Common Learning Disabilities: Everything You Need To Know

Many children struggle in school from time to time. We each have unique skills and areas of capacity, so we’re all likely to encounter some subjects with more difficult concepts to learn than others. However, many parents are curious when it’s more than a normal challenge. They wonder whether their child may have a learning disability that’s resulting in a persistent struggle with a specific set of skills over time. Here, we’ll review the signs of different learning disabilities and how you can help your child manage them.

What Is a Learning Disorder?

Depending on the context, you might hear people refer to these as “learning disorders” or “learning difficulties.” They refer to the same group of neurodevelopmental disorders that impact a person’s ability to learn.⁷ It doesn’t mean the person is unintelligent or cannot learn; it’s more about how they learn. As a result, these disorders can interfere with an individual’s ability to read, write, perform mathematical calculations, pay attention, understand information, or coordinate physical movements.⁸

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) recognizes these specific learning disorders:⁸

• Dyslexia: Impairment with reading
• Dyscalculia: Impairment in mathematics
• Dysgraphia: Impairment with written expression

It’s also not uncommon for certain other developmental or motor conditions to accompany learning disorders (although they aren’t strictly learning disabilities themselves). These include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia (or developmental coordination disorder), and other disorders such as stereotypic movement disorder and perceptual or processing disorders relating to hearing and vision.^8,11

No parent wants to see their child frustrated and confused while completing schoolwork. You may worry about how a learning disability could affect your child’s future, but it’s important to remember that treatment options and strategies can help. Most children with learning disabilities are just as capable and intelligent (if not more so) than their peers. They simply require a varied teaching approach to reach their full potential.

Common Learning Disabilities

Below is an outline of the three key learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia), as well as two disorders that aren’t technically learning disabilities, but their symptoms can impact the learning journey of our children (ADHD and dyspraxia):

1. Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a common learning disability that affects the development of basic reading and spelling skills.¹ Children with dyslexia often have difficulty with word recognition, spelling, and decoding.¹² Although children with dyslexia struggle with reading and spelling, they usually excel in other areas where reading isn’t a primary focus.¹⁴

Individuals with any level of intelligence may have dyslexia.¹ Most people are surprised to learn that someone has dyslexia because of that person’s achievement in other areas. Dyslexia can occur in people with any level of intelligence and/or in combination with other disabilities, including ADHD and vision and hearing impairments.^1,13

Signs of Dyslexia

Here are the signs of dyslexia:⁹

• Difficulty learning to rhyme words
• Difficulty learning letter names and sounds of the alphabet
• Confusion of letters and words that look similar (Examples: b, d, p, and q; was and saw)
• Confusion of letters with similar sounds (f and v)
• Reversals and transpositions of letters and words that continue past the age of 7
• Trouble arranging letters in the correct order when spelling
• Spelling the same word in different ways on the same page
• Difficulty pronouncing some multi-syllable words correctly
• Slow reading rate and fluency

Diagnosis and Treatment

Dyslexia is a very common learning disability. It affects 20% of the population, or 1 in every 5 people.² Many children with dyslexia are diagnosed around 5 or 6 years old when they’re entering education and their reading and spelling difficulties are noticed.¹⁵

An educational psychologist can evaluate your child and diagnose them with dyslexia, and your child’s school or pediatrician should be able to refer you to one. There are a number of tests available that can be used for dyslexia, and typically, testing is undertaken as a multidisciplinary approach. Regardless of which test is used or who conducts it, the evaluator will test your child’s abilities in many areas of literacy.¹⁶ These include decoding, oral language skills, reading fluency, reading comprehension, spelling, vocabulary, and word recognition. The evaluator may also request a vision and hearing test. Before they make a diagnosis, there will likely be some observation of your child, or they’ll interview other people (parents, teachers, etc.) who can share information about the child’s skills, capacity, and challenges.¹⁷

Although there’s no cure for dyslexia, your child can improve their reading and writing skills by working with a reading specialist or tutor. The focus is on teaching compensatory strategies and providing therapy and support in education settings. Essentially, these are strategies that will help a child manage symptoms associated with dyslexia.¹⁸ In particular, it can be helpful to improve their capacity to manage the stress and anxiety that can arise when reading, which can enhance their written comprehension.¹⁹

2. Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a learning disability that affects a person’s ability to do basic mathematics such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. For a child with dyscalculia, learning math is frustrating and confusing. They may have trouble recalling math facts from memory. It’s also hard for children with dyscalculia to understand and process math-related tasks.²⁰

Dyscalculia affects 3-7% of the population.⁶ Experts are still researching it, and little is known about the exact cause. If dyscalculia runs in your family, your child is more likely to have it. It often coexists with other learning disabilities, such as dyslexia and ADHD. Dyscalculia is also associated with or has a higher presentation in people with other disorders like Turner syndrome and spina bifida.^21,22

Signs of Dyscalculia

Here are the signs of dyscalculia:²⁰

• Difficulty recognizing numbers
• Struggling to connect numerical symbols with words
• Difficulty recognizing patterns
• Losing track when counting and a delay in learning to count
• Struggling with math homework, assignments, and tests

