

Learning disabilities in writing can involve the physical act of writing or the mental

activity of comprehending and synthesizing information. Basic writing disorder refers to physical

difficulty forming words and letters. Expressive writing disability indicates a struggle to organize

thoughts on paper. Symptoms of a written language learning disability revolve around the act of

writing. They include problems with: neatness and consistency of writing accurately copying

letters and words spelling consistency writing organization and coherence

Other types of learning disabilities and disorders

Reading, writing, and math aren’t the only skills impacted by learning disorders. Other

types of learning disabilities involve difficulties with motor skills (movement and coordination),
understanding spoken language, distinguishing between sounds, and interpreting visual

information.

Learning disabilities in motor skills (dyspraxia)

Motor difficulty refers to problems with movement and coordination whether it is with

fine motor skills (cutting, writing) or gross motor skills (running, jumping). A motor disability is

sometimes referred to as an “output” activity meaning that it relates to the output of information

from the brain. In order to run, jump, write or cut something, the brain must be able to communicate

with the necessary limbs to complete the action. Signs that your child might have a motor

coordination disability include problems with physical abilities that require hand-eye coordination,

like holding a pencil or buttoning a shirt.

Learning disabilities in language (aphasia/dysphasia)

Language and communication learning disabilities involve the ability to understand or

produce spoken language. Language is also considered an output activity because it requires

organizing thoughts in the brain and calling upon the right words to verbally explain something or

communicate with someone else. Signs of a language-based learning disorder involve problems

with verbal language skills, such as the ability to retell a story and the fluency of speech, as well

as the ability to understand the meaning of words, parts of speech, directions, etc.
Auditory and visual processing problems: the importance of the ears and eyes

The eyes and the ears are the primary means of delivering information to the brain, a

process sometimes called “input.” If either the eyes or the ears aren’t working properly, learning

can suffer.

Auditory processing disorder – Professionals may refer to the ability to hear well as “auditory

processing skills” or “receptive language.” The ability to hear things correctly greatly impacts the

ability to read, write and spell. An inability to distinguish subtle differences in sound, or hearing

sounds at the wrong speed make it difficult to sound out words and understand the basic concepts

of reading and writing.

Visual processing disorder – Problems in visual perception include missing subtle differences in

shapes, reversing letters or numbers, skipping words, skipping lines, misperceiving depth or

distance, or having problems with eye–hand coordination. Professionals may refer to the work of

the eyes as “visual processing.” Visual perception can affect gross and fine motor skills, reading

comprehension, and math.

Common types of learning disabilities

Dyslexia – Difficulty with reading

 Problems reading, writing, spelling, speaking

Dyscalculia – Difficulty with math

 Problems doing math problems, understanding time, using money

Dysgraphia – Difficulty with writing

 Problems with handwriting, spelling, organizing ideas

Dyspraxia (Sensory Integration Disorder) – Difficulty with fine motor skills

 Problems with hand-eye coordination, balance, manual dexterity

Dysphasia/Aphasia – Difficulty with language

 Problems understanding spoken language, poor reading comprehension

Auditory Processing Disorder – Difficulty hearing differences between sounds

 Problems with reading, comprehension, language

Visual Processing Disorder – Difficulty interpreting visual information

 Problems with reading, math, maps, charts, symbols, pictures

Other disorders that make learning difficult

Difficulty in school doesn’t always stem from a learning disability. Anxiety, depression,

stressful events, emotional trauma, and other conditions affecting concentration make learning

more of a challenge. In addition, ADHD and autism sometimes co-occur or are confused with

learning disabilities.

ADHD – Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (/articles/add-adhd/attentiondeficit-

disorder-adhd-in-children.htm), while not considered a learning disability, can certainly disrupt

learning. Children with ADHD often have problems sitting still, staying focused, following

instructions, staying organized, and completing homework.

Autism – Difficulty mastering certain academic skills can stem from pervasive developmental

disorders such as autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Children with autism spectrum disorders

(/articles/autism/autism-spectrum-disorders.htm) may have trouble communicating, reading body

language, learning basic skills, making friends, and making eye contact.

c) CAUSES OF LEARNING DISABILITY

The causes for learning disabilities are not well understood, and sometimes there is no apparent

cause for a learning disability. However, some causes of neurological impairments include:
Brain Damage/ Accidents after Birth

Some believe that all learning disabled children suffer from some form of brain injury. The

suspected brain damage is not considered extensive enough to cause a generalized and severe

learning problem across all kinds of intellectual development like mental retardation. So the

children are often referred to as minimally brain damaged or as minimally dysfunctional if there

is no evidence of brain damage where most of the learning disabled children belong.

