Learning Disabilities Characteristics
The following examples capture some of the common characteristics individuals with LD may share.
- Reading Skills
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- Poor reading fluency and/or difficulty modifying reading rates
- Inconsistent comprehension and retention of what is read
- Difficulty identifying and differentiating main ideas and supporting details
- Incomplete mastery of phonics, weak phonological awareness, confusion of similar words
- Difficulty learning new vocabulary
- Skipping words or overlooking lines when reading
- Difficulty reading for long periods of time
- Difficulty following written directions
- Discrepancy between reading ability and listening comprehension
- Written Language Skills
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- Difficulty planning a topic and organizing thoughts on paper
- Poor sentence structure, run-ons, incorrect use of grammar, missing inflectional endings
- Frequent or unusual spelling errors characterized by omissions, substitutions, transpositions
- Inconsistently spelled words throughout the same paper
- Simplistic word choices related to oral language skills
- Difficulty with effective proofreading and making revisions
- Slow written production
- Poor penmanship resembling a much younger writer
- Inability to copy from board or book to paper
- Expressive/Receptive Language Skills
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- Inability to concentrate on and comprehend spoken language
- Trouble orally expressing concepts that seem to be understood
- Difficulty pronouncing words correctly ("pacific" for "specific")
- Difficulty finding or remembering the right words
- Difficulty following oral directions
- Difficulty using terms in the appropriate context
- Trouble telling a story in the proper sequence
- Mathematical Skills
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- Incomplete mastery of basic facts
- Difficulty aligning problems, number reversals, confusion of operational symbols
- Difficulty recalling sequence of operations
- Difficulty comprehending word problems
- Difficulty with understanding key concepts and applications to aid problem solving
- Cognitive Processing and Executive Functioning Skills
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- Difficulty with memory, auditory perception, visual perception, spoken language, reasoning, and processing speed
- Problems learning new information
- Problems monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of learning and study strategies
- Organizational and Study Skills
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- Difficulty managing time
- Slow to start and complete tasks
- Inability to recall what has been taught on a day-to-day basis
- Difficulty taking notes
- Difficulty interpreting charts and graphs
- Difficulty preparing for and taking tests under timed condition
- Social Skills
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- Unable to detect the difference between sincere and sarcastic comments
- Unable to recognize subtle changes in tone of voice
- Difficulty interpreting nonverbal messages (body language, facial expressions)