Learning disorders affect the way a child processes and applies information, which can make tasks like reading, writing, or solving simple math problems difficult. For many families, it’s discouraging to watch a child put in real effort yet continue to fall behind or struggle in ways their peers do not.
Learning disorders can impact not only academic progress but also a child’s confidence, self-esteem, and motivation. With the right support, however, children with learning disorders can discover their strengths, build new skills, and thrive both in and out of the classroom.
At Excel Psychology, our providers work closely with families and educators to ensure recommendations are easy to understand and actionable, helping your child get the right resources to reach their full potential.
Understanding Learning Disorders
A learning disorder happens when a child has consistent trouble in certain school subjects, such as reading, writing, or math. These challenges are not a reflection of intelligence but rather how their brains process information.
The gap between what’s expected for a child’s age and grade level and how they actually perform is what signals a learning disorder. Over time, this can affect both academic performance and everyday activities.
Learning disorders (also called learning disabilities, or LDs) affect the way the brain processes information. This can involve difficulties with how your child:
- Takes in new information
- Organizes and makes sense of it
- Retains what they’ve learned
- Understands concepts
- Uses the information in practical ways
LDs can affect verbal information (like reading, writing, or speaking) or nonverbal information (like math, spatial reasoning, or social understanding). These challenges can range from mild to severe, and every child’s experience looks a little different.
It’s important to know that learning disorders are not the same as intellectual disabilities. Children with LDs usually have average or even above-average IQs. The issue isn’t intelligence, it’s how the brain processes and applies information.
Overlapping Conditions with Learning Disorders
Learning disorders often don’t occur in isolation. Many children experience them alongside other psychiatric or developmental conditions. Common conditions that may occur alongside learning disorders include:
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Anxiety & Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Studies suggest that 20-70% of children with psychiatric conditions may also have a learning disorder. Recognizing these overlaps is important, since treating both the learning and emotional aspects helps children succeed in school and life.
Types of Learning Disorders
Learning disorders can affect different areas of a child’s education, most often reading, writing, or math.
Specific Learning Disorder with Impairment in Reading
Learning disorder with impairment in reading makes reading and language-related tasks more difficult. It occurs when the brain has trouble processing written words, making it hard to connect sounds with letters and understand how letters form words.
Signs in children may include:
- Difficulty spelling simple words
- Trouble learning letter names and rhyming
- Struggling to sound out new words
- Reading slowly or at an unusual pace
- Difficulty understanding or remembering what was read
- Trouble making inferences based on text
Even after basic reading is learned, children may continue to struggle with comprehension, spelling, and fluency.
Dyslexia is a related term sometimes used to describe difficulties with decoding words (e.g., reading accurately), encoding words (e.g., spelling accurately), and quickly retrieving symbolic data while processing information.
Specific Learning Disorder with Impairment in Written Expression
Writing is a complex skill that requires vision, fine motor coordination, and language processing. Learning disorder with impairment in written expression affects the ability to turn thoughts into written language, even with proper instruction.
Signs of writing disorder may include:
- Hard-to-read handwriting
- Slow or effortful writing
- Trouble recalling how to form letters or shapes
- Poorly organized written work
- Difficulty with grammar, spelling, and punctuation
- Trouble putting thoughts into clear sentences
Dysgraphia is a term sometimes used to describe difficulties with writing accurately and fluently.
Specific Learning Disorder with Impairment in Mathematics
Learning disorder with impairment in mathematics involves difficulty understanding number concepts and performing calculations. A child with this specific learning disorder may have trouble with:
- Counting in order
- Memorizing math facts, such as multiplication tables
- Understanding how numbers relate to each other
- Solving simple equations from memory
- Organizing or setting up math problems
- Understanding math symbols or word problems
Dyscalculia is a term sometimes used to describe difficulties with accurately and efficiently performing mathematical computations.
Causes & Risk Factors of Learning Disorders
Although research is ongoing about the exact causes of learning disorders, current evidence suggests they result from a mix of genetic and environmental factors. In many cases, differences in the brain’s structure or chemical activity affect how information is received, processed, and communicated.
Certain factors may increase the likelihood of developing a learning disorder, including:
- Family history of learning disabilities
- Premature birth
- Prenatal alcohol exposure
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Growing up in poverty or stressful environments
- Coexisting neurodevelopmental conditions
Diagnosis of Learning Disorders
Learning disorders are typically first suspected by parents or teachers once a child begins formal education. The path to a diagnosis can vary depending on whether it’s through a school-based evaluation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or a comprehensive psychological assessment done privately.
At Excel Psychology, we provide detailed psychological testing that goes beyond school assessments. Our evaluations not only pinpoint challenges but also highlight strengths, offering families and schools a clear action plan for support.
Our comprehensive psychological evaluation typically involves:
- Observing your child in different settings
- Interviews with caregivers, teachers, and the child
- Assessments of cognitive, academic, and emotional functioning
- Screening for conditions that may overlap
- Reviewing medical and family history
- Inputs from school reports and teachers
We also partner directly with schools across Utah to make sure test results translate into meaningful accommodations and strategies in the classroom.
Management of Learning Disorders
At Excel Psychology, we believe that every child can succeed with the right support. Managing a learning disorder is about understanding your child’s unique needs and giving them the tools to thrive. The best plan depends on the type and severity of the learning challenge, and it often involves a team approach.
Our team provides therapy, speech therapy, and comprehensive psychological support to address your child’s individual needs.
We also work closely with schools across Utah to make sure that the strategies used in the classroom align with the strategies you use at home. This ensures your child experiences consistent support in every part of their learning journey.
Types of Educational Support for Learning Disorders
Educational interventions usually happen at three levels:
- Accommodation: Your child learns the same curriculum as their peers but with supportive resources. For example, they may get more time on assignments or tests, have reduced workloads, use audiobooks, or use assistive technology like text-to-speech software.
- Modification: The school adapts goals and assignments to reduce the impact of the learning disorder. For instance, your child might give test answers verbally instead of in writing.
- Remediation: Targeted interventions that directly address the learning difficulty, such as specialized reading instruction or math tutoring.
If your child qualifies for special education services, they may receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This plan outlines specific learning goals, the services provided, and the specialists involved.
Some children need support in just one subject area, while others may benefit from a more comprehensive program. By law, children with learning disorders should participate in mainstream classrooms as much as possible while still receiving the support they need.
Expert Learning Disorders Testing & Treatment in Utah
If your child is struggling with reading, writing, or math despite their best efforts, professional testing for a learning disorder can help them get the support they need.
At Excel Psychology, we provide thorough evaluations that pinpoint learning challenges, highlight strengths, and guide the right interventions, so your child can learn with confidence.
With convenient locations in Provo, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, we make specialized mental health care accessible throughout Utah. To schedule an appointment, please call our office or complete our online form.
