Specific Learning Disability: Definition, Examples, Types

Specific Learning Disabilities is a group of disabling conditions that hampers a person’s ability to listen, think, speak, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations. One or more of these abilities may be hampered.

Specific Learning Disability interferes with the normal learning process of the person. The term does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing or motor disabilities, of mental retardation, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural or economic disadvantage.

Types and Examples of Specific Learning Disabilities

1. Dyslexia

Dyslexia is the specific learning disability in reading. Children affected with dyslexia find it very difficult to read. It occurs in children with normal vision and intelligence.

Symptoms of Dyslexia in School going Kids

• Reading well below the expected level for age
• Problems remembering the sequences
• Difficulty in seeing similarities and differences in letters and words
• Difficulty in spelling words
• Avoiding activities that involve reading

2. Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a specific learning disability that affects written expression, for example difficulties with spelling, poor handwriting and trouble putting thoughts on paper.

Symptoms of Dysgraphia in School going Kids

• Difficulty in writing letters
• Trouble in spacing letters correctly on the page
• Difficulty in writing in a straight line
• Difficulty in:
  • Holding paper with one hand while writing with the other
  • Holding and controlling a pencil or other writing tool
  • Putting the right amount of pressure on the paper with a writing tool
  • Maintaining the right arm position and posture for writing

3. Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a specific learn disability that causes difficulty in learning arithmetic, understanding numbers and doing mathematical calculations. About 3 to 6% of population is affected with some degree of dyscalculia.

• Difficulty reading analog clocks
• Difficulty in finding which of two numbers is larger
• Issues in sequencing things
• Difficulty with multiplication, subtraction, addition, and division tables, mental arithmetic, etc.
• Problems with differentiating between left and right
• Difficulty with time, directions, recalling schedules, sequences of events, keeping track of time, frequently late or early
• Inability to concentrate on mentally intensive tasks

NOTE: The term acalculia is used for an acquired impairment in which people have difficulty in performing simple. Acalculia is distinguished from dyscalculia in that acalculia is acquired late in life due to neurological injury such as stroke, while dyscalculia is a specific developmental disorder first observed during the acquisition of mathematical knowledge.

4. Dyspraxia

Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a condition affecting physical co-ordination. It causes a child to perform less well than expected in daily activities for their age, and appear to move clumsily.

5. Developmental Aphasia

Aphasia is an impairment of language, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write. Aphasia is always due to injury to the brain-most commonly from a stroke, particularly in older individuals.

Specific Learning Disabilities and Disability Benefits

India’s RPWD Act 2016 defines Specific Learning Disabilities as a heterogeneous group of conditions wherein there is a deficit inprocessing language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself as a difficulty to comprehend, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations and includes such conditions as perceptual disabilities, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and developmental aphasia.

Disability Certificate

The teachers of the public and private school shall carry out the screening in Class III or at eight years of age, whichever is earlier. The screening test is given in Figure 2. If in the screening shows test three or more answers are in “frequently” column, then the child should be referred for further assessment.

Every school (public and private) shall have a screening committee headed by the principal of the school. After   applying the screening test, if an anomaly is detected then, the teacher should bring it to the notice of principal and screening committee of the school. The teachers shall interview the parents to assess their involvement and motivation regarding their child’s education. If the parents are motivated and screening questionnaire suggests SLD, then child should be referred for further assessment.

The child shall be referred to pediatrician for SLD assessment by the principal of the school with the recommendations of the screening committee endorsed.

Medical Authority

The Medical Superintendent or Chief Medical Officer or Civil Surgeon or any other equivalent authority as notified by the State Government shall be head the certification authority. The medical authority will comprise of:

1. The Medical Superintendent or Chief Medical Officer or Civil Surgeon or any other equivalent authority as notified by the State Government
2. Pediatrician or Pediatric Neurologist (where available)
3. Clinical or Rehabilitation Psychologist
4. Occupational therapist or Special Educator or Teacher trained for assessment of SLD.

Validity of Disability Certificate

The certification will be done for children aged eight years and above only. The child will have to undergo repeat certification at the age of 14 years and at the age of 18 years. The certificate issued at 18 years will be valid life-long.