Beginning To Understand

“An important part of the definition of LD is its exclusions: learning disabilities cannot be attributed primarily to mental retardation, emotional disturbance, cultural difference or disadvantage. Thus, the concept of LD focuses on the notion of a discrepancy between a child’s academic achievement and his or her apparent capacity to learn” (Learning Disabilities 54). This statement provides an insightful look as to how learning disabilities should be defined. Learning disabilities should relate more to academics and how well individuals can achieve in their academics instead of focusing on any background reason that may cause any mental handicaps. Once a common definition has been established the classification system will significantly improve and the community of learning disabilities will be accurately representative of those who are meant to partake in the community.

Source: Lyon, G. Reid. “Learning Disabilities.” The Future of Children, vol. 6, no. 1, 1996, pp. 54–76. www.jstor.org/stable/1602494.