Myths about Learning Disabilities

Although I knew for some time that something just wasn't right when it came to Madison's retention skills of written or visual material, when the official result came in, they still completely knocked the wind out of me. I was overcome with emotion and thoughts of what this meant she might not be able to do. Will she ever read as fast as her friends, will she be able to play "Around the World" math, will she go to college? All my knowledge as an educator flew out the door, and I actually went through what I would say was a mourning period.


It took a little while, but I passed that stage (with the help of family) and moved on to the "What do I do to make this better?" stage. After all, she was still the same child that she was the day before, she just had a new "label". Knowing that she had that label didn't change anything, it just now gave me the power to get her all the help and resources she would (and does) need to be as successful as she possibly can.


I was a teacher for 8 years before I had children. My mom was also a teacher. She actually taught self contained special education. So I had experience and knowledge about children with learning disabilities (LD). I have always known the difference between myths of LD and facts of LD. However, it affects you much differently when the LD child is your own. People misjudge and make judgements. They misunderstand and jump to conclusions. So, I hope to clear up some of the myths about learning disabilities here.....




Myth 1
People with LD are not very smart.


Reality
Intelligence has nothing to do with LD. In fact, people with LD have average to above average intelligence. Studies indicate that as many as 33% of children with LD are gifted.


Myth 2
Children with learning disabilities are identified in kindergarten and first grade.


Reality
Learning disabilities often go unrecognized for years; most are not identified until 3rd grade. Bright children can "mask" their difficulties; and some kinds of learning problems may not surface until middle school, high school or even college.


Myth 3
More boys than girls have learning disabilities.


Reality
Although four times as many boys as girls are identified by schools as having learning disabilities, research studies suggest that many girls who are not identified also have the most common form of learning problem — difficulty with reading. Many girls' learning difficulties are neither identified nor treated.


Myth 4
When children are suspected of having some kind of learning difficulty, it's reasonable to wait and see if they will "grow out of" it.


Reality
Learning disabilities cannot be outgrown, but they can be identified reliably in kindergarten or 1st grade, or even earlier. Research clearly demonstrates that the earlier a child is given appropriate help for a learning disability, the more successful the outcome.


Myth 5
Bright kids described as underachievers in middle or high school generally have emotional problems or just don't care enough about school to do their best.


Reality
There are a number of possible causes of underachievement. However, it is not unusual to find bright kids in high school or even in college with undetected learning disabilities and/or attention-deficit disorders, which substantially affect their ability to perform well in school.


Myth 6
If students with LD would just study harder or be exposed to more educational opportunities they would not have problems with learning.


Reality
Learning disabilities are neurological in origin. They do not arise from lack of exposure to life experiences, and, in fact, many LD students work harder than a non-LD student to meet the same expectations.


Myth 7
All students with LD have the same learning problems.


Reality
There are many different learning disabilities; each requires different strategies for accommodation and management. A student can have more than one learning disability.


Myth 8
Learning disabilities can be cured.


Reality
Learning disabilities are permanent conditions, but there are many methods for students to cope with these conditions.


Myth 9
Making accommodations means lowering standards for students with disabilities.


Reality
Accommodations are designed to enable students with learning disabilities to meet existing standards and compensate for processing deficits.


Myth 10
Children with LD will not be able to go to college.


Reality
LD children can be successful in a college environment. Many colleges and universities offer resources and accommodations for learning disabled students.


“The best predictor of success is not grades or aptitude scores, but the energy and commitment children devote to their interests and extracurricular activities.”


— Dr. Susan Baum, Ph.D.
Co-Author, To Be Gifted and Learning Disabled
Member, Smart Kids with LD Professional Advisory Board


Myths 1-5 Myths 6-9