Heredity and genetics

Learning disabilities often run in the family. Children with learning disabilities are likely

to have parents or other relatives with similar difficulties. Some children have spontaneous

mutations (i.e. not present in either parent) which can cause developmental disorders including

learning disabilities. One study estimated that about one in 300 children had such spontaneous

mutations, for example a fault in the CDK13 gene which is associated with learning and

communication difficulties in the children affected.

Problems during pregnancy and birth

Learning disabilities can result from anomalies in the developing brain, illness or injury,

fetal exposure to alcohol or drugs, low birth weight, oxygen deprivation, or by premature or

prolonged labor.

Environmental Factors

There are three types of environmental influences that are related to children’s learning

problems: emotional disturbances, lack of motivation, and poor instruction. Many children with

learning problems have behaviour disorders as well. Whether one causes the other or whether both
caused by some other factors, is uncertain at his time. In addition, it is difficult to identify

reinforcing activities for some learning disabled students; they may not be interested in many of

the things “normal” children like. Some research studies have shown that finding a key to the

child’s motivational problem can sometimes solve his learning problem as well.

One variable that is likely to be a major contributor to children’s learning problem is the quality

of instruction they receive. Poor instruction contributes a lot to learning disabilities. Many learning

problems can be remediated by direct, systematic instruction.

Other Factors Contributing to Learning Disabilities

Other contributing factors that interfere with learning are:

 Physical conditions that may contribute to learning disability include visual and hearing

defects, confused laterality and spatial orientation, poor body image, hyperkinesis, under-

nourishment, and other physical problems that can inhibit the child’s ability to learn.

 Psychological conditions refer to developmental learning disabilities which include

attention disorder, poor auditory or visual perception and discrimination, language delay

or disorder, inadequate thinking abilities, defective short-term auditory or visual memory

and so on.

 Environmental factors refer to conditions in the home, community, and school that may

adversely affect the child’s normal development psychologically and academically. These
 include traumatic experiences, family pressures, instructional inadequacies, or lack of

school experience. It is important that the environmental conditions contribute to deficits

in psychological processes of memory, attention, etc.

d) Classification of Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities can be classified under two broad categories: 1) academic learning disabilities

and 2) developmental learning disabilities.

1) Academic Learning Disabilities – refer to a significant inhibition of a blockage in learning

to read, to write, to spell, or to compute arithmetically. A child is generally considered

learning disabled when there is a wide discrepancy between the child’s potential and his or

her academic achievement.

2) Developmental Learning Disabilities – refer to deviations in the development of a

number of psychological and linguistic functions that normally unfold as the child grows

up. In some instances, the association between developmental and academic difficulties

may be subscribed as a lack of prerequisite skills. For example, before children learn to

write they must develop certain memory, and sequencing abilities. In learning to read,

children need visual and auditory discrimination, ability, and memory, the ability to see

relationship, and to learn from the redundancies of experience, and the ability to

concentrate their attention. Some of these developmental disabilities are:

a) Language Disorder – Generally, the child does not talk like older siblings at a similar

age, or does not respond adequately to directions or verbal statements.

b) Thinking Disabilities – these are difficulties in the cognitive operations of concept

formation, problem-solving, and association of ideas. Problem-solving, one form of

 cognitive behaviour in the learning hierarchy, requires the analysis and synthesis of

information and assists the individual in responding to new and different situations.

Concept formation is represented by the ability to classify objects and events.

c) Memory Deficits – are the inability to remember or recall what has been heard or seen

or experienced either visual or auditory. Children with marked memory problems may

have difficulty to read or recall visual appearance and auditory memory which may

interfere with the child’s development of oral language.

d) Attention Disorder – is the result of delayed development in the capacity to employ

and sustain selective attention. When the child attends and responds to too many

stimuli, he is considered distractible.

e) SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LEARNING DISABILITIES

Signs and symptoms of learning disabilities: Preschool age

 Problems pronouncing words

 Trouble finding the right word

 Difficulty rhyming Trouble learning the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, days of the

week

 Difficulty following directions or learning routines

 Difficulty controlling crayons, pencils, and scissors, or coloring within the lines

