Learning Disabilities

Research to date shows no single cause for a learning disability. Learning disabilities often seem to be caused by a neurological problem, a problem the person has in his or her nervous system. Often a person is born with the learning disability.

This learning disability exists in spite of any other major problems a person has. Major problems can include emotional disturbance, when the person has one or more disorders of emotion, such as unfounded fears (phobias) or great sadness (depression). Major problems also include developmental delay (mental retardation). The person with developmental delay does not appear as intelligent as the average person. The delay can range from mildly retarded to severely retarded and is a lifelong problem. Other major problems might include deafness, a poor home life, and so on.

Some LD is inherited, meaning that it has a genetic cause. Genetic causes are conditions caused by the genes of the child's biological father and mother and are passed on to the child. Perhaps some LD results from different “brain wiring.” A less common cause of LD is an accident at birth or later in life. It's hard to know for sure what exactly causes LD. Scientists are still working to find out what causes LD, and more important, how to prevent it.