Learning Disability

There are twelve processing areas of the brain:

• Visual Sequencing
• Visual Memory
• Visual Abstraction (understanding)
• Auditory Sequencing
• Auditory Memory
• Auditory Abstraction
• Verbal Production
• Visual Motor Memory
• Visual Motor Learning
• Concentration
• Integration
• Non-Verbal Concepts
• The two sides of the brain work together to perform tasks. For instance, the left side of the brain remembers the shape of a letter and the right side of the brain makes the written letter legible. If a person is mostly left-brained, their handwriting might be illegible; however, if they are mostly right brained, their writing will be beautiful but they will be easily distracted from completing the task!

For a comparison summary of the characteristics of each side of the brain visit: www.chemeketa.edu/wso/hidden.html

A person can have a deficit in any of the areas and strengths in others.

Most people with a learning disability have average to above average intelligence and present themselves very well. This is why a learning disability is called “hidden”. However, there will be certain tasks that will be difficult for them due to the processing difficulties. Here are a list of some of those difficulties:

Auditory

• Dyslexia
• Dyscalculia
• Visit this link for other common symptoms

For tips on serving customers with a learning disability, visit:

www.chemeketa.edu/wso/servingld.html

Updated September, 2009 by Cassy Polen, Disability Program Navigator.