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I have a question.....

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

What is the difference between LD and develpmentally delayed?How can you tell which it is?Thanks!

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 03/14/2001 - 5:00 AM

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PASSWORD>aa4um5Lp2CxdUGreat question- I don’t know the precise definitions of these terms, but in general usage “developmental delay” seems to be used to refer to skills that a young child has not acquired by the age at which most other children acquire those skills. In many cases, the kid is just a late bloomer, but a pediatrician or a teacher might recommend some testing to rule out underlying problems like hearing loss, vision problems, etc.Learning Disability is generally used with older kids who have trouble learning the same things that other kids are learning in school, and learning disability is considered to be a lifelong condition, not something they will outgrow.Telling the difference may be straightforward with a 12 year old, but next to impossible with a 5 year old, but testing might help identify problem areas. Also, in my opinion, appropriate instruction can enable kids with mild learning disabilities to overcome them so effectively that the disablitily seems to disappear, and probably won’t be detected without some pretty specific testing. Kids with more severe learning disabilities may still struggle with certain skills even with the best instruction.Hope this helps.Jean: What is the difference between LD and develpmentally delayed?How can
: you tell which it is?Thanks!

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