 Trouble with buttons, zippers, snaps, learning to tie shoes

Signs and symptoms of learning disabilities: Ages 5-9

 Trouble learning the connection between letters and sounds

 Unable to blend sounds to make words

  Confuses basic words when reading

 Slow to learn new skills

 Consistently misspells words and makes frequent errors

 Trouble learning basic math concepts

 Difficulty telling time and remembering sequences

Signs and symptoms of learning disabilities: Ages 10-13

 Difficulty with reading comprehension or math skills

 Trouble with open-ended test questions and word problems

 Dislikes reading and writing; avoids reading aloud

 Poor handwriting

 Poor organizational skills (bedroom, homework, desk is messy and disorganized)

 Trouble following classroom discussions and expressing thoughts aloud

 Spells the same word differently in a single document

Other Common Signs of Learning Disabilities

Preschool

 Speaks later than most children

 Pronunciation problems

 Slow vocabulary growth, often unable to find the right word

 Difficulty rhyming words

 Trouble learning numbers, alphabet, days of the week, colors, shapes

 Extremely restless and easily distracted

 Trouble interacting with peers

  Difficulty following directions or routines

 Fine motor skills slow to develop

Grades 1-4

 Slow to learn the connection between letters and sounds

 Confuses basic words (run, eat, want)

 Makes consistent reading and spelling errors including letter reversals (b/d), inversions

(m/w), transpositions (felt/left), and substitutions (house/home)

 Transposes number sequences and confuses arithmetic signs (+, -, x, /, =)

 Slow to remember facts

 Slow to learn new skills, relies heavily on memorization

 Impulsive, difficulty planning

 Unstable pencil grip

 Trouble learning about time

 Poor coordination, unaware of physical surroundings, prone to accidents

Grades 5-8

 Reverses letter sequences (soiled/solid, left/felt)

 Slow to learn prefixes, suffixes, root words, and other spelling strategies

 Avoids reading aloud

 Trouble with word problems

 Difficulty with handwriting

 Awkward, fist-like, or tight pencil grip

  Avoids writing assignments

 Slow or poor recall of facts

 Difficulty making friends

 Trouble understanding body language and facial expressions

High School Students and Adults

 Continues to spell incorrectly, frequently spells the same word differently in a single piece

of writing

 Avoids reading and writing tasks

 Trouble summarizing

 Trouble with open-ended questions on tests

 Weak memory skills

 Difficulty adjusting to new settings

 Works slowly

 Poor grasp of abstract concepts

 Either pays too little attention to details or focuses on them too much

 Misreads information

Hope for learning disabilities: The brain can change

Science has made great strides in understanding the inner workings of the brain, and one

important discovery that brings new hope for learning disabilities and disorders is called

neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s natural, lifelong ability to change. Throughout

life, the brain is able to form new connections and generate new brain cells in response to

experience and learning.

 This knowledge has led to ground breaking new treatments for learning disabilities that

take advantage of the brain’s ability to change. Innovative programs, such as the Arrowsmith

program, use strategic brain exercises to identify and strengthen weak cognitive areas. For

example, for children who have difficulty distinguishing between different sounds in a word, there

are new computer-based learning programs that slow down the sounds so that children can

understand them and gradually increase their speed of comprehension.

These discoveries about neuroplasticity provide hope to all students with learning

disorders, and further research may lead to additional new treatments that target the actual causes

of learning disabilities, rather than simply offering coping strategies to compensate for

weaknesses.

Diagnosis and testing for learning disabilities and disorders

As you’ve already learned, diagnosing a learning disability isn’t always easy. Don’t

assume you know what your child’s problem is, even if the symptoms seem clear. It’s important

to have your child tested and evaluated by a qualified professional.

That said, you should trust your instincts. If you think something is wrong, listen to your

gut. If you feel that a teacher or doctor is minimizing your concerns, seek a second opinion. Don’t

let anyone tell you to “wait and see” or “don’t worry about it” if you see your child struggling.

Regardless of whether or not your child’s problems are due to a learning disability, intervention is

needed. You can’t go wrong by looking into the issue and taking action

Keep in mind that finding someone who can help may take some time and effort. Even

experts mix up learning disabilities with ADHD and other behavioral problems sometimes. You

may have to look around a bit or try more than one professional.
 In the meantime, try to be patient, and remember that you won’t always get clear answers.

Try not to get too caught up in trying to determine the label for your child’s disorder. Leave that

to the professionals. Focus instead on steps you can take to support your child and address his or

her symptoms in practical ways.

