Language-Based Learning Disability

Language-Based Learning Disability (reading spelling and writing) is the term used to describe children who are having problems with age-appropriate reading, writing and/or spelling. This disorder is not about how smart the person is. In fact, most children diagnosed with Language-Based Learning Disabilities have average to above-average intelligence.

Language-Based Learning Disability is not Dyslexia. Children with dyslexia have difficulties with written language. Children with Language-Based Learning disabilities have difficulty with the spoken and written forms of language.

There are many symptoms of Language-Based Learning Disabilities. Commonly a child will have difficulty

• Expressing ideas clearly
• Learning new vocabulary
• Understanding questions and following directions that are heard or read
• Understanding and retaining details of a story
• Reading and comprehending materials
• Understanding concepts such as left and right, before and after
• Identifying the sounds that correspond to letters, making learning to read difficult
• Spelling
• Understanding the instructions to complete a worksheet
• Understanding the subtle meaning in stories (the inferred meaning, the main idea, the themes)

If your child is falling behind at school and having difficulty maintaining grade-appropriate success academically the first place to start is a speech and language assessment.