A learning disability (LD) is a disorder of learning that usually causes a student to underachieve in one or more subjects at school. LD is caused by deficits in the underlying information-processing operations that make it possible to acquire academic skills. In this sense, LD is an inability related to brain function, and therefore typically excludes "general" reasons for underachievement, like emotional and behavioural problems.

In practice, the distinction between LD and other forms of underachievement is often difficult to demonstrate, for children with LD very often have many social, emotional, and behavioural problems. A good LD assessment attempts to tease apart the core learning problems from other reasons for failure.

Another common idea is that LD students show academic difficulties, but still have at least average ability. How could they be underachieving if their ability is average?

The answer appears to be related to the organization of learning and cognitive systems in the brain. It is possible to have average intelligence but have some smaller "modular" functions that are impaired. Top

For example, I may have excellent knowledge of word meaning and concepts and have good spoken language, but because reading requires a special "modular" skill of sound analysis (phonological encoding), my reading may be significantly delayed. Thus, an individual with average or better ability would be delayed in reading. This is a prototypical learning disability called phonological dyslexia.

Clearly, the brain is not so neatly compartmentalized that LD boundaries are always easily distinguished. More often, multiple cognitive processes are affected, and over time, underachievement also affects other areas of an LD person's life, like their self-esteem, confidence, anxiety level, etc. So with LD, there can be a very rapid accumulation of problems across numerous areas.

The first important step with LD is a good psychological analysis. This assessment will open the door for remedial education, enhancement of specific skills, and other areas of intervention to reduce or eliminate the rapid accumulation of academic failure and low self-esteem.

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