Assessment of Specific Learning Disability in...

Assessment of Specific Learning Disability in Children: A Preliminary Study

Author Name : Nishtha Kumar, Dr. Amool Ranjan Singh

INTRODUCTION

Learning is a process by which one acquires knowledge and skills, and memory is the process by which one retains that knowledge over time. Both the abilities play a central role in determining children’s academic success. One need to retain previously learned material so that he/she can be benefitted from it in subsequent learning, hence poor ability to memorize may have detrimental effect on further learning. Unfortunately many children fail to learn despite having adequate learning potentials. They face learning problems despite having normal intelligence and adequate opportunity to learn.

Specific learning disability refers to a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders manifesting as persistent difficulties in learning to efficiently read (Dyslexia), write (Dysgraphia) or perform mathematical calculation (Dyscalculia) despite normal intelligence, conventional schooling, intact hearing and vision, adequate motivation and socio-cultural opportunity (Lagae, 2008). Although,  various authors have described learning in different contexts. One of the major definitions yet used is any relatively permanent change in behavior (or behavior potential) resulting from experience. An individual  needs to retain previously learned material so that he/she can be benefitted from it when needed , hence poor ability to memorize may have detrimental effect on further learning.

Unfortunately many children fail to learn despite having adequate learning potentials. They face learning problems despite having normal intelligence and adequate opportunity to learn. There are a variety of conditions including attentional, behavioural, and emotional problems (e.g. ADHD, severe emotional disturbances, specific learning disability etc.) which may contribute to their learning problems.

National Joint Committee for Learning Disabilities (NJCLD, 1982, 1987) defines Specific Learning Disability as “a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, speak, read, spell or to do mathematical calculations. The term includes such conditions as perceptual handicaps, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia and developmental aphasia.

Specific learning disability is one of the major condition due to which a large number of children fail to learn and even dropout from school especially in government sector and low socio economic backgrounds . The term Specific Learning Disability emerged from a need to identify and serve those children who continually fail in school and yet are not mentally retarded.