Is ADHD a Learning Disability?
We know that ADHD affects the executive functions of the brain.
Evidence suggests that kids with ADHD are more likely to have a learning disability.
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Kids with learning disabilities are also more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.
How ADHD Affects Learning
On its own, ADHD can affect learning in a number of ways.
What Are Learning Disabilities?
Learning disabilitiesare neurological and do not reflect you or your childs intelligence or how hard you are trying.
A popular way to describe learning disabilities is that your brain is wired differently.
You receive and process information in a different way!
Learning disabilities can make reading, writing, spelling, and math difficult.
The term learning disabilities is a collective term for a range of specific learning challenges.
However, with the proper support and interventions, they can close that gap and demonstrate their skills.
However, their effects go beyond the classroom walls.
They can impact family relationships and life at home and at work.
In addition, learning disabilities affect a childs self-esteem.
There is a general assumption that if someone is smart, they do well in school.
However, this is not necessarily the case for someone who has a learning disability and ADHD.
A learning disability means a pupil experiences problems with learning and demonstrating their knowledge in the traditional way.
In addition, pupils with ADHD have difficulty conforming to neurotypical expectations in schools.
Kids often feel like they can’t do the tasks that other children seem to be doing easily.
As a result, they can feel isolated and different.
How Are Learning Disabilities and ADHD Diagnosed?
If you already have anADHD diagnosis, it can be easy to attribute all your challenges to ADHD.
It’s also important to remember that ADHD presents itself differently in everyone.
The same goes for learning disabilities.
This makes recognizing them harder.
There is no definitive checklist that professionals can use to make a diagnosis.
Like ADHD, there is a strong genetic component to learning disabilities.
If you or your partner have a learning disability, your children could have one too.
Remember, knowledge is power.
Learn as much as possible about learning disabilities and ADHD.
Who Can Make a Diagnosis?
Different specialists are qualified to test and diagnose different conditions.
There might be variations depending on where you live and an individual clinicians qualification.
Treating Both ADHD and Learning Disabilities
It is important to treat both ADHD and LDs.
Research has shown that getting the right diagnosis and support can help improve learning outcomes.
It is important to remember that having ADHD and a learning disability means that your brain works differently.
This means that the right pop in of treatment and support depends on the individual and their needs.
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