learning disability

noun

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Definition of learning disability

: any of various conditions (such as dyslexia or dysgraphia) that interfere with an individual's ability to learn and so result in impaired functioning in language, reasoning, or academic skills (such as reading, writing, and mathematics) and that are thought to be caused by difficulties in processing and integrating information — called also learning difference

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learning disabled

adjective

See learning disability defined for English-language learners

See learning disability defined for kids

Recent Examples of learning disability from the Web

By January 2019, each local board of education will be required to develop policies, outlined in the bill, for addressing the identification of kindergarten through third-grade students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

— emma austin, The Courier-Journal, "Sex ed, terrorism and revenge porn: New Kentucky laws start Saturday," 13 July 2018
Getting children off to the right start pays off, reducing juvenile delinquency, addictions, school dropout rates, learning disabilities, obesity and other problems.

— kansascity, "Jean Paul Bradshaw," 30 June 2018
Getting children off to the right start pays off, reducing juvenile delinquency, addictions, school dropout rates, learning disabilities, obesity and other problems.

— kansascity, "Jean Paul Bradshaw," 30 June 2018
Neimann-Pick is frequently confused for other things, such as learning disabilities and delayed development of fine motor skills, which means there are kids out there — and terrified parents — who just haven't found answers.

— sarah schreiber, Good Housekeeping, "This 18-Month-Old Girl Has "Childhood Alzheimer's" and Needs Your Help," 6 Apr. 2017
There is no cure, but physical therapy and medication are used to combat symptoms that include trouble walking and running, frequent falling and difficulty getting up, and learning disabilities, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

— wayne k. roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Firefighters answer call to make boy's birthday dream come true," 7 July 2018
Getting children off to the right start pays off, reducing juvenile delinquency, addictions, school dropout rates, learning disabilities, obesity and other problems.

— kansascity, "Jean Paul Bradshaw," 30 June 2018
Both syndromes feature uncontrollable and severe seizures resulting in some form of learning disability, such as hindered languages and motor skills.

— lilly price, USA TODAY, "FDA approves first marijuana-based epilepsy drug: CBD oil," 26 June 2018
The nonprofit organization already runs a large 2-1-1 center that fields a wide range of calls — from residents who are suicidal to domestic violence victims to parents concerned that their children may have learning disabilities.

— kate santich, OrlandoSentinel.com, "New texting program aimed at opioid epidemic," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'learning disability.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of learning disability

1936

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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