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What Are Learning Differences?
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a neurological, language-based learning disorder that specifically impairs a person's ability to read. Students generally have difficulty with spelling, writing, and speaking. These individuals typically read at levels significantly lower than expected despite having normal intelligence. They may also show difficulty with word recall, sequencing, and the passage of time.
Source: National Center for Learning Disabilities
What are the signs of dyslexia?
Students with dyslexia generally have difficulty in the following areas:
- Difficulty reading and spelling words
- Poor short term memory
- Difficulty with proofreading or identifying errors
- Poor auditory comprehension
- Problems with organizational skills
- Poor handwriting
- Short attention span when listening
- Slow completion of school work
- Poor concept of time
- Poor reading comprehension
Does one outgrow dyslexia?
No. Because it is neurologically-based, dyslexia is a life-long condition, and many dyslexics are glad for that! Because they think differently, they are able to process information in creative ways, thereby giving them an edge on problem solving and reasoning. They often possess strong spatial ability, creativity, social skills, and other gifts that make them successful in life, though not perhaps in school. At Sandhills, we use that potential to address the struggles of the classroom and to promote strategies that increase their ability to read, write, and do math.
What is dyscalculia?
Since math disabilities are varied, the signs that a person may have a difficulty in this area can be just as varied. However, having difficulty learning math skills does not necessarily mean a person has a learning disability. All students learn at different paces, and particularly among young people, it takes time and practice for formal math procedures to make practical sense.
Source: National Center for Learning Disabilities
If a person has trouble in any of the areas below, additional help may be beneficial.
- Good at speaking, reading, and writing, but slow to develop counting and math problem-solving skills
- Good memory for printed words, but difficulty reading numbers, or recalling numbers in sequence
- Good with general math concepts, but frustrated when specific computation and organization skills need to be used
- Trouble with the concept of time-chronically late, difficulty remembering schedules, trouble with approximating how long something will take
- Poor sense of direction, easily disoriented and easily confused by changes in routine
- Poor long term memory of concepts-can do math functions one day, but is unable to repeat them the next day
- Poor mental math ability-trouble estimating grocery costs or counting days until vacation
- Difficulty playing strategy games like chess, bridge or role-playing video games
- Difficulty keeping score when playing board and card games.
What is dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing abilities. It can manifest itself as difficulties with spelling, poor handwriting and trouble putting thoughts on paper. Because writing requires a complex set of motor and information processing skills, saying a student has dysgraphia is not sufficient. A student with disorders in written expression will benefit from specific accommodations in the learning environment, as well as additional practice learning the skills required to be an accomplished writer. Source: National Center for Learning Disabilities
If a person has trouble in any of the areas below, additional help may be beneficial.
- Tight, awkward pencil grip and body position
- Illegible handwriting
- Avoiding writing or drawing tasks
- Tiring quickly while writing
- Saying words out loud while writing
- Unfinished or omitted words in sentences
- Difficulty organizing thoughts on paper
- Difficulty with syntax structure and grammar
- Large gap between written ideas and understanding demonstrated through speech.
