If you’re an educator, you already know this. Children (and adults) with LD, or Learning Disabilities, generally have average or above average intelligence, yet they often do not achieve at the same academic level as their peers.
Weaker academic achievement, particularly in reading, written language, and math, is perhaps the most fundamental characteristic of LD. Significant deficits often exist in memory, metacognition, and social skills as well.
The question then becomes: Do you understand the relationship between LD and reading problems? In its simplest terms, individuals who have LD in reading have difficulties decoding or recognizing words like letter/sound omissions, insertions, substitutions, or reversals. Additionally these struggling readers are challenged by comprehension (e.g., recalling or discerning basic facts, main ideas, sequences, or themes). They also may lose their place while reading or may read in a choppy manner.
We're referring of course to dyslexia. Dyslexia is best understood as a type of reading disability. During early childhood, children with dyslexia have difficulties learning spoken language. Later they have trouble decoding and spelling words and, consequently, are likely to experience comprehension problems also.
Research shows that teaching phonics as the core foundation to reading, significantly helps treat dyslexia. Learn more about LD and dyslexia in the context of reading problems:
Dyslexia: Learning Disability Information
Research Shows Why Phonics Helps Dyslexics Learn to Read
The Neurobiology of Reading and Dyslexia
Source: Council for Exceptional Children