What characteristic defines a learning disability?

A learning disability is characterized by a variety of academic challenges that can affect an individual's ability to learn in different areas, including reading, writing, math, and other subjects. This definition reflects the broad spectrum of difficulties that may be encountered, which are not solely limited to one specific skill or subject.

Learning disabilities arise from neurological differences and do not correlate directly with a person's intelligence level; individuals with learning disabilities can be of average or above-average intelligence. Furthermore, the impact of learning disabilities is not confined to written language, nor is it exclusive to mathematical skills. This makes the understanding of such disabilities crucial for educators, as they need to recognize the holistic nature of these challenges in order to provide appropriate support and teaching strategies tailored to the needs of each individual student.