Humanitarian Week Day 3: Education

 

Learning Disabilities

What is a learning disability?

Learning disabilities are disorders that impact a person’s ability to understand/use language, do math, coordinate movements, or direct attention. Each of those skills develops early on in childhood, so if they are impaired, a child might not be hitting certain developmental milestones.  

qUICK fACTS

  • 1 in 5: 8-10% of children under 18 are officially diagnosed with some form of a learning disability. It is suspected that this number is closer to 20%

  • Students with learning disabilities are 3x more likely to drop out of school

  • 46% of people who have a learning disability are unemployed, which is 2x more than those without a learning disability

Common Learning Disabilities

  • Dyscalculia: difficulty processing numbers

  • Dysgraphia: difficulty with writing and motor coordination

  • Dyslexia: difficulty with reading and visual language processing

  • Non-verbal: difficulty with facial expressions, body language, and non-verbal cues

Support

When a child is diagnosed, they may be enrolled in special education. This will help them get more attention from teachers as they work on strengthening their skills and building on weaknesses. Speech therapy is often involved in this process. 

However, the education system in the US is severely underfunded, and so it is difficult for children diagnosed with learning disabilities to get support. 

Organizations like the Learning Disabilities Association of America and the National Center for Learning Disabilities raise awareness and advocate for children with learning disabilities through grassroots efforts in D.C. and research nationally. 

Sources