2025.03.07ブログ
学習障害の頻度はそれほど高くない、神奈川県厚木市の児童精神科医が解説
学習障害の頻度はそれほど高くない、神奈川県厚木市の児童精神科医が解説
こんにちは、神奈川県厚木市の児童精神科専門クリニック、きもとメンタルクリニックです。
今回は、学習障害の頻度はそれほど高くない、について解説します。
学習障害（LD：Learning Disability）とは？
学習障害（LD）の定義
学習障害（LD：Learning Disability）とは、知的発達には大きな遅れがないにもかかわらず、「読む」「書く」「計算する」といった特定の学習能力に困難がある神経発達障害の一種です。
学習障害は生まれつきの脳機能の特性に関連しており、家庭環境や教育環境が原因ではなく、脳の特定の領域における情報処理の障害が影響しています。
特殊な疾患であり、学習障害はタイプ別に分かれており、それぞれに合った指導法が必要となります。
ASDやADHDの合併が多いといわれていますが、むしろASDやADHDが病態の中核で、学習障害の一部の要素が合併している人が多いと思います。
学習障害であれば治療法はないため、トレーニングするしかない、となってしまいます。
しかし例えばADHDが主病態であるならば、不注意の症状を改善させることで、結果として学習障害様の所見も改善されることはかなりあります。
治療はやれることからやっていく、というのは非常に重要です。
すべての症状に対し、治療法が確立しているわけではないからです。
そしてトレーニングしていくにしても、邪魔している症状があるならば、改善した方がトレーニング効率も上がるはずです。
ADHDの治療は１日で効果がなくなるタイプの内服があるので、試しに使ってみる、ということもやりやすいです。
不注意は生来の症状であり、本人からみたら、その症状が何なのかも分からないわけです。ずっと自分は自分ですから。
だから一度不注意が改善された状態を体感させることで、不注意が何なのかもわかるはずです。
メリットの方がデメリットより大きいのであれば、内服は使う価値がでてきます。
学習障害と診断されるとその病名にばかり目がいってしまいますが、ＡＤＨＤやＡＳＤがあるのかどうか、これを見極める必要はあります。
Today, I will explain why learning disabilities (LD) are not as common as often perceived and the importance of correctly identifying the underlying causes of learning difficulties.
What is a Learning Disability (LD)?
Definition of Learning Disability (LD)
A learning disability (LD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty in specific learning abilities such as reading, writing, or arithmetic, despite having normal intellectual development.
LD is not caused by environmental factors or lack of education but is related to specific brain function differences affecting information processing.
Since it is a specialized condition, it is divided into different types depending on the specific learning difficulty, and individualized educational approaches are required.
LD is Often Misinterpreted as the Primary Issue
While LD often coexists with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), in many cases, ASD or ADHD is the primary underlying condition, with LD-like difficulties arising as secondary issues.
📌 Key Points:
✅ Many children diagnosed with LD may actually have ADHD or ASD as the core condition.
✅ Treating the underlying ADHD or ASD symptoms can often reduce LD-like learning difficulties.
✅ LD itself does not have a direct medical treatment, meaning training and adaptation strategies are the main intervention.
✅ However, if ADHD symptoms are interfering with learning, treating ADHD can significantly improve learning efficiency and overall function.
ADHD and Learning Disabilities: Understanding the Connection
Many children with ADHD struggle with learning difficulties, but these challenges are not always due to LD itself.
For example, ADHD-related inattention can cause:
Difficulty concentrating on reading or writing
Forgetfulness in following multi-step instructions
Careless mistakes in arithmetic problems
Disorganization in written work
These symptoms can appear similar to LD but are actually caused by inattention rather than a fundamental learning deficit.
📌 If ADHD is the primary issue, treating inattention can lead to noticeable improvements in learning.
The Importance of a Trial Approach in ADHD Treatment
One of the key advantages of ADHD treatment is that some medications work within a single day, allowing for a short-term trial to assess the effects.
✅ Why a Trial Approach is Useful
ADHD symptoms are lifelong, and individuals may not realize their own inattentiveness because it is their "normal" state.
Experiencing improved focus for the first time can help individuals understand what inattention feels like and how it impacts their daily life.
If the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, medication can be a valuable tool for improving learning efficiency.
📌 Rather than focusing solely on