• Five common signs of learning disorder
  
• Is learning disorder the cause of learning difficulties?

Learning disorder is a lifelong condition

With learning disorder the brain does not process information correctly from one sense to another, but often functions well in all other areas. Examples of this are:

• Students with learning disorder might have difficulties reading and writing, but have good auditory comprehension,
• Or they might not comprehend spoken instructions, but can follow them when given a practical demonstration,
• Or they might leave out words or endings of words when speaking, but write well.

In many cases students with learning disorder appear bright in some area of comprehension, so the condition may be difficult to recognise. Currently in Australia, learning disorder relates to three areas:

• Dyslexia (difficulties with reading and writing)

• Dyspraxia (difficulties with movement)
• Dyscalculia (difficulties with mathematical tasks)
  

Learning disorder can appear on its own or as part of a cluster of disorders that include attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and conditions such as asperger syndrome or autism.

This website is linked to several other sites in which the word ‘disorder’ is replaced by ‘disability’, ‘impairment’ or ‘condition’. They are all the same thing.

Adam’s story

Individuals with learning disorder can be found across the spectrum of intelligence. It is not unusual to find those with learning disorder functioning at an above-average IQ, and to be great lateral thinkers.

Adam’s story shows how he struggled to achieve before he understood that he had learning disorder.

       Adam’s story

Further information

• Further explanation of learning disability (disorder)
  
• Grasp the nettle - audio stories by people with learning disorder

Five common signs of learning disorder

Students with learning disorder might experience problems with one or more of the following:

Learning disorder can become evident in both academic and social situations.

Further information

• Reading disorder/disability
• List of reading references for teachers of learning disorder

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Is learning disorder the cause of all learning difficulties?

Most students who struggle with learning do not have learning disorder. Their learning difficulties might stem from the following:

• Disinterest in the subject
  
• Taking on something too challenging
  
• Poor concentration due to environmental influences
  
• Poor learning behaviours that have become habit
  

These students might exhibit difficulties in learning, but they have healthy brain function that just needs attention and training.

Learning disorder is a brain dysfunction, a life-long condition. With the right modifications, people with learning disorder can learn and some have become great lateral thinkers.

 Further information

• Key issues for learning disorder in vocational education and training
• Definitions of learning disorder
• Learning disorder V learning difficulties