Learning Disabilities

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD), is a brain-based condition that causes a range of symptoms, such as short attention span, distractibility, disorganization, procrastination, and poor impulse control. It is the most common learning and behavior problem in children, affecting about seven million kids from ages three to 17, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). This condition is more common in males, with 15 percent of boys and 8 percent of girls diagnosed with it in the U.S. Unfortunately, 23 percent of children with ADHD do not receive treatment for their symptoms.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficiencies in social and communication skills, limited and repetitive behaviors and interests, and in many (but not all) cases, developmental disabilities including intellectual and language impairments. The prevalence of ASD has been increasing at an alarming rate in the past few decades. Today, an estimated one in 31 children are diagnosed with the condition, according to the CDC. And boys are 3.5 times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ASD.

Children with emotional problems may have anxiety disorders, depression, or other mental health issues. According to the CDC, 10 percent of kids between the ages of three and 17 have been diagnosed with anxiety and 4 percent have been diagnosed with depression. Unfortunately, not all children who need treatment for their mental health symptoms receive it. These disorders can lead to a number of problems in school, such as test anxiety, trouble speaking in front of peers, lack of motivation, or irritability.

Almost all kids and adolescents can occasionally act defiantly with their teachers, get aggressive with classmates, or have a temper tantrum in class. When this type of conduct becomes a long-lasting pattern with negative consequences, it’s considered a behavioral problem. In fact, the CDC found that amongst children ages three to 17, approximately 5 percent of females and 10 percent of males have been diagnosed with a behavior disorder. 

There are over 2.8 million head injury-related emergency department visits in the U.S. every year. And, more than two million children under the age of 17 have had a concussion or TBI diagnosis at some point in their young lives. Many people aren’t aware that mild brain injuries can lead to confusion, difficulty with concentration and paying attention, memory problems, anxiety, depression, and more—all of which can interfere with academic performance. 

Dyslexia is a learning disability that makes it hard to read, write, and spell. Although many people think dyslexia is a vision problem, experts believe it is due to problems identifying speech sounds and correlating them to words and letters, something called “decoding.” Estimates show that 5 to 10 percent of people have dyslexia. It is important to understand that although people with dyslexia have trouble learning, it doesn’t mean they are less intelligent than their peers. 

Children who have trouble reading and other learning difficulties, or have anxiety disorders, low motivation, headaches, ADHD, ASD, or TBI may also have a condition called Irlen syndrome. This is a visual processing problem in which certain colors of the light spectrum tend to irritate the brain. Irlen syndrome affects 12-14 percent of the general population; but it afflicts 33 percent of people with ADHD or autism spectrum disorder; nearly 50 percent of individuals with reading or learning challenges; and 55 percent of those with head injury, concussion, or whiplash. Students who take a long time to complete homework, do poorly on exams, or avoid reading assignments should be screened for Irlen syndrome.