15 Current Definitions of Learning Disabilities
Certainly! Learning disabilities refer to a diverse group of disorders that affect the acquisition, retention, understanding, or use of verbal or nonverbal information. Here are 15 definitions that capture various aspects of learning disabilities:
Federal Definition (IDEA): Learning disabilities, as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), involve specific academic difficulties in areas such as reading, writing, and math, resulting from disorders that affect the processing of information.
Neuropsychological Perspective: Learning disabilities are neurobiological disorders that affect the brain’s ability to receive, process, store, and respond to information, leading to difficulties in academic achievement.
Cognitive Processing Definition: Learning disabilities arise from atypical cognitive processes, including but not limited to memory, attention, perception, and executive functions, impacting a person’s ability to learn effectively.
Information Processing Model: Learning disabilities can be seen as disruptions in the information processing system, affecting the input, organization, storage, and retrieval of information needed for learning tasks.
15 Current Definitions of Learning Disabilities
Social-Emotional Impact: Learning disabilities may contribute to social and emotional challenges, as individuals may experience frustration, low self-esteem, and anxiety related to academic performance.
Multifactorial Perspective: Learning disabilities are influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors, leading to challenges in acquiring and applying knowledge.
Functional Impact Definition: Learning disabilities are characterized by significant difficulties in academic tasks that are not solely due to intellectual, sensory, or health factors, impacting daily functioning in educational settings.
Developmental Definition: Learning disabilities are often identified during a person’s developmental years and persist throughout life, affecting learning across various domains.
Specific Learning Disabilities: Learning disabilities refer to specific difficulties in acquiring academic skills, such as dyslexia (reading), dyscalculia (mathematics), and dysgraphia (writing), without significant intellectual impairment.
Response to Intervention (RTI) Perspective: Learning disabilities are identified based on a student’s inadequate response to evidence-based interventions, highlighting the importance of early and targeted support.
Inclusion in Neurodiversity: Learning disabilities are considered as part of the spectrum of neurodiversity, recognizing diverse cognitive profiles and emphasizing the value of different ways of thinking and learning.
15 Current Definitions of Learning Disabilities
Environmental Barriers Definition: Learning disabilities result from a mismatch between an individual’s learning style and the teaching methods or environmental demands, emphasizing the importance of accommodations and support.
Communication and Language Aspect: Learning disabilities may involve challenges in language processing, impacting the ability to understand and express oneself verbally or in written form.
Executive Functioning Definition: Learning disabilities are linked to difficulties in executive functions, such as planning, organizing, initiating tasks, and managing time, affecting academic and daily life skills.
Lifelong Impact Perspective: Learning disabilities can have a lasting impact on an individual’s educational, vocational, and social experiences, highlighting the need for ongoing support and accommodations throughout life.
15 Current Definitions of Learning Disabilities
15 Current Definitions of Learning Disabilities
