Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Anxiety Disorder

What are Learning Disabilities?

Learning Disabilities (LDs) affect the way that a person takes in, processes, and uses verbal or non-verbal information. This makes learning and using academic skills (e.g.: word reading, reading comprehension, spelling, written expression, math calculation, and math reasoning) a significant challenge. Learning Disabilities affect people at varying levels of severity.

Learning Disabilities persist throughout the lifespan. However, they can be successfully managed by the following:

  • using the individual’s strengths and weaknesses to compensate;
  • providing accommodations in the classrooms and for examinations;
  • the use of specialized technology.

Learning Disabilities and their effects vary from person to person. Therefore, one’s pattern of learning abilities needs to be identified in order to find appropriate and effective strategies for compensation and remediation.

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

frustrated young business man working on laptop computer at homeAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural condition (neurobiological disorder) that is observable as early as the pre-school years, or early elementary school. It typically manifests most during transition phases (e.g.: beginning phases, such as starting elementary school, high school, or going away to College).

ADHD is a medical/psychological diagnosis that is typically categorized as:

Inattentive Presentation: characterized as having difficulty attending to tasks, trouble listening to and following directions, becoming easily sidetracked by other things going on, frequent daydreaming, losing and forgetting things (e.g.: books, lunch, shoes), distractibility, and inconsistent quality of work.

Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Presentation: Hyperactivity refers to having difficulty regulating one’s activity level; e.g.: being in constant motion, running around when others are seated, and feeling very restless. Impulsivity refers to having difficulty inhibiting behaviour, such as acting quickly without thinking, blurting out comments, and intolerance of boredom.

Combined Presentation: refers to having symptoms of both Inattention and Hyperactivity/Impulsivity.

Interestingly, children and adults with ADHD can also “hyper-focus” (e.g.: “He/she can play with Lego, play video games, or watch TV for hours”). This does not mean that he/she does not have an attention problem.

Students with ADHD tend to struggle more with learning and are more likely to receive lower grades than their non-ADHD peers. They may also display disruptive or oppositional behaviours.

What is Anxiety Disorder?

Many students who have learning difficulties exhibit signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety. This includes fear of failure and fear of performance. These anxieties can negatively impact learning problems.

Symptoms of stress and anxiety can include excessive worrying, headaches, muscle tension, and irritability. It is important to determine if a student has trouble concentrating because of attention issues, anxiety issues or both.

Psychological counselling is frequently recommended in order to deal with issues related to anxiety. Often accommodations (such as additional time) can alleviate stress and anxiety related to examinations.


  • Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO)
  • Brinckerhoff, Loring C., McGuire, M. and Stan F. Shaw. Postsecondary Education and Transition. 2nd ed. U.S.: Pro-ed, 2002.
  • Shaywitz, Sally, M.D. Overcoming Dyslexia. U.S.: Knopf, 2003.

A great thank you for your input. By writing an accurate report and proper comments in our son’s report you have helped us a lot in obtaining a positive answer from the Ministère de l’éducation. Thank you for your professionalism.

– Anonymous

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