Dufferin-Peel CDSB - St. John of the Cross

COMMUNICATION

Learning Disability

Definition

An ongoing, lifelong condition characterized by a significant impairment in information and/or of language processing, and attributable to a central nervous system dysfunction rather than external or environmental influences. Learning Disability should be diagnosed by an appropriately qualified psychologist or psychological associate. It may be advisable to obtain an assessment from a qualified speech-language pathologist to determine if there are speech and language disorders, in addition to the learning disability.

It is often, but not always, characterized by a significant discrepancy between intellectual functioning (which is typically in the average to above average range, or potentially average) and academic achievement. A large discrepancy is not always apparent with primary age children or in children who have above average intellectual ability.

Difficulties in any of the following areas may be associated with this condition:

· Attention and impulsivity

· Phonological awareness and phonological processing

· Language processing

· Conceptualizing

· Visual, auditory or symbolic memory

· Perception and discrimination

· Sequencing, organization and problem-solving

· Verbal and non-verbal communication (including other symbol systems of communication)

· Reading, writing, spelling and mathematics

· Social skills and perception

· Emotional maturation