TOPIC: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A LEARNING DISABILITY

S: If by diability one is stating that there is capacity to learn to any extent, then I disagree.The learning can take place by means of applying a variety of stimuli/ instructional strategies. Patience is the key ingredient. Too many people don't have the patience or the "will".
R: Learning always takes place between neurons, central, peripheral nervous system coordinated by the brain.

S: Perhaps only in the case of mentally challenged individuals needing constant monitoring.
R: 1) Even they learn to a degree. 2)Each person can learn something. 3) I think its the degree that is the question. In any society, mentally challenged individuals will pose the same need for constant monitoring in order to assure their existence (similar to a new born). It is the rate of required care that is crucial.

S: Perhaps the word "disability" should be changed to "difference" - teaching requiring different approach than normally needed.

S: I believe that some people do have learning disabilities, but ways of learning must be detected or discovered for each person. Some people with LD need a variety of learning styles.

S: Learning is relative depending on day, month, year, temperature, internal and external pressures, physical, mental status at the moment.
R: True, but I sense a series of cop-outs here.

S: Baloney! There is no such thing as a "normal" child.
R: 1)Not so much normal, but all folks are different. 2) Cute ! 3) Disagree, there is always a "norm".

S: I believe there are different learning styles. Some may refer to them as disabilities. Maybe, its a poor choice of words.
R: 1) What about the physical, mental and/or emotional factors affecting learning?

S: Depends upon what you mean is a learning disability?
R: Formal classifications are accessible. < do you mean assessible or assessible?

S: I think the brain has a diverse way of decoding information. This makes a student's ability to interpret data unique.
R: A la Paul

S: Not only are there disabilities in learning, there are varying levels of learning. An example of a learning disability is dyslexia. Another is low or lacking self-confidence/esteem.
R: I will be happy when educators see every child in their room as "abled learners".

S: Don't agree. There are physical, emotional, psychlogical factors that can be viewed from a pedagogic perspective as dis-ablers to a students ability tofunction within the norm for his/her age group. Educational systems that work well address these factors to enable the child to become successful.

S: I disagree. I think there are many learning styles, but I also think there are student who have problems processing knowledge.

compiled by Dolores Millender