Lesser Known Disorders
Each issue of this series contains at least three lesser known disorders. Some of these disorders may contain subtypes which will also be presented. You will also notice that each disorder has a code. These codes represent the coding system for all disabilities and disorders listed in the Educator’s Diagnostic Manual(EDM) Wiley Publications.
Disorders in this issue:
LD – 2.12- Temporal Dyscalculia
Disability Category: Learning Disabilities
Definition
A type of dyscalculia specifically associated with difficulties in relating to time, telling time, keeping track of time, and estimating time.
Explanation
Individuals with Temporal Dyscalculia have numerous difficulties understanding basic principles of time. These students will often:
- Over or underestimate how long a period of time is (e.g., tell them “10 more minutes” and they will either be back in 2 minutes or come back 30 minutes later)
- State the incorrect time due to position on the clock (e.g., saying “it’s 3:00” instead of the correct time of 9:00; saying “it’s 12:00” instead of the correct time of 6:00
- Lose track of time
Estimating the amount of time it will take to complete an assignment, homework or exam.
LD – 3.01- Dyslexic Dysgraphia
Disability Category: Learning Disabilities
Definition
A type of dysgraphia specifically associated with difficulties in producing spontaneously written text and/or spelling, however, drawing or copying and/or finger tapping speed are within the normal limits for age and grade levels (International Dyslexia Association, 2006).
Explanation
Students with Dyslexic Dysgraphia often exhibit spontaneously written text (writing a story on request, rather than copying something) that is illegible, especially when the text is complex, such as an essay or a book report (Kay, 2005). A student with Dyslexic Dysgraphia may have great difficulties spelling, but drawing and copying of written text, as well as finger-tapping speed (a measure of fine-motor speed), are within the normal range when compared to children his/her age.
It should be noted that any medical problems associated with this child’s physical abilities to write have been ruled out as a primary cause of the child’s difficulties. The difficulties are in the internal processing of information, not due to a physical impairment (International Dyslexia Association, 2006).
LD- 3.02- Motor Dysgraphia
Disability Category: Learning Disabilities
Definition
A type of dysgraphia specifically associated with difficulties in producing spontaneously written and copied text, drawing, and finger-tapping speed, however, oral spelling is within the normal range when compared to age and grade levels (International Dyslexia Association, 2006).
Explanation
Individuals with Motor Dysgraphia (also referred to as Dysgraphia due to Motor Clumsiness) exhibit spontaneously written and copied text (i.e. writing a short story, book report, copying notes off the board and a written spelling test) that may be illegible. Their drawing and finger-tapping speed are usually problematic, as well. Oral spelling is within the normal range when compared to children his/her age (Kay, 2005).
It should be noted that any medical problems associated with this child’s physical abilities to write have been ruled out as a primary cause of the child’s difficulties. The difficulties are in the internal processing of information, not due to a physical impairment (International Dyslexia Association, 2006).
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