LEARNING DISORDERS, DEVELOPMENTAL COORDINATION DISORDER, AND DEFICITS IN PROCESSING OF VISUAL DATA

Abstract

Learning disorders (LD) refer to deficits in basic academic skills such as reading, writing, calculating and mathematical reasoning, while developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting motor coordination. In addition, although many children suffer from problems with processing of visual data, there is no diagnosis corresponding to this aspect to date. DCD and visual problems as well as LD are matters of brain development with negative impact on academic performance that often occur together. Thus, it is important to recognize DCD as an independent factor in learning difficulties alongside others such as attention deficit, and to determine the factor(s) responsible for the difficulty being experienced by each child, as the first step to providing appropriate support. This paper outlines DCD, visual processing issues, effects on learning, as well as their relationship to LD.