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	Introduction
Thank you for your interest in learning about learning disabilities. The term is a relatively new one on education's evolutionary spectrum, with widespread acceptance beginning in the 1970's. As our knowledge of learning disabilities grows, so too does our ability to identify it and provide educational opportunities to overcome its negative impact on a student's performance. Thus, the numbers of students with learning disabilities who are attempting postsecondary education continue to grow, with recent estimates for freshmen entering a four-year institution at 7 to 10%. That number is greater for students entering community college, so chances are highly likely they will be enrolled in your classes. The term learning disability is an unfortunate one, as it carries with it all the stigma inherent in the word disability. Many people think it means the student is unable to learn. Newly diagnosed students are ashamed at the thought that there is something wrong with them. A more suitable term would be learning difference. Students with learning disabilities do have difficulties with academic achievement, but they are on the bell curve of all learners. Your willingness to increase your awareness of learning disabilities is a step toward reducing misconceptions and unfair treatment of this worthy population of learners. Hopefully, greater understanding on all of our parts will lead to greater tolerance of learning diversity. So let's begin, shall we?

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in learning about learning disabilities. The term is a relatively new one on education's evolutionary spectrum, with widespread acceptance beginning in the 1970's. As our knowledge of learning disabilities grows, so too does our ability to identify it and provide educational opportunities to overcome its negative impact on a student's performance. Thus, the numbers of students with learning disabilities who are attempting postsecondary education continue to grow, with recent estimates for freshmen entering a four-year institution at 7 to 10%. That number is greater for students entering community college, so chances are highly likely they will be enrolled in your classes.

The term learning disability is an unfortunate one, as it carries with it all the stigma inherent in the word disability. Many people think it means the student is unable to learn. Newly diagnosed students are ashamed at the thought that there is something wrong with them.

A more suitable term would be learning difference. Students with learning disabilities do have difficulties with academic achievement, but they are on the bell curve of all learners.

Your willingness to increase your awareness of learning disabilities is a step toward reducing misconceptions and unfair treatment of this worthy population of learners. Hopefully, greater understanding on all of our parts will lead to greater tolerance of learning diversity.

So let's begin, shall we?