The diagnosis and testing process for learning disabilities

Diagnosing a learning disability is a process. It involves testing, history taking, and

observation by a trained specialist. Finding a reputable referral is important. Start with your child's

school, and if they are unable to help you, ask your insurance company, doctor, or friends and

family who have dealt successfully with learning disabilities.

Types of specialists who may be able to test for and diagnose learning disabilities include:

1. Clinical psychologists

2. School psychologists

3. Child psychiatrists

4. Educational psychologists

5. Developmental psychologists

6. Neuropsychologist

7. Psychometrist

8. Occupational therapist (tests sensory disorders that can lead to learning problems)

9. Speech and language therapist

Sometimes several professionals coordinate services as a team to obtain an accurate

diagnosis. They may ask for input from your child's teachers. Recommendations can then be made

for special education services or speech-language therapy within the school system. A non-public
school that specializes in treating learning disabilities might be a good alternative if the public

school is not working out. For a list of non-public schools in your area go to the website for your

state's Department of Education.

Not all great minds think alike

Did you know that Albert Einstein couldn't read until he was nine? Walt Disney, General George

Patton, and Vice President Nelson Rockefeller had trouble reading all their lives. Whoopi

Goldberg and Charles Schwab and many others have learning disabilities which haven't affected

their ultimate success.

Here are some famous scientist/ inventors with learning disability:

Many people are born with certain learning disabilities but who says that they cannot

contribute productivity to the society. Numerous scientists equipped with learning disabilities

like deafness, paralysis or dyslexia have brought out number of inventions and discoveries

responsible for taking the life standards of people to the next level.

Here is a list of scientists who have contributed largely to the benefits of our society irrespective

of their learning disabilities.

1. Thomas Alva Edison

The most renowned scientist who ignited the dark origins of the world. Yes, the famous electric

light inventor, Thomas Alva Edison was born with a hearing disability and could not manage to

develop reading skills until the age of twelve which also impacted his writing smarts. Apart from

his popular invention of electric light, he also devised record player and cinematic camera. He

didn’t let his ailments intervene his potentiality and talent to create something exotic.
2. Albert Einstein

The German born philosopher, Albert Einstein discovered the concept of relativity. He is the

same person whose equation E=mc2 marked tremendous popularity across the globe. The Nobel

Prize winner in physics suffered from Aspersers syndrome, having problems while interacting

and communicating. He never allowed his dyslexic problem to let him down.

3. Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking developed his own set of theories relating to the popular science. Hit by a

motor neurone disease which requires him to de dependent on a motorized wheel chair and

communicate through a voice generating machine, this English theoretical physicist has given

many insights to the mysterious universe, time and cosmos.. This amazing personality was not

good at health but brilliant at mind. His theories and philosophies about the nature and origins of

universe had blown away people with his realm of possibility.

4. Leonardo Da Vinci

Greatly enveloped with numerous expertise, Leonardo Da Vinci was a master in painting,

engineering, music, inventions, mathematics, architecture, sculpting, botany and writing. It is

tough to find such diversely skilful personality in today’s generation. Born with dyslexic

disorder, he never restricted himself from encouraging technological developments. With the

help of a few more scientists, he encouraged new revolution in science and technology.

5. Alexander Graham Bell

The famous personality behind connecting people from different parts of the world has achieved

immense popularity in the past. Alexander Graham Bell suffered from learning disability. His

quiescent of inventing a telephone proved that people with learning disabilities or disorders do
have genius present in them. He intensively contributed to the benefits of society regardless of

his learning disability.

The renowned scientists bedecked with numerous learning disabilities and other physical disorders

managed to extend quality of life of millions of people by making them vulnerable to endless

opportunities.

Famous People with Learning Disorder

Keira Knightley (Dyslexia)

Diagnosed with dyslexia at age 6, Pirates of the Caribbean star Keira Knightley has said

her struggles with reading at an early age only made her tougher. Knightley’s mother told her that

she could only act if she read every day during the holidays and kept her grades up. With her dream

of acting now on the line she wouldn’t be stopped, and in her own words, ”I drove myself into the

ground trying to get over dyslexia and when I finished school I had the top grades.” Proving that

perseverance is key.

Orlando Bloom (Dyslexia)

Best known for his role as Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean, Bloom was diagnosed

with dyslexia at age 7. Despite his mother’s best efforts in getting him to read more, Bloom’s

struggles left him looking for a creative outlet, so he turned to the stage. He eventually mastered

reading out loud in drama school, and even turned his dyslexia to his advantage. “The gift of

dyslexia was that I learned everything forward and backward, inside out, so I was fully prepared,”
he said. “I had to learn everything so that I wouldn’t have stage fright or the lines wouldn’t fall out

of my mind.”

