Definition of Learning Disabilities¹

Partial definition adopted by the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada on January 30, 2002, and presented on their website «www.ldac-tacc.ca».

"Learning Disabilities" refer to a number of disorders which may affect the acquisition, organization, retention, understanding or use of verbal or nonverbal information. These disorders affect learning in individuals who otherwise demonstrate at least average abilities essential for thinking and, or reasoning. As such, learning disabilities are distinct from global intellectual deficiency.

Learning disabilities result from impairments in one or more processes related to perceiving, thinking, remembering or learning. These include, but are not limited to: language processing; phonological processing; visual spatial processing; processing speed; memory and attention; and executive functions (e.g., planning and decision-making).

Learning disabilities range in severity and may interfere with the acquisition and use of one or more of the following:

• oral language (e.g., listening, speaking, understanding);
• reading (e.g., decoding, phonetic knowledge, word recognition, comprehension);
• written language (e.g., spelling and written expression); and
• mathematics (e.g., computation, problem solving).

Learning disabilities may also involve difficulties with organizational skills, social perception, social interaction and perspective taking.

Note:

1. Learning Disabilities Association of Canada. «www.ldac-tacc.ca» Accessed October 20, 2005.