Makindo Medical Notes

🧩 Introduction

Learning disabilities (LD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that impair how individuals acquire, process, or use information. They affect skills like reading, writing, maths, memory, attention, and coordination. ⚠️ LDs are not due to low intelligence or poor teaching; they reflect differences in brain function. 🌟 Early recognition + intervention = better outcomes.

⚠️ Causes and Risk Factors

• Genetic: Often familial; twin studies show strong heritability.
• Neurological: Differences in brain areas (e.g. left temporo-parietal cortex in dyslexia).
• Environmental: Prenatal alcohol/drugs, prematurity, low birth weight, malnutrition.
• Medical: Lead poisoning, meningitis, epilepsy, head injury.

📑 Types of Learning Disabilities

• 📖 Dyslexia: Reading and spelling difficulties, phonological deficits.
• ✍️ Dysgraphia: Poor handwriting, spelling, written expression.
• 🔢 Dyscalculia: Number sense/arithmetic problems.
• 👂 Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): Difficulty interpreting sounds despite normal hearing.
• 🧭 Non-verbal LD (NVLD): Poor visual–spatial skills, motor clumsiness, misreading social cues.
• ⚡ ADHD (often coexists): Impaired focus, impulsivity, hyperactivity impacting learning.

🔍 Clinical Features – Children vs Adults

👶 Children	👩 Adults
Late talking, speech delay. Difficulty learning alphabet, numbers, rhymes. Struggles with reading/writing at school age. Motor clumsiness, poor handwriting. Frustration, behaviour issues, bullying.	Persistent difficulty with reading, spelling, or maths despite normal intelligence. Slow reading or writing speed. Problems with time management, organisation ⏰. Workplace struggles (e.g., written tasks, memory recall). Low self-esteem, anxiety, underemployment.

🧾 Case Vignettes

Case 1 – Child (Dyslexia): A 9-year-old boy is brought by his parents with concerns that he “hates reading.” Despite normal intelligence and good oral skills, he struggles to decode simple words and avoids schoolwork. His teacher reports he reads two years below expected level. Diagnosis: dyslexia → confirmed with psychoeducational testing. Management: Individualised support plan, phonics-based interventions, extra time in exams.

Case 2 – Adult (Late Diagnosis): A 22-year-old university student reports difficulty completing timed written exams. He has always been “bright but slow” at reading, relying heavily on lecture recordings. Screening reveals persistent reading and spelling difficulties with average-to-high IQ. Diagnosis: previously undiagnosed dyslexia. Management: assistive technology (text-to-speech), university disability support, CBT for performance anxiety.

🧪 Diagnosis

• History: Developmental milestones, school reports, family history.
• Psychoeducational Testing: IQ + achievement gap (standardised tools).
• Language/Speech Assessment: Expressive/receptive skills.
• Medical Evaluation: Hearing/vision checks, neuro exam.

🎯 Management

LD management is multidisciplinary and tailored to each individual.

📘 Educational Support

• 📑 Individualised Education Plan (IEP) – tailored school goals.
• 👩‍🏫 Special education services – small group / one-to-one teaching.
• 💻 Assistive tech: Text-to-speech, audiobooks, calculators, speech-to-text.

🧠 Psychological & Behavioural Interventions

• 🧩 CBT – manage anxiety, frustration, self-esteem.
• 🤝 Social skills training – peer relationships, non-verbal cues.
• 🏠 Family counselling – reduce stress, support strategies at home.

💊 Medical Interventions

• ⚡ ADHD medications (methylphenidate, atomoxetine) if coexisting ADHD.
• 👓 Sensory correction (glasses, hearing aids).

📈 Prognosis

LDs are lifelong but not a barrier to success. With:

• 🌟 Early intervention
• 📚 Ongoing educational support
• 🧠 Psychological help

many individuals excel academically and professionally. 👉 Stigma-free, inclusive environments are vital.

✅ Conclusion

Learning disabilities affect both children and adults. Doctors, teachers, psychologists, and families must work together to ensure early detection, support, and lifelong adaptation. With the right strategies, individuals can thrive academically, socially, and occupationally. 🏫👩‍⚕️🌍