Michael Phelps (ADHD)

Growing up, champion swimmer Michael Phelps was continually criticized by teachers for

his inability to sit still, and was formally diagnosed with ADHD when he was in fifth grade. After

being on Ritalin for over two years, Phelps chose to stop using the drug and instead used swimming

to help him find focus. His choice clearly paid off, as he ended his Olympic career as the most

highly decorated Olympian of all time, boasting 22 medals (18 of them being gold).

Daniel Radcliffe (Dyspraxia)

Most notable for his role as Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe has lived with a mild case of

dyspraxia for his entire life. Dyspraxia is a common neurological disorder that affects motor skill

development, meaning that at 25 years old and the star of one of the largest franchises in movie

history, Radcliffe still has trouble tying his shoelaces. In an interview regarding his Broadway

debut, he once jokingly stated ‘I sometimes think, Why, oh why, has Velcro not taken off?’

Whoopi Goldberg (Dyslexia)

Actress, writer, and producer Whoopi Goldberg was actually called “dumb” while growing

up due to her dyslexia. “I knew I wasn’t stupid, and I knew I wasn’t dumb. My mother told me

that,” she said in a 2004 interview. With leading roles in movies like Sister Act, The Color Purple,

and Jumping Jack Flash, and being one of the only ten people to win an Emmy, a Grammy, an

Oscar, and a Tony Award; she has certainly proven her critics wrong.
Steven Spielberg (Dyslexia)

Indiana Jones, E.T., Saving Private Ryan, and Jurassic Park are just a few of the movies

that legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg is responsible for. Despite only being diagnosed with

dyslexia at age 60, Spielberg struggled with it his entire life. He learned to read two years after all

of his classmates and was bullied so much that he dreaded going to school. He offers this advice

to students and young adults with learning disabilities, “You are not alone, and while you will have

dyslexia for the rest of your life, you can dart between the raindrops to get where you want to go.

It will not hold you back.”

Justin Timberlake (ADD and OCD)

In a 2008 interview with Collider.com, singer, songwriter, and actor Justin Timberlake

revealed that he has both Attention Deficit Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and is

quoted as saying “I have OCD mixed with ADD. You try living with that.” His OCD manifests in

the need to have things line up correctly, and only allowing certain foods in his refrigerator. Despite

battling his obsessive thoughts, Timberlake has had an incredibly successful career in the

entertainment industry, even winning nine Grammy Awards and four Emmy Awards.

Christopher Knight (ADHD)

Known best for playing Peter on the original Brady Bunch television series, Christopher

Knight had problems focusing and speaking slowly when he was younger, ADHD symptoms that

went undiagnosed until 1997. Since his diagnosis at age 39, Knight has sought treatment for his

condition and served as a spokesperson for the National Consumer League’s AD/HD campaign.
Jamie Oliver (Dyslexia)

Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver has authored over twenty cookbooks, and currently holds the

title of world’s richest chef, with a net worth of over $230 million. With that in mind, it might

surprise you to learn that he only finished reading his first book in 2013. He was quoted as saying

“I’ve never read a book in my life, which I know sounds incredibly ignorant but I’m dyslexic and

I get bored easily.” What did he choose as his first book to finish? Catching Fire, the sequel to the

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Ty Pennington (ADHD)

Ty Pennington is, in his own words, “about as ADHD as you can get.” The former host of

ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition had a great deal of trouble in school. “I mean, I was so

out of control that I spent most of the time in the hallway or in detention,” he said. Pennington was

formally diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as an undergrad, and taking the

prescribed medication was followed by an immediate upturn in his grades, to the point where he

was getting straight A’s.

Keanu Reeves (Dyslexia)

Star of The Matrix trilogy, Point Break, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and most

recently John Wick, Keanu Reeves’ dyslexia caused him to struggle in school. In an interview with

Handbag Magazine he said, “Because I had trouble reading, I wasn’t a good student … I didn’t

finish high school. I did a lot of pretending as a child. It was my way of coping with the fact that I

didn’t really feel like I fit in.” His gift for pretending has served him well in his acting career,

which is still going strong after 30 years.

