how can u determine of you have a learning disability?

Question

my grandmother has a disability and one of my cousins is somewhat mentally impaired. both of them need assistance to do everyday things like showering and just keeping up their appearances. They arent in wheelchairs or anything, their just really slow and cant take care of themselves. But the reason I'm asking is bc another one of my cousins feels like the reason she's having trouble in school sometimes is bc she thinks something might be wrong with her too. I have the same problem. Sometimes, I feel really slow mentally and that I could be doing better. So, is might I have gotten a little something from my family members?

Answer 1

There are "normal" variations in people's ability to learn. Some people, perhaps like your cousin, are just "slow learners." Perhaps their intellectual abilities are below average and, as a result, it takes them a bit longer and it is a bit more difficult for them to learn. It's just the other side of the coin from those people who are above average and for whom learning comes easily. If your cousin doesn't have physical problems, but is unable to care for herself, she likely has some kind of mental handicap.

There are also individuals who have specific learning disabilities. These people are usually of at least average intelligence, but have specific problems in learning which interfere with their ability to reach their potential. It could be a problem with reading, or with math or with writing, for example. For these folks, school can be especially frustrating, because they have the intellectual abilities, but are still unable to learn.

To actually diagnose a learning disability requires psycho-educational testing. This involves determining a person's general intellectual abilities and then seeing if their abilities in subjects like reading and math are at the levels you would expect. If they are not, then something is getting in the way. Sometimes it is motivation, or the environment or some other situational factor. Sometimes it is a specific problem with their way of thinking which prevents them from learning in the way most people learn. Additional testing can tease this out and also offer recommendations for better ways to teach people who have these specific learning problems.

If you are in school, at first step would be to speak to a guidance counsellor or a trusted teacher about the problems you experience with learning. If it seems appropriate, some testing might be completed at the school.

Hope thats of some help.

Answer 2

I think you can compare yourself to your friends, and see if you are different

But you seem ok :)