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Learning Disabilities Causes, Treatments Commonly Misunderstood, Survey Shows

Myths Debunked: Are Medications, IQ Related To Learning Disabilities?
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A recent nationwide survey of nearly 2,000 Americans by the National Center for Learning Disabilities has found that many people are uncertain about the causes and treatments of learning disabilities, and believe more education on the subject is needed in their children’s schools.

Of those who took the online survey, 12 percent indicated they have a learning disability, while 8 percent of the parents surveyed said they have a child with a learning disability.

Regarding types of learning disabilities, two-thirds of individuals do not know what dysgraphia (difficulty with handwriting), dyscalculia (difficulty with math) and dyspraxia (difficulty with motor skill development) are, whereas 91 percent are familiar with dyslexia.

One-third of respondents said it is appropriate to ask a job candidate if they have a learning disability, when in fact doing so is illegal. Forty-three percent of those polled also incorrectly believe that learning disabilities are correlated with IQ.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans know someone who has a learning disability, according to the survey. Additionally, 37 percent of parents say their child’s school inadequately tests for learning disabilities, and 64 percent claim their child’s school does not provide information on learning disabilities.

Most parents of children with learning disabilities -- 75 percent -- believe they could do more to help their child.

Check out the slideshow below for more of the survey’s findings:

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Before You Go

Learning Disability Myths
Learning Disability Diagnosis(01 of07)
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Learning disabilities are believed to be diagnosed in early schooling. 53 percent of respondents indicated that learning disabilities are diagnosed during grades 1-4, while 23 percent think that they're diagnosed in kindergarten. (credit:Alamy)
Learning Disability Causes(02 of07)
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Over one-third of individuals surveyed think that a lack of early childhood parent/teacher involvement can cause a learning disability. (credit:Alamy)
Learning Disability Causes(03 of07)
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76 percent correctly say that genetics can cause learning disabilities. (credit:Alamy)
Learning Disability Causes(04 of07)
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22 percent think learning disabilities can be caused by too much time spent watching television; 31 percent believe poor diet is a cause; 24 percent believe childhood vaccinations are a cause. None of these are factors. (credit:Getty)
Learning Disability Treatments(05 of07)
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Respondent were uncertain about how to treat learning disabilities. 83 percent say that early intervention can help, but over half incorrectly cite medication and mental health counseling as treatments. (credit:Getty)
Learning Disability Treatments(06 of07)
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55 percent of Americans wrongly believe that corrective eyewear can treat certain learning disabilities. (credit:Alamy)
Learning Disability (07 of07)
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45 percent of the parents of children with learning disabilities say that their child has been bullied in the past year. (credit:Alamy)
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