Charles Schwab (Dyslexia)

Due to his struggle with undiagnosed dyslexia, Charles Schwab bluffed his way through

his early years of schooling by reading Classic Comic Book versions of books like Ivanhoe and A

Tale of Two Cities. While attending Stanford University, Schwab was initially floundering, failing

both Freshman English and French, “To sit down with a blank piece of paper and write was the

most traumatic thing that had ever faced me in life,” he admitted. At 77 years old, Businessman

and investor Charles Schwab has a net worth in excess of $5.1 billion, and yet still finds reading

and writing tedious.

Paul Orfalea (Dyslexia and ADHD)

Paul Orfalea struggled the entire way through school due to being unable to focus read

properly, which even lead to his expulsion from four of the eight schools he attended. In the end,

Orfalea graduated high school with a 1.2 GPA and went on to attend the University of Southern

California. While still only getting C’s and D’s in college, he was working part time on a business

venture he called Kinko’s. In an interview, he attributed his success in part to his conditions, “My

learning disability gave me certain advantages, because I was able to live in the moment and

capitalize on the opportunities I spotted,”

Jay Leno (Dyslexia)

Jay Leno is a man of many talents; he is a comedian, actor, writer, producer, voice actor

and former television host of NBC’s The Tonight Show. Leno’s dyslexia has led him to become a

firm believer in low self-esteem, in that “If you don’t think you’re the smartest person in the room

and you think you’re going to have to work a little harder, and put a little more time into it to get
what everybody else does, you can actually do quite well. And that’s been my approach.” His

approach to dyslexia has clearly paid off.

Vince Vaughn (ADD and Dyslexia)

Notable for his roles in movies like Dodgeball, The Break Up, and Wedding Crashers,

Vince Vaughn has a history of making people laugh. As a child Vaughn struggled to read, and

consequently ceased caring about schoolwork in order to avoid embarrassment. When he was

diagnosed with ADD and dyslexia and prescribed medication for them, his father refused that form

of treatment. Vaughn credits his acting career, “But when you have these setbacks, you develop a

really good work ethic, because you have to try harder.”

Richard Engel (Dyslexia)

Journalist, author, NBC News’ chief foreign correspondent, and recipient of the Medill

Medal for Courage in Journalism, Richard Engel struggled through school due to his Dyslexia.

While working harder to achieve his goals wasn’t an issue, the act of being coddled and meeting

with specialists caused his self-confidence to plummet. His confidence issues caused him to stick

to the sidelines for a time, before attending a wilderness survival camp at age 13 restored his

confidence. “Confidence is everything,” according to Engel. “Once you start having success, you

build on success.” Engel went on to graduate from Stanford, and despite being told that he would

never learn another language is now proficient in French, Spanish, and four dialects of Arabic.
Henry Winkler (Dyslexia)

Best known as Arthur Fonzarelli, aka “The Fonz,” on the classic television show Happy

Days, Henry Winkler didn’t read a book until he was 31 years old. Due to his dyslexia Winkler

struggled as a child, both with reading and the criticism that was heaped upon him for his failure,

“They thought I was lazy. I was called lazy. I was called stupid. I was told I was not living up to

my potential. And all the time inside I’m thinking, I don’t think I’m stupid. I don’t want to be

stupid. I’m trying as hard as I can. I really am.” Since his diagnosis at age 31, Winkler has become

a champion for those suffering from dyslexia, and has even authored a series of books about a

child with dyslexia that is based upon his own experiences with the disorder, Hank Zipzer: The

World’s Greatest Underachiever.

Karina Smirnoff (ADHD)

Throughout her life, Karina Smirnoff has struggled with inattention, hyperactivity, and

impulsivity, all symptoms of ADHD. The Dancing With The Stars performer was diagnosed when

a friend noticed her symptoms and pointed out how they were affecting her life, at which point she

sought a formal diagnoses and treatment. Karina’s parents tried to provide her with creative outlets

that would hold her interest, activities like figure skating, ballet, gymnastics, and playing the piano.

When speaking about how ADHD has impacted her life, she said, “After speaking with my doctor

and getting diagnosed with ADHD, I realized that having tools — such as medication and

organizational strategies — would help manage my symptoms.”

Tim Tebow (Dyslexia)

Former University of Florida star football player Tim Tebow was diagnosed with dyslexia

as a child, a condition that both his father and brother suffer from. In order to reach where he has,

Tebow has had to find alternate methods of learning things that others grasp in seconds. “It has to

do with finding out how you learn, and you really get it done quickly,” Tebow said. “I’m not

somebody that opens a playbook and just turns and reads and reads. That doesn’t do it for me.”

