Learning Disorders
About Learning Disorders (also called Learning Disabilities)
Learning Disorders affect the way a person takes in, stores, organizes, and/or expresses information. A diagnosis of a learning disorder does not mean that a person is unintelligent or unable to learn. Individuals with learning disorders have average or above average intelligence and are able to learn, but have impairments in one or more of the psychological processes related to learning. This impacts the ease or the manner in which they learn. Learning disorders may impact one or more areas of learning, including reading, writing, mathematics, and oral language. In addition to impacting academic functioning, learning disorders can also affect social functioning and daily living.
Understanding an individual’s areas of strength and need will help them to manage their learning disorder successfully. There are many strategies and accommodations (e.g., technological, environmental, and academic) that can be implemented to help students acquire the skills needed to learn and meet their goals.
More information about learning disorders can be found at this link.
Helpful Organizations
The Learning Disability Association of Ontario (LDAO) offers lectures to groups of families on a regular basis and provides information about learning disabilities and Ontario-based supports.
The Learning Disability Association Niagara Region (LDANR) is the Niagara chapter of the LDAO and offers information about local programs and services.
LD@home is another Ontario-based resource that offers families a wealth of information about learning disabilities.
Websites, Tools, Apps
Raz-Kids is a digital library with a variety of eBooks at different levels of reading difficulty, so students can choose books to read that match their skill.
Starfall Education Foundation offers free and low-cost learning content in the areas of reading and math for children from Kindergarten to Grade 3.
TVO Learn offers an overview of the Ontario curriculum requirements for students in Grades 1 through 8, along with resources and activities to help children learn.
Dance Mat Typing is a program that teaches keyboarding skills in a fun and engaging way.
Books
Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary “Executive Skills” Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare
Smart but Scattered Guide to Success: How to Use Your Brain’s Executive Skills To Keep Up, Stay Calm, and Get Organized at Work and at Home by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare
Smart but Scattered Teens by Richard Guare, Peg Dawson, and Colin Guare