OCTOBER 2009 Learning Disabilities: A Hidden Barrier By Janna Charles National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an opportunity to not only acknowledge disability in the workplace, but also learn about topics such as Learning Disabilities (LD). Learning disabilities, as opposed to other disabilities such as vision impairment or paralysis, are invisible -- or considered a hidden handicap. For this reason, they tend to be misunderstood and their impact underestimated. Why not take this quiz to gauge your own understanding of Learning Disabilities? QUESTIONS: What is the learning disability Dysgraphia? A language-based disorder characterized by difficulties in processing words A neurological disorder characterized by difficulty with the mechanics of writing and is often accompanied by reading and speaking difficulties  Profound difficulties learning concepts in math, despite instruction, intelligence and sound sensory functioning  A speech-based disorder that makes it difficult to translate written words into speech What percentage of school-age children are dyslexic? Less than one percent 15-20 percent 10-15 percent 48 percent What causes learning disabilities? Heredity Pregnancy and birth related problems such as alcohol or drug use during pregnancy, lack of oxygen to fetus, prematurity, prolonged labor Incidents after birth such as head injuries, poor nutrition, exposure to toxic substances, etc. Though there are many hypotheses, experts are not yet sure as to the cause Which of these IS classified as a learning disorder? Autism Deafness Dyscalculia Schizophrenia True or False: As many as 1 out of every 5 people in the U.S. has a learning disability. True False Twenty-seven percent: what is the significance of this percentage as it relates to learning disabilities? The number of children with learning disabilities that drop out of high school The number of students receiving special education services through the public schools because of a learning disability The percentage of students who spend 80 percent or more of their time in school in special education classes The percentage of children whose learning disabilities go unnoticed and unaccommodated throughout middle and high school Which of these famous individuals have a learning disability? Michael Phelps Orlando Bloom Whoopi Goldberg Vince Vaughn All of the above What is a Vocational Rehabilitation Agency? A facility designed to assess and remedy learning disabilities A state-supported division of services that provides employment resources to individuals with disabilities A federally funded organization designed to serve low-income individuals with disabilitie. A consulting agency that gives legal advice to individuals concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act ANSWERS: B. A neurological disorder characterized by difficulty with the mechanics of writing and is often accompanied by reading and speaking difficulties. The cause of the disorder is unknown. Some symptoms associated with dysgraphia include disorganization or lack of clear purpose in writing, difficulty with physical activities, poor handwriting, inappropriately space letters, and wrong spelling despite instruction. C. 10-15 percent. Dyslexia is a disorder that makes it difficult to decode single words and can cause problems in reading, writing and spelling. Difficulties with basic reading and language skills are the most common learning disabilities. As many as 80 percent of students with Learning Disabilities experience problems with reading. D. Though there are many hypotheses, experts are not yet sure as to the cause.  In fact, heredity, problems during pregnancy and birth and injuries are all possible explanations for learning disabilities. In simplified terms, learning disabilities are thought to be caused by differences in how a person's brain works and how it processes information. New evidence suggests that most learning disabilities do not stem from a single, specific area of the brain, but from difficulties in bringing together information from various brain regions causing subtle disturbances in brain structures and functions. SOURCE: www.floridatechnet.org/bridges/factsandstats.pdf C. Dyscalculia. This is a mathematical disability in which a person has a difficult time solving arithmetic problems and grasping math concepts. B. False . As many as 1 in 5 people in the United States have a learning disability. Almost three million children (ages 6 to 21) have some form of learning disability and receive special education in school. SOURCE: www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs7txt/htm A. The number of children with learning disabilities that drop out of high school. As for the other answer options, 51 percent of students receive special education services through public schools because of a learning disability and 45 percent of students with learning disabilities spend 80 percent or more of their time in special education classes. The last option is fabricated. SOURCE: 23rd Annual Report to Congress, U.S. Department of Education accessed through www.floridatechnet.org/bridges/factsandstats.pdf E. All of the above. All of these famous individuals have Dyslexia, ADHD or other learning disabilities. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps made history by breaking records and winning eight gold medals. He also inspired thousands by speaking candidly about having ADHD. His mother has also been very public about telling their story. Orlando Bloom, the popular English actor, played Legolas, the elf warrior in the film trilogy, The Lord of the Rings.  Whoopi Goldberg is an actress and comedian who has used her stardom to raise money to eliminate homelessness. Vince Vaughn is a movie actor who was featured in The Break-Up, Wedding Crashers, and Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. SOURCE: http://www.greatschools.net/LD/managing/famous-people-dyslexia-ld-or-ad-hd.gs?content=696 B. A state-supported division of services that provides employment resources to individuals with disabilities. Vocational rehabilitation (VR), assists individuals with disabilities who are pursuing careers. VR assists those individuals to secure gainful employment commensurate with their abilities and capabilities through local job searches, and promotes awareness of self-employment and telecommuting opportunities. In addition to VR, some states have separate agencies serving individuals who are blind and visually impaired. SOURCE: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/cgi-win/TypeQuery.exe?902 TAKE MORE QUIZZES! Search for a variety of topics in our Cultural Diversity at Work Archive. Here are some to get you started! Famous African American Firsts by Molly Elfers How Much Do You Know About the U.S. Civil Rights Movement by Molly Elfers Celebrate American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month by Emily Sugiyama back to top

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