ADHD and Learning Disabilities
The Difference between Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (aka Attention Deficit Disorder)
How Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a.k.a. Attention Deficit Disorder, differs from Learning Disorders
A common misconception about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD), is that it is a learning disability. Confusion about the two occur because ADHD can affect learning and because as many as thirty percent of people with ADHD also have a learning disability. However, there is a difference.
A student with a learning disability has a deficit in one or two areas while performing at or above average in other areas. For example, a student with a reading disability will usually have no trouble with math unless they have a disability in that area. In schools, students are diagnosed with a learning disability when there is a significant discrepancy between their IQ and performance on achievement tests. These tests are usually given by the school psychologist and are different from the standardized tests that are given to the entire school.
In contrast, ADHD affects learning globally and compromises all cognitive functions, rather than just one or two. This is not measurable on tests, unless the tests were given incorrectly (for example, if the tests were done while the student was distracted). Although learning disabilities are diagnosed by the school system, ADHD cannot be. ADHD is a medical condition and the diagnosis can only be made by medical professionals.
The best explanation of the differences between the two I have found is this: Imagine the "normal" brain as a room with all the lights on. A learning disability will turn off one or two of the lamps in the room, leaving some areas dark while others are still bright. However, ADHD dims all the lights in the room; it affects the person all the time not just when they performing specific cognitive functions (like reading). A student with both ADHD and a learning disability will have the lights dim throughout the room, with one or two areas significantly darker.
In my opinion, students with ADHD should always be screened for learning disabilities, if for no other reason that an undiagnosed learning disability can mimic the symptoms of ADHD. Knowing what exactly is going on is essential in order to decide on an effective course of action. If your student has been diagnosed with ADHD and you suspect they also have a learning disorder, contact your school system and request that they be evaluated.
Note: For the purposes of this article, I am using the term ADHD, otherwise known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, to refer to the all three subtypes of the condition.
