Specific Learning Disabilities
A specific learning disability is
A much poorer ability to achieve in one or more specific academic areas of learning than expected.
Due to the way the brain is processing information that is specifically related to the area or areas of learning affected.
Not due to poor hearing, poor eyesight, or lack of educational opportunity.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a reading/spelling disability. It is the most well known form of a specific learning disability (dys = difficulty with; lexia = words).
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin.
It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.
These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction.
Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.
Other specific learning disabilities include:
Dysgraphia: a neurologically based handwriting disability.
Dyscalculia: a neurologically based mathematical calculating disability.