LD Blog

Another reporter has misused “Learning Disability” as a generic. Writing a feature article for the Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, SC, US), Donna Holman wrote,

It was Joni Bowers#’ 19th birthday, and this year was planned to be better than any before. Joni has Down’s Syndrome, which could be considered a learning disability, but this happy young woman views her life as a learning opportunity, turning her handicap into an endless challenge to demonstrate her learning ability

Although “learning disability” means “mental retardation” when used in the UK, that’s not the case in the US. Those of us concerned with LD obviously need to do a better job of informing the public, especially reporters, about Learning Disabilities.