Dyslexia, Learning Disorders and Intellectual Disability Assessment
What is a Learning Disorder?
Dyslexia is neurobiological in nature, which means it is something that you are born with. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from an unexpected difficulty in a person's ability to process the phonological component of language, in relation to other thinking and reasoning abilities, even with exposure to effective educational instruction.
Other challenges associated with Dyslexia may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.
Learning difficulties are not limited to Dyslexia. Dysgraphia is a term used to describe difficulties with putting one’s thoughts on paper. Problems with writing can include difficulties with spelling, grammar, punctuation, and handwriting.
Dyscalculia is a term used to describe difficulties learning number-related concepts or using the symbols and functions to perform math calculations. Problems with math can include difficulties with number sense, memorizing math facts, math calculations, math reasoning and math problem-solving.
Learning Disorders can be determined through an in-depth assessment to examine a person's overall thinking and reasoning skills, specific processing abilities, academic achievement, and school performance.
What is an Intellectual Disability?
Intellectual disabilities impact a person's ability to reason, problem-solve, plan, think abstractly, judge and learn. Individuals with intellectual disabilities also have difficulty with skills needed to live independently and to function well in daily life. Intelligence testing, investigation of adaptive skills and academic achievement testing is used to determine the presence of an intellectual disability.