Is ADD A Learning Disability?

Attention Deficit Disorder, in itself, is not a learninghave problems spelling and reading, writing, and
disability. The term "learning disability" typicallyarithmetic disorders may arise. Likewise, dyslexia,
refers to a perceptual disability, such as ana reading disorder, is common in children with
auditory or visual processing disorder, like autismADD. However, none of these disabilities is
or dyslexia. A person with ADD, however, has noinherent to Attention Deficit Disorder. While some
problems perceiving or interpreting information.children may have them, many will not.
Therefore, it does not qualify as a learningWhereas ADD may cause difficulty in learning,
disability.steps may be taken to help the child perform well
Although it is often jumbled in with the mass ofin spite of the disorder. Most ADD children do
"disabilities", ADD actually does not hinder thebetter with a schedule - the exact same thing,
process of learning. A child with ADD can intakeday in and day out. Because they may have
information, process it accordingly, and preserve itproblems with memory retention and are easily
in memory, just like any other person. Thedistracted, this helps them stay on track, because
problem comes with getting them to paythey are acting out of habit.
attention long enough to hear the information inThe same goes for organization; a set way to do
the first place!things and places to put things makes it easier to
A child with Attention Deficit Disorder may haveremember and stay on course. On the same
difficulties in school and with learning in general, buttoken, teaching the child to utilize organizational
it is not due to a learning disability. Often, when abinders and planners also helps them stay
child is treated for ADD, their academicorganized and keep up with important
performance improves by leaps and bounds. Onassignments.
the other hand, an individual with ADD may notDuring class time, it helps if an interactive
have any difficulty in learning at all; this will varyapproach is taken as opposed to a lecturing style
by person.- this keeps the child's attention better and
However, while ADD is not a learning disability, it isdecreases the likelihood of distractions.
often accompanied by one or many. SomeThe most important thing is to not make ADD a
children, particularly at the preschool age, maycrutch for the child; they can grow and be
have difficulty interpreting sounds or words andsuccessful, even with this disorder.
may also have speech issues. Older children may