Diagnosis and Treatment

There’s no one clear way to diagnose dyscalculia. Instead, appropriately skilled professionals (typically psychologists) rely on diagnostic criteria, or specific tests that measure skills/capacity in different domains. These include working memory, intelligence, executive functioning, etc. They’ll also evaluate the test results against reports from teachers about a child’s capacity or functioning.²³

There are treatment options if your child is diagnosed with dyscalculia, and it’s better to start sooner. (Their brains are still growing and developing, so they’ll be better able to adapt to their condition.) Children with dyscalculia benefit from one-on-one learning programs that focus on the specific skills they’re struggling with.²⁴

3. Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia can occur in both adults and children. It makes it hard for people to form letters when writing, or they may mix up words when trying to communicate.⁹ It can also result in people having trouble concentrating on other things when they’re writing, so they might miss other important pieces of information. This is because they need to exert so much effort to record each word accurately.⁹ One symptom is messy writing, but this isn’t the case for all people with dysgraphia. Some write quite neatly, but it takes considerable exertion for this result.⁸

Signs of Dysgraphia

Here are the signs of dysgraphia:⁸

• Incorrect spelling
• Incorrect or inappropriate sizing or spacing of letters
• Difficulty with correct capitalization
• Having trouble using rules of grammar and punctuation
• Writing is slow and effortful
• The position of the hand or body is unusual when writing
• Tight hold of a writing implement, often causing cramping/discomfort
• Mixing up print and cursive letters
• Trouble saying words, or speaking when writing
• Missing letters from words or missing words from sentences
• Difficulty expressing their ideas in a clear and organized way

Diagnosis and Treatment

Children who have a diagnosis of dysgraphia may experience low self-esteem or confidence. This is because they’re often labeled as “lazy” since their production of work may be very slow and their writing isn’t neat. This can also influence their confidence or even result in a negative attitude toward school and education.¹⁰

People with dysgraphia are often referred to see an occupational therapist who can help improve their writing skills. Some treatments might include learning how to hold a pen or pencil in a new way, strengthening or increasing movement/flexibility of fingers by working with modeling clay, doing connect-the-dot puzzles, or practicing tracing letters in sand or shaving foam.¹⁰

4. Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia is a common disorder that causes children to struggle with fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and motor planning. It often occurs in combination with other disabilities such as ADHD, sensory processing issues, mental health issues, and autism. It can also affect speech. Dyspraxia affects 1 in 10 people.³

Signs of Dyspraxia

Here are the signs of dyspraxia:²⁵

• Fine motor skills (performing tasks with the hands, feet, head, or face):
  • Poor handwriting
  • Difficulty completing a puzzle
  • Difficulty using utensils
  • May have trouble pronouncing words
• Gross motor skills (performing tasks with large muscles of the body):
  • May have walked later than the average child
  • Difficulty kicking or throwing a ball
  • Difficulty keeping balance
  • Unable to run, hop, or jump
  • Sometimes thought to be clumsy or careless

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you suspect that your child has dyspraxia, consult your pediatrician. You may then be referred to a psychologist or neuropsychologist. The evaluator may assess your child’s cognition, memory, perception, verbal communication, and walking. An occupational therapist will help your child with fine and gross motor skills. Your child may also need a speech therapist if they have language and speech difficulties.²⁵

5. ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects a person’s ability to focus, concentrate, or control impulsive behavior. ADHD is caused by differences in the brain, but the exact cause isn’t known yet. Children with ADHD may appear to be hyperactive and impulsive, which can cause problems in their school and social life. ADHD is one of the most common disorders; approximately 8.4% of children have a current diagnosis of ADHD.⁴ The DSM divides ADHD into three types: predominantly inattentive presentation, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, and combined presentation.⁵

Signs of ADHD

Here are the signs of ADHD:⁸

• Predominantly inattentive:
  • Difficulty paying attention
  • Avoiding mental tasks (such as homework)
  • Trouble staying on task
  • Disorganized
  • Doesn’t appear to listen when spoken to
  • Doesn’t pay attention to details
  • Losing things often
  • Making careless mistakes
• Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive:
  • May blurt out answers before a question is finished
  • Constantly interrupting others
  • Difficulty waiting for their turn
  • Talking too much
  • Difficulty staying in their seat (getting up during inappropriate times; running or climbing in inappropriate situations)
  • Acting as if driven by a motor
• Combined presentation:
  • Having symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you suspect that your child has ADHD, set up an appointment with your pediatrician. Your pediatrician will ask you questions about their symptoms and may give you and your child’s teacher a questionnaire to fill out.

There are treatment options if your child is diagnosed with ADHD, such as medications that can help improve the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity.²⁶ There are many medication options, so be sure to discuss them all with your child’s pediatrician. It may take a few tries to find your child’s correct dose and medication. Children with ADHD may also benefit from behavioral therapy and social skills training. Your child can learn strategies for dealing with difficult situations and learn appropriate social behaviors, regulate their emotions, or deal with impulsivity.²⁶

The Bottom Line

If you suspect your child has a learning disability, talk to your pediatrician. Early detection is key to helping your child be successful. If diagnosed with a learning disability, your child will receive a treatment plan to help them reach their academic potential (and improve their self-esteem) as well as strategies to lead a normal, successful life as an adult.