About LDs

Learning disabilities affect approximately 10% of the population. People with LD often have an additional diagnosis of ADHD and/or other complications for learning. LD and other disabilities vary in range and severity, and every individual’s experience is unique.The definition endorsed in 2015 by the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC) has been widely accepted across the country. Read it here:

Much has been written about learning disabilities and ADHD, and the body of knowledge is growing. We have found these to be helpful links and we encourage you to contact us with links to other valuable resources to share.

For families | For young adults | For educators and professionals | For parents and educators

For families

Have you noticed that your child may have a learning disability or has just been diagnosed with one? Often these are an “invisible disability” until a child enters the school system and even then, it may be difficult to recognize or diagnose.

However, with one 1 in 10 Canadians having a learning disability they are not alone. Learning Disabilities (LDs) are specific neurological disorders that affect the brain’s ability to store, process, retrieve or communicate information. They are invisible and lifelong. However, there is support to understand, live and team with LDs and many Canadians with them live successful lives.

If you are a professional who serves individuals with learning disabilities you understand the need to provide effective services and assistance to these individuals. It is essential to understand the characteristics of learning disabilities (LD) and associated conditions in order to help make informed decisions. Some available resource links are listed below. There are also excellent resources available on LD and ADHD from our Alberta chapters and partners. If you cannot find what you are looking for please contact us.

PBS Misunderstood http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/
Understood.org https://www.understood.org/en
Signs & Symptoms https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/signs-symptoms
Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada (CADDAC) http://www.caddac.ca/
National Centre for Learning Disabilities http://ncld.org/
Childmind http://childmind.org/
Canadian Dyslexia Centre http://www.dyslexiacentre.ca/english/publications.htm
ADHD Families http://www.adhdfamilies.ca/
C.H.A.D.D. Canada http://www.chaddcanada.com
CHADD USA http://www.chadd.org
Human Rights in the Workplace http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca/employment.asp
The Best Learning Strategies on Earth The Best Learning Strategies on Earth
Experience Firsthand Attention: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/attention.html
Experience Firsthand Reading: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/reading.html
Experience Firsthand Writing: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/writing.html
Experience Firsthand Math: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/math.html
Through your Child’s Eyes: https://www.understood.org/en/tools/through-your-childs-eyes
Open Forest: https://openforest.net/ADHD-related-posts
Super Summary – a collection of sites for students and teachers about dyslexia, including games, activities and more: http://www.supersummary.com/dyslexia-guide

For young adults

You are not alone – between 5 and 10 percent of Canadians have LDs; they come in many forms and affect people with varying levels of severity. LDs are a life-long condition and do not go away, but then can be coped with successfully by using areas of strength to compensate and accommodations such as technology.

If you are a professional who serves individuals with learning disabilities you understand the need to provide effective services and assistance to these individuals. It is essential to understand the characteristics of learning disabilities (LD) and associated conditions in order to help make informed decisions. Some available resource links are listed below. There are also excellent resources available on LD and ADHD from our Alberta chapters and partners. If you cannot find what you are looking for please contact us.

For educators and professionals

If you are a professional who serves individuals with learning disabilities you understand the need to provide effective services and assistance to these individuals. It is essential to understand the characteristics of learning disabilities (LD) and associated conditions in order to help make informed decisions. Some available resource links are listed below. There are also excellent resources available on LD and ADHD from our Alberta chapters and partners. If you cannot find what you are looking for please contact us.

http://www.righttoread.ca
http://www.getreadytoread.org/
http://www.rtinetwork.org/
LDOnline http://www.ldonline.org/
The LD Navigator http://ldnavigator.ncld.org/
Alberta Education’s position on learning disabilities https://education.alberta.ca/diverse-learners/learning-disabilities/
Unlocking Potential: Key Components of Programming for Students with Learning Disabilities (provincial standards for supporting students) https://education.alberta.ca/diverse-learners/learning-disabilities/everyone/resources/,
Universal design for learning https://education.alberta.ca/media/464638/video-discussion-guide-4-making-sense-of-universal-design.pdf
Engaging All Learners http://www.engagingalllearners.ca/ip/udl-in-action/
Super Summary – a collection of sites for students and teachers about dyslexia, including games, activities and more: http://www.supersummary.com/dyslexia-guide

For parents and educators

The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO) has developed a series of workshops and courses that were supported by partners, such as the Government of Ontario, and can be accessed through the LDAO website. Workshops are self-paced online learning environments, similar to the courses, but without direct access to a moderator. They can be accessed here.