Up coming National Convention

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - Sunday, March 1, 2009.
at the Little America Grand Hotel in Salt Lake City

LDAU members who volunteer at the annual conference can receive a portion of the conference for free

Papers for Presenters Due May 15, 2008

What are Learning Disabilities

Nearly 1 in 7 people has some form of learning disability. But what exactly is a learning disability? How does it affect our life? What can we do to adapt? How can we succeed? Answers to these and many other questions can be found here.

A learning disability is a neurological disorder. In simple terms, a learning disability results from a difference in the way a person's brain is "wired." Children and adults with learning disabilities are as smart or smarter than their peers. But they may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling or organizing information if left to figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways. They may also have difficulty socializing with others unless properly mentored.

A learning disability can't be cured or fixed; it is a lifelong issue. With the right support and intervention, however, people with learning disabilities can succeed in school and go on to successful, often distinguished careers later in life.

Parents can help children with learning disabilities achieve such success by encouraging their strengths, knowing their weaknesses, understanding the educational system, working with professionals and learning about strategies for dealing with specific difficulties.

Not all great minds think alike

Did you know that Albert Einstein couldn't read until he was nine? Walt Disney, General George Patton, and Vice President Nelson Rockefeller had trouble reading all their lives. Whoopi Goldberg, Charles Schwab and many others have learning disabilities which haven't affected their ultimate success.