There appears to be a growing public awareness of LD and an understanding that some kids learn differently. But the poll shows that some people do not have a very clear idea of what dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning disabilities are. About 80 percent also linked learning disabilities with intellectual disabilities (referred to as “mental retardation” in the poll); 69 percent with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; and 75 percent with autism.
Under federal law, learning disabilities are defined as neurological disorders that may affect one’s ability to read, spell, write or do math, but are not associated with cognitive ability.“Children with “specific learning disabilities” make up the largest portion, about 40 percent, of 6.6 million students who receive services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.”
The poll was commissioned by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, which makes grants to support children with learning disabilities. The report says that 79% of parents and 80% of non-parents incorrectly associate mental retardation with a learning disorder.
More than 50 percent agree that learning disabilities are “often caused by the home environment children are raised in.”
Others chalk learning disabilities up to laziness. Some people also link learning disabilities to other disorders, such as blindness or deafness.
The poll also showed that teachers — who 31% of parents say they would turn to for information about learning disabilities — are equally confused. Forty-three percent (43%) of teachers think the home environment is at least partially to blame for children’s learning disabilities.
“Our findings show an alarming lack of knowledge by parents and educators about learning disabilities, said Stewart J. Hudson, President of the Tremaine Foundation. “These findings threaten our children’s futures and undermine efforts to improve educational outcomes for all.”
Poll: Learning Disabilities Are Often Misunderstoodby Christina Samuels
ADD, autism aren’t learning disabilities, but most think they are by Betty Klinck, USA TODAY