1. PROBABLE
CAUSES OF
LEARNING DISABILITIES

2. BRAIN
DAMAGE
Neurological dysfunction

3. CONDITIONS:
Hereditary
 Inherited disease or disorder that damages
the brain
Innate
 Biological influences during
conception/pregnancy
Congenital
 Biological influences during gestation
(prenatal, perinatal, postnatal)

4. Children with Learning
Disability
Has Brain Damage/Injury
Has No Brain
Damage/Injury

5. MINIMALLY
BRAIN
DAMAGED

6. NEW PROCEDURES TO ASSESS
BRAIN ACTIVITIES
 ElectroEnchephalogram (EEG)
 Brain’s Electrical Impulses
 Students with LD have abnormal brain waves
 Computerized Tomographic Scans (CT Scan)
 Neuroimaging using X-Ray
 Enables neurologists to look at underlying physiological
condition of the brain
 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
 Neuroimaging using radiowaves
 MRI and CT Scans show that LD suffer from disruption in
development of neural cells during the early months of
pregnancy

7. BIOCHEMICAL
IMBALANCE

8. PROBABLE CAUSES OF LD &
HYPERACTIVITY
Artificial Food Colors
Artificial Flavors
Preservatives
Salicylates
Megavitamins

9. ENVIRONMENTAL
FACTORS
Poverty, Malnutrition,
and Inadequate Learning
Experiences

10. ENVIRONMENTAL
INFLUENCES
Emotional Disturbance
 Children with LD have behavioral problems
Lack of Motivation
 They may not simply be interested in things other
kids like
Poor Instruction
 Not all kids are able to learn despite poor teaching
and inadequate strategies
 Kids who experience poor instruction are not able to
catch-up with their peers