Causes of Learning Disability
Three types of factors are found contributing to learning
disability: (1) genetic factors (2) psysiological factors (3) environmental
factors.
1. Genetic
factors: It has been found that many characteristics of learning disabilities
are transmitted from generation to generation. Scientists have succeeded in
identifying the particular genes that are responsible for learning disability, and
have estimated that in 20 to 25 percent cases, the learning disability is
contribution of heredity.
2. Physiological
factors: Dysfunction of the central nervous system resulting from brain damage
caused by accident , or lack of oxygen at the time birth, use of certain drugs
by mother at the time of pregnancy, vitamin deficiency during growing periods
etc. are found contributing to learning disability.
3. Environmental
factors: Poor nourishment of the foetus for development in motehr’s womb,
pre-mature delivery, malnutrition during early age, severe diseases, accidents and
injuries; insufficient early experience and stimulation in terms of learning,
impairment of sense organs, poor or inadequate instruction received on account
of their family set-up, lack of motivation, social and cultural deprivation
etc. are environmental factors contributing to learning disability.
Identification of Learning Disabled Children
A learning disabled child can be identified either by using
a no-testing device or by using a testing device.
1. Non-testing
devices: This includes techniques like observation, rating scale, checklist,
interview etc. By using these devices, steps are taken to identify the learning
disabled in relation to their general personality and particular
characteristics. Opinion of teachers or parents regarding the learning abilities,
intellectual level, scholastic potential etc. of the learners may also be
collected and pooled together to diagnosis and identify learning disabled
children.
2. Testing
devices: This includes standardized diagnostic tests, achievement tests, ability
tests, and teacher made tests. The standard norms given in standardized diagnostic
tests for a particular age group will help to assess and compare the relative
education standard of the children with learning disability. Ability tests or
process tests are tests designed to assess the degree of an idea about the extent
of difficulty experienced by the individual in the process of learning and understanding.
Standardized achievement tests and teacher
made tests will give quantifiable information regarding the learning disability
of individuals.
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