October is Learning Disability Month
President’s Message
“LDANB is excited about the upcoming year, and our growing capacity to support individuals and families dealing with the impact of learning disabilities. This year has seen the implementation of our LINKS - Linking Language to Learning project in the Fredericton area. This federally-funded pilot program will permit us to implement screening and intervention services for 18-24 students in elementary grades who are at least one year behind in their reading and writing. Ongoing Screening for Success training of employees of the Department of Postsecondary Education and Training will enable these workers to better screen persons at risk for a learning disability. Our association has also been instrumental in the development of the Policy for Learning Disabilities with the Department of Education. New Brunswick is one of only two provinces in Canada to have such a policy. Our annual conferences continue to offer invaluable information to parents and professionals. Prof. Mahesh Sharma’s mathematics presentation in Spring 2008 was very well received. Finally, we continue to dialogue with the Government of New Brunswick to coordinate and increase services for persons with Learning Disabilities. We look forward to meeting the challenges of our community throughout 2008-09, and will remain committed to improving outcomes for individuals with LD and their families.
What are LDs?
A learning disability is a neurological condition that interferes with a person’s ability to store, process, or produce information. Learning disabilities can affect one’s ability to read, write, speak, spell, compute math, reason and also affect a person’s attention, memory, coordination, social skills and emotional maturity. Some common learning disabilities include:
- Dyslexia – a language-based disability in which a person has trouble with specific language skills, particularly reading.
- Dyscalculia – a mathematical disability in which a person has a difficult time solving arithmetic problems and grasping math concepts.
- Dysgraphia – a writing disability in which a person finds it hard to form letters, write within a defined space and express ideas.
Learning disabilities often run in families.
Learning disabilities should not be confused with other disabilities such as mental retardation, autism, deafness, blindness, and behavioral disorders. None of these conditions are learning disabilities.
Attention disorders, such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities often occur at the same time, but the two disorders are not the same. Because learning disabilities cannot be seen, they often go undetected. Recognizing a learning disability is even more difficult because the severity and characteristics vary.
