![Teacher Assisting a Student](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/48ba1b6236324c869c85627544bb9740.jpg/v1/fill/w_581,h_387,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/48ba1b6236324c869c85627544bb9740.jpg)
LEARNING
DISABILITIES
The Big 3...ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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Characteristics
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fidgets with hands or feet, squirms in seat
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restless, often leaves seat in classroom
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runs around or climbs excessively
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is always “on the go”,acts as if “driven by a motor”
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talks excessively, hyper-talkative
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acts without thinking, starts tasks before listening to, or reading, directions,
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blurts out answers before the question has been completed
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difficulty waiting their turn, interrupts or intrudes on others, butts into conversations or games
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impulsive, doesn't think through the consequences, no concept of cause and effect
Possible Retained Primitive Reflexes
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Moro Reflex
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Spinal Galant Reflex
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Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
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Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
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Brain Hemisphere Imbalance - ADHD is often characteristic of a right brain deficiency.
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ADHD
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5aeeaf91420c410b8b9504d587e95373.jpg/v1/fill/w_327,h_218,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/5aeeaf91420c410b8b9504d587e95373.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/614ce7138c814c1482248d58895941e0.jpg/v1/fill/w_392,h_294,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/614ce7138c814c1482248d58895941e0.jpg)
ADD
Attention Deficit Disorder (without the hyperactivity)
Characteristics
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fails to give close attention to details, makes careless mistakes in schoolwork
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easily distracted, has difficulty paying attention in long to tedious tasks
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does not seem to listen when spoken to directly, a daydreamer
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struggles to follow through on instructions and to finish schoolwork
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poor organization, messy desk/locker/bedroom, often loses things
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forgetful, will complete assignments then not hand them in
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needs to move, will squirm, tap fingers or toes, typically small movements, not disruptive
Possible Retained Primitive Reflexes
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Moro Reflex
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Spinal Galant Reflex
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Automatic Gait Reflex
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Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
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Brain Hemisphere Imbalance - ADD is often characteristic of a right brain deficiency.
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Dyslexia Disorder
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Characteristics of Dyslexia by age:
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Young children will struggle with:
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recognizing letters, matching letters to sounds and blending sounds into speech
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pronouncing words, for example saying "mawn lower" instead of "lawn mower"
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learning and correctly using new vocabulary words
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learning the alphabet, numbers, and days of the week
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rhyming
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School-age children will struggle with:
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mastering the rules of spelling
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remembering facts and numbers
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handwriting or gripping a pencil correctly
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learning and understanding new skills; instead relying heavily on memorization
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reading and spelling, such as reversing letters (d,b,w,m) or moving letters around (left,felt)
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following a sequence of directions
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trouble with word problems in math
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Teenagers and adults will struggle with:
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reading at the expected level
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understanding non-literal language, such as idioms, jokes, or proverbs
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reading aloud
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organizing and managing time
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trouble summarizing a story
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learning a foreign language
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memorizing information
Possible Retained Primitive Reflexes
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Moro Reflex
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ASymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
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Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
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Brain Hemisphere Imbalance - Dyslexia is often characteristic of a left brain deficiency.
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DYSLEXIA
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/88e47c3e63684d1c91a4de7a8f82e9c8.jpg/v1/fill/w_327,h_218,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/88e47c3e63684d1c91a4de7a8f82e9c8.jpg)