Causes of Learning Disabilities

Since the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed in 1975, the category of students labeled as having a learning disability has grown at the fastest rate. Here are some of the causes of learning disabilities. It is important to note, however, that children with the following risk factors will not necessarily have a learning disability. Also, it is not always possible to pinpoint exactly where a learning disability came from. What is more important is working to help the child.

Brain Injury

Brain injury is one possible cause of a learning disability. Brain injury can occur at any stage of a child's development. It may occur to a child as a fetus, for example, if the child's mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy, smokes, or uses drugs. It could also occur because of errors in brain development as a fetus. Brain injury can also occur as a result of the mother contracting measles during pregnancy. Being born prematurely is another possible cause. During birth, oxygen deprivation can cause brain damage. And brain injury can also occur as a result of a high fever, head injury or other accident, or because of certain illnesses such as meningitis.

Heredity

Another cause of learning disabilities is heredity. Identical twin studies have shown that there is a genetic link, even when the two twins have been reared apart. Studies have also shown that if either one or both parents have a learning disability, the possibility of their children having the same learning disability is 30%-50%. Critics of this research, however, point out that such a high percentage could also be explained by the fact that parents and children share many of the same environmental factors.

Biochemical Cause

Chemical imbalances are another cause of learning disabilities. This cause is seen in children whose learning disability is related to an attention problem, which usually has its roots in a chemical imbalance.

Environmental Causes

In addition to the above causes, which are all physiological, environmental factors can play a role in a child's learning disability. Children in poorer areas tend to have a greater risk of having a learning disability. This is due to several factors. For one thing, children in poor families tend to have inadequate nutrition and little access to affordable healthcare. Children who are exposed to high stress or emotionally charged situations for long periods may develop a learning disability. Children in poor families may have less access to parental stimulation or enriching experiences. Exposure to toxins in the environment, such as cadmium and lead, can also lead to a learning disability.

References

Friend, M. (2005). Special Education: Contemporary Perspectives for School Professionals. 2nd ed. U.S.: Pearson Education, Inc . p137-138.

Childhood Learning Disabilities: What Causes Learning Disabilities?