Learning disability

Introduction – What is a learning disability?

We have been using the term “learning disability” in German since the 1960s. Even today, the definition of learning disability is still controversial and there have been numerous attempts to define the term in recent decades. The definition of the pedagogue Gustav Otto Kanter, who understands the learning disability as a “long-lasting, serious and extensive school achievement failure”, is considered plausible. Kanter assumes that the affected persons are impaired in their intelligence.

What is the IQ for a learning disability?

The intelligence quotient, IQ, is a value determined by means of an intelligence test and is intended to quantify the intellectual capacity, i.e. the intelligence of a person. An average IQ value is 100. A learning disability, also known as giftedness, is defined in the range of an IQ value between 70 – 84.

By which symptoms can I recognize a learning disability?

It is not always easy to identify and correctly diagnose a learning disability. Often, however, certain signs of a learning disability do occur. Those affected often behave very passively and unconsciously make themselves psychologically dependent on other people.

As a result, people with learning disabilities are dependent on care and protection. A typical symptom of a learning disability is a low tolerance for frustration. Those affected can become conspicuous through disturbed control of their own impulses, for example through aggressive behaviour or self-injury.

In addition, people with learning disabilities are often conspicuous by a reduced ability to adapt in everyday life. They often have problems with both verbal and non-verbal communication. This can make living together considerably more difficult, as those affected often find it difficult to make themselves understood and at the same time have severe problems understanding.

Those affected may have difficulties in completing simple tasks, which often impairs their social development. This can lead to abnormalities such as adaptation problems, conspicuous behavior and possibly even physical symptoms. It is important to recognize a learning disability and to distinguish it from mental illness and dementia. Thorough diagnostics are necessary to support those affected. The symptoms at a glance:

  • Low frustration tolerance
  • Problems in verbal and non-verbal communication
  • Reduced adaptability and adaptation disorders
  • Conspicuous behavior
  • Impaired social development
  • Disturbed control of the own impulses
  • Psychologically dependent on other people
  • Problems of comprehension