“Learning Disability” is an “umbrella” term describing several other, more specific learning disability types, such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), Language Processing Disorder, and Non-Verbal Learning Disorders. Learning Disability is considered a developmental disorder present (if not recognized) from early childhood; although, in rare cases such as brain injury and dementia, it can be acquired. In many cases of learning disability, a child’s brain experiences anomalies in brain waves that lead to learning and reading difficulties.

Learning disorders are not intellectual disorders and do not indicate low intelligence, intellectual disability, mild intellectual disability, or an inability to learn. Rather, there often merely appears to be a gap between the individual’s potential and actual achievement. Moreover, disorders of learning should not be confused with learning difficulty caused by issues with vision or hearing or inadequate instruction. Learning disorders may not result in poor reading comprehension but may exacerbate it.