How Does ADHD Affect Children With Learning Disabilities?

Many children deal with learning problems which are first noticed by parents and teachers at home or school. A learning disability or a learning disorder is a neurological disorder that can interfere with the use of listening, speaking reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, or mathematical skills. Researchers believe that learning disabilities are caused by a difference in the way a person’s brain works and processes information. The wiring of the brain is affected in children with learning disabilities where the wires do not touch. This influences how the child learns and processes information. Although children with a learning disability are as smart as their peers, they face challenges because they obtain information differently.
Learning
disabilities is an “umbrella” term defining more specific learning disabilities. There is a range of learning disabilities and not every child fits exactly into one of the types. Some learning disabilities include dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Early detection and intervention is important in the progress of children with learning in disabilities. Most school aged children are diagnosed with a learning disability when learning difficulties are noticed by a teacher in school. Some children do not find out they have a learning disorder until they are in their adolescent years. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines a specific learning disability and disorders that are not included. Specific learning disability means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. Specific learning disability does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of intellectual disability, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage. IDEA also list evaluation procedures that must be used at a minimum to identify and document a child who has a specific learning disorder.
Dyslexia is a learning disability that refers to difficulties in reading. Children with dyslexic have problems with connecting sounds and letters as well as identifying and spelling words. Dyslexic children are highly intelligent who are average or above average students. Students with dyslexia face challenges with this language-based learning disability when it remains undiagnosed and unaddressed. Studies find that dyslexia is genetically influenced. However, there are many myths about dyslexics and many people still misunderstand this learning disability. Children with serve reading problems are usually labeled dyslexic and receive special instruction in school.
Dysgraphia is a learning disability identified as problems with writing. This learning disability affects children’s handwriting skills, grammar, and motor writing skills. Dysgraphia can be diagnosed by a psychologist or neuropsychologist. Like other learning disabilities, dysgrahia is not typically diagnosed until a child is school-aged. Warning signs of dysgraphia include trouble forming letters and shapes, tight and awkward pencil grip and body position, and inconsistent space between words. There is no cure for dysgraphia although many tools such as assistive technology (AT) such as text-to-speech software which serve as support for children with learning disabilities.
Dyscalculia is a learning disorder where a person has difficulties in math. A child with this condition will have poor comprehension of math symbols, have trouble with counting, and may struggle with memorizing and organizing numbers. Teachers can focus on teaching children math with hands-on methods to develop their ability to acquire math knowledge.
Language Processing Disorder (LPD) is a neurological problem that can be described as having difficulty understanding what you hear and expressing what you say.
Auditory Processing Disorder
Speech-language pathologists often assess and treat suspected auditory processing problems of children with language and learning disorders. Nonverbal learning skills or nonverbal learning disabilities Visual Perceptional/ Visual Motor Deficit
Related disorders Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not considered a learning disability; however, ADHD is a disorder that affects behavior which can be linked to a child’s success in school and with relationships.
Many studies find that children with ADHD have greater learning problems. Furthermore, the majority of children with autism and ADHD have deficiencies in areas such as attention, graphomotor, and speed weaknesses.
Some children with autism have an accompanying learning disability. Learning disabilities usually cause behavioral problems. A child’s behavior is a good indicator of how well he or she is doing in school. Some common behavioral problems associated with learning disabilities include inattention, difficulty in completing homework, tantrums surrounding school related activities, and school avoidance.

If it is suspected that a child has a learning disability, it is necessary to have a comprehensive evaluation done by an expert who can assess all the different issues affecting that child.
Special Education services are offered in schools for children with learning disabilities and other mental or developmental
disabilities.
Teachers should learn to apply intervention practices that achieve large outcome in students with learning disabilities. Overcoming obstacles related to reading teachers make accommodations for students with learning disorders. Teachers can develop interest and curiosity in children by activating prior knowledge before reading. Effective teaching will access the needs of each student and plan how to strengthen him or her in the identified areas.
Organizations have been founded for the support of children with learning disabilities and their families National Center for Learning Disabilities, Learning Disabilities Association of America Becoming an advocate for the learning abilities to make communities aware concerning parents
It is important that educators recognize what issues children are having in learning and intervene. Children with a learning disability can reach their goals by developing strengths and different ways of learning. These children are smart individuals who need assistance in certain areas to do well in school. Ultimately, the role of the adults in the child’s lives is fundamental as they nurture the potential in the child with a learning disability. Parents and teachers have to collaborate to empower children so they will become successful independent learners.