What is a Learning Disability? Everything You Need to Know

Learning disabilities are lifelong challenges that can affect the way your child understands, processes, and uses information. These difficulties often show up in areas like reading, writing, or math — and they can have an impact not just at school, but also in day-to-day activities and later in the workplace.

It’s estimated that between 5% and 15% of people live with some form of learning difficulty. While some may find only one area particularly tough, it’s not unusual to experience challenges in more than one subject or skill.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what learning disabilities are and explore ways you can support your child if they’re facing these kinds of struggles.

What Is a Learning Disability?

A learning disability is a condition that affects how the brain processes and uses information. It can influence how someone takes in information, organises their thoughts, remembers things, makes sense of what they learn, or applies what they know.

These challenges can involve both verbal information (like speaking or reading) and nonverbal information (like recognising patterns or understanding body language). Children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) often show up in problems in areas like reading, writing, or math, and they can vary from mild to more severe.

It’s important to understand that learning disabilities have nothing to do with intelligence. In fact, many people with learning disabilities have average or above-average IQs. They simply learn in different ways, and that’s okay.

Most people with learning challenges are diagnosed during childhood, often once they start school. But for some, it may take until their teenage years or even adulthood to fully understand what they’re dealing with.

What Causes a Learning Disability?

Learning disabilities typically develop while the brain is still growing, which can be before birth, during childbirth, or in the early years of life.

Some causes may include:

• Problems with the central nervous system during pregnancy.

• Illness or injury affecting the mother while pregnant.

• Genetic factors (certain genes can influence brain development).

• Lack of oxygen at birth.

• Premature birth or birth-related trauma.

In some cases, learning disabilities can also develop after birth — for example, if a child experiences serious illness, a head injury, or seizures during early childhood.

Every case is unique, and sometimes the exact cause isn’t clear. But no matter the reason, the most important thing is knowing how to support and empower someone with a learning disability to thrive in their way.

What are the Signs of Learning Disabilities?

One of the biggest indicators of a learning disability is when there's a noticeable gap between a child’s potential and how they're performing in school.

Sometimes, signs of a learning difficulty show up early on, even before school starts. But in many cases, especially with mild to moderate learning disabilities, the signs become more noticeable once a child begins formal education, around age five or older. Even more severe challenges may only become clear once academic expectations increase.

Every learning disability is different, and the signs can vary depending on the type. But here are some common things to look out for:

• Trouble recognising letters, numbers, colours, or math symbols

• Difficulty counting or understanding number patterns

• Struggles with building vocabulary or rhyming words

• Problems sounding out words while reading

• Difficulty starting, organising, or finishing tasks

• Trouble putting thoughts into words, either verbally or in writing

• Memory challenges, both short-term and long-term

• Holding a pencil awkwardly or having poor handwriting

• Inability to retell a story in the right order

• Difficulty staying focused or following instructions

• Struggles with coordination or motor skills

• Trouble solving problems that require abstract thinking

Keep in mind, just because a child shows one or two of these signs doesn’t necessarily mean they have a learning disability. Only a qualified professional can provide a proper diagnosis.

Some children show several of these signs; others may only show a few. And it’s also possible to have more than one learning disability at the same time.

Behaviour and Emotional Signs

Learning challenges can take a toll on a child’s confidence, especially if they feel like they’re always falling behind their classmates. You might start to notice changes in their behaviour or how they feel about school. Some of the emotional or behavioural signs include:

• Avoiding school or making excuses not to go

• Refusing to read out loud or solve problems in front of others

• Blaming teachers for poor grades or complaining often about school

• Hiding or not wanting to show schoolwork to parents or caregivers

• Dodging homework or class assignments

• Acting out at school or in social settings

• Mood swings, tantrums, or being unusually defiant

• Saying things like, “I’m dumb” or “I’ll never get this right”

If your child is showing these signs, it’s important to listen, offer support, and seek help. With the right guidance and resources, kids with learning disabilities can thrive both in school and in life.

How are Learning Disabilities Diagnosed?

Most learning disabilities are first suspected once a child starts school and begins facing academic challenges. Often, it’s a combination of input from both caregivers and teachers that raises the first red flag. From there, the next step is a thorough evaluation involving several professionals — usually your child’s paediatrician, a school psychologist, or a child psychologist.

It’s important to understand that an official diagnosis of a learning disorder must come from a psychologist. While your child’s school can identify potential learning issues and start the process for getting support, a formal diagnosis often requires more specialised assessments.

There’s a slight difference between a medical diagnosis of a learning disability and how schools legally recognise it under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, both processes usually include a combination of:

• Classroom observations

• Interviews with teachers and parents

• Standardized assessments

• A review of schoolwork and academic progress

• Medical and developmental history

You’ll likely be working closely with school staff, specialists, and healthcare professionals throughout this process.

Types of Learning Disability Tests

There isn’t just one test for learning disabilities. Instead, the evaluation process usually involves several different types of assessments to build a full picture of your child’s strengths and struggles. Here’s what’s typically involved:

1. Medical Evaluation

A paediatrician will usually start with a physical and neurological exam to rule out any medical issues that could be affecting learning, like vision or hearing problems. They may also order tests like blood work or brain imaging if needed.

2. Educational Assessment

Teachers will evaluate how your child is doing in class by reviewing schoolwork, observing behaviour, and assessing reading, writing, and math skills compared to what’s expected at their grade level.

3. Cognitive Evaluation

This usually includes IQ testing, along with assessments to see how your child processes information, whether they learn better by seeing, hearing, or doing. A school or child psychologist typically handles this part.

4. Psychological Evaluation

Sometimes, emotional or behavioural challenges can overlap with learning issues. A psychologist may assess conditions like ADHD, anxiety, or depression, and look at things like your child’s motivation, self-esteem, and social interactions.

5. Neuropsychological Assessment

If your child has a history of brain injury or neurological issues, a neuropsychologist might be brought in. This assessment digs deeper into how different areas of the brain are functioning and how that impacts learning and behaviour.

Diagnosing a learning disability is a team effort, and while it can take time, getting clear answers opens the door to better understanding your child and finding the right tools and strategies to help them succeed.