The Bodine School

Learning Disability Facts

Learning disabilities are often described as the hidden handicap. On the surface, individuals with learning disabilities look like everyone else. Many individuals flounder in school without being identified or receiving special services. The costs in wasted human potential can be devastating.

Did You Know...

• Approximately 15% of the population have a learning disability?
• Individuals with learning disabilities are generally of average to above average intelligence?
• A learning disability is caused by differences in brain structure and leads to difficulties in specific types of learning?
• 2.25 million children are in special education classes for learning disabilities?
• 80% of students with learning disabilities have basic deficits in reading and written language?
• First grade reading skills are 95% predictive of high school and college success?
• Some states estimate future prison populations based on the results of 4th grade state reading achievement tests?
• 60% of adults with poor reading have an undiagnosed and untreated learning disability?
• 35% of students with learning disabilities drop out of high school – twice the rate of their non-learning disabled peers?
• 62% of students with learning disabilities are unemployed one year after high school graduation?
• 31% of adolescents with learning disabilities are arrested 3 to 5 years out of high school?
• Learning disabilities and substance abuse are the most common impediments to keeping welfare clients from becoming and remaining employed?
• Early identification of children with learning disabilities makes a critical difference in helping them achieve success in school?