Instead, the former All American quarterback makes flashcards and memorizes them over time,

especially when traveling.

Anderson Cooper (Dyslexia)

Well-known journalist and CNN TV personality, Anderson Cooper has struggled with a

mild case of dyslexia from a very early age. Cooper’s family placed heavy importance on reading

and hired a special reading instructor in order to help Anderson. Cooper persevered by finding

books that he was incredibly passionate about, including Helen Keller’s biography and Graham

Greene’s novel “The Quiet American.” While speaking at the National Center for Learning

Disability’s annual luncheon in 2010 he said “Luckily I went to a school that caught the problem

very quickly and was able to figure out the problem and diagnose it, and luckily I had access to

people who could really help”

Howie Mandel (ADHD and OCD)

Actor, comedian, and game-show host, Howie Mandel has coped with ADHD and OCD

his entire life, but only consciously recognized what he had in his 40s. As a child Howie was

unmanageable both at home and at school, and though he forewent earning a high school diploma
he has gone on to have a long and fruitful career in the entertainment industry, where he has

incorporated his conditions into his comedy and how he performed on Deal or No Deal. In an

interview discussion of his ADHD he said, “Deal or No Deal works nicely with my ADD/ADHD

symptoms. I show up, meet the contestants, and move around the set. I’m not stuck behind a

pedestal reading trivia questions.”

Cher (Dyslexia)

Cher is well known for both her singing and acting career, though not many people are

aware she has had problems with dyslexia her entire life. As her dyslexia went undiagnosed in

school, her teachers simply thought that she wasn’t trying, she said in an interview “When I was

in school, it was really difficult. Almost everything I learned, I had to learn by listening. My report

cards always said that I was not living up to my potential.” She also admitted that dyslexia had

made it more difficult to read movie scripts, but that though it slowed her down she refused to let

it stop her.

Richard Branson (Dyslexia)

Entrepreneur, billionaire, and “The only person in the world to have built eight billion-

dollar companies from scratch in eight different countries.” Richard Branson is a model for

success, he is also dyslexic. Unlike many, who consider dyslexia a curse, Branson calls it his

“greatest strength.” Growing up in a time when dyslexia was largely misunderstood, Branson’s

teachers simply labeled him as lazy or “not very clever.” After starting up a successful alternative

newspaper in high school, he was confronted by his headmaster who said, “Congratulations,

Branson. I predict that you will either go to prison or become a millionaire.” Looking back on the
incident Branson said “That was quite a startling prediction, but in some respects he was right on

both counts!”

David Neeleman (ADD)

JetBlue CEO David Neeleman has turned his ADHD to his advantage, using it to help him

focus on the things that he is passionate about. In an interview with Attitudemag, Neeleman said

“”If someone told me you could be normal or you could continue to have your ADD, I would take

ADD.” In this spirit, Neeleman refuses to take medication to treat the condition, “I’m afraid of

taking drugs once, blowing a circuit, and then being like the rest of you.” Instead of allowing his

ADD to derail his thoughts, he uses the condition to find more streamlined methods of

accomplishing his tasks.

Tommy Hilfiger (Dyslexia)

While his name and clothing brand are known across the globe, not many people are aware

that fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger has struggled with dyslexia for his entire life. As a child he

was perceived as stupid due to his problems reading, and in the end he decided to forgo attending

college. Hilfiger attributes much of his success as a clothing designer to his lack of formal training,

which he claims allows him to see things in a way that other designers wouldn’t.
Facts about learning disabilities

 Fifteen percent of the U.S. population, or one in seven Americans, has some type of

learning disability, according to the National Institutes of Health.

 Difficulty with basic reading and language skills are the most common learning

disabilities. As many as 80% of students with learning disabilities have reading problems.

 Learning disabilities often run in families.

 Learning disabilities should not be confused with other disabilities such as autism,

intellectual disability, deafness, blindness, and behavioral disorders. None of these

conditions are learning disabilities. In addition, they should not be confused with lack of

educational opportunities like frequent changes of schools or attendance problems. Also,

children who are learning English do not necessarily have a learning disability.

 Attention disorders, such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and

learning disabilities often occur at the same time, but the two disorders are not the same.

