How are learning disabilities defined?

Learning disabilities are primarily understood as neurological disorders that affect the brain's ability to process information. This definition encompasses a range of specific conditions that may impact skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as the overall capacity of an individual to learn in standard educational settings.

These disorders are not a reflection of a person's intelligence; rather, they indicate differences in processing visual and auditory information, memory, and other cognitive functions. This neurological perspective emphasizes that learning disabilities stem from the way the brain is wired, influencing how information is received, interpreted, and utilized for learning.

Physical conditions, emotional challenges, or environmental factors, while they can affect learning, do not accurately define learning disabilities. Such factors might interact with a learner’s experience but are separate issues that can exist alongside or independently of neurological disorders affecting learning processes.