Getting help for children with learning disabilities

When it comes to learning disabilities, it's not always easy to know what to do and where

to find help. Turning to specialists who can pinpoint and diagnose the problem is, of course,

important. You will also want to work with your child's school to make accommodations for your

child and get specialized academic help. But don't overlook your own role. You know your child

better than anyone else, so take the lead in looking into your options, learning about new treatments

and services, and overseeing your child's education.

Learn the specifics about your child’s learning disability.

Read and learn about your child’s type of learning disability. Find out how the disability affects

the learning process and what cognitive skills are involved. It’s easier to evaluate learning

techniques if you understand how the learning disability affects your child.

Research treatments, services, and new theories.

Along with knowing about the type of learning disability your child has, educate yourself about

the most effective treatment options available. This can help you advocate for your child at school

and pursue treatment at home.

Pursue treatment and services at home.

Even if the school doesn’t have the resources to treat your child’s learning disability optimally,

you can pursue these options on your own at home or with a therapist or tutor.

Nurture your child’s strengths.

Even though children with learning disabilities struggle in one area of learning, they may excel in

another. Pay attention to your child’s interests and passions. Helping children with learning

disorders develop their passions and strengths will probably help them with the areas of difficulty

as well.

Social and emotional skills: How you can help

Learning disabilities can be extremely frustrating for children. Imagine having trouble with

a skill all of your friends are tackling with ease, worrying about embarrassing yourself in front of

the class, or struggling to express yourself. Things can be doubly frustrating for exceptionally

bright children with learning disabilities–a scenario that's not uncommon.

 Kids with learning disabilities may have trouble expressing their feelings, calming

themselves down, and reading nonverbal cues from others. This can lead to difficulty in the

classroom and with their peers. The good news is that, as a parent, you can have a huge impact in

these areas. Social and emotional skills are the most consistent indicators of success for all

children—and that includes kids with learning disorders. They outweigh everything else, including

academic skills, in predicting lifelong achievement and happiness.

Learning disabilities, and their accompanying academic challenges, can lead to low self-

esteem, isolation, and behaviour problems, but they don’t have to. You can counter these things

by creating a strong support system for children with learning disabilities and helping them learn

to express themselves, deal with frustration, and work through challenges. By focusing on your

child’s growth as a person, and not just on academic achievements, you’ll help him or her learn

good emotional habits that set the stage for success throughout life.

Finding support while helping a child with learning disabilities

All children can be both exhilarating and exhausting, but it may seem that your child with

a learning disability is especially so. You may experience some frustration trying to work with

your child, and it can seem like an uphill battle when you don’t have the information you need.

After you learn what their specific learning disability is and how it is affecting their behaviours,

you will be able to start addressing the challenges in school and at home. If you can, be sure to

reach out to other parents who are addressing similar challenges as they can be great sources of

knowledge and emotional support.

 III. CONCLUSION/ RECOMMENDATION

Learning disabilities look very different from one child to another. One child may struggle

with reading and spelling, while another loves books but can’t understand math. Still another

child may have difficulty understanding what others are saying or communicating out loud.

The problems are very different, but they are all learning disorders.

It’s not always easy to identify learning disabilities. Because of the wide variations, there

is no single symptom or profile that you can look to as proof of a problem. However, some

warning signs are more common than others at different ages. If you’re aware of what they are,

you’ll be able to catch a learning disorder early and quickly take steps to get your child help.

A learning disability can't be cured or fixed; it is a lifelong issue. With the right support and

intervention, however, children with learning disabilities can succeed in school and go on to

successful, often distinguished careers later in life.

Parents can help children with learning disabilities achieve such success by encouraging their

strengths, knowing their weaknesses, understanding the educational system, working with

professionals and learning about strategies for dealing with specific difficulties.

We recommend that this simple research work will be further transformed into a thorough

research about the learning disabilities of children. Future researchers must look into a research

topic which will determine children with such problems in learning and include government and

concerned organization programs which will help children with learning disabilities.
IV. REFERENCES

Acero, V., Javier, E, Castro, H. (2004). Human Growth Development and Learning. Sampaloc,

Manila: Rex Bookstore, Inc.

De Guzman, E., Adamos, J. (2015). Assessment of Learning. Quezon City, Manila, Adriana

Publishing Co., Inc.

Kemp, G., Smith, M., Segal, J. (2017). Learning Disabilities and Disorders. Retrieved from

https://www.helpguide.org/

https://www.Scientists and inventors with disabilities.htm

http:// 25 Famous People with Learning Disorders _ Special Education Degrees.htm

http://KidsHealth.com

http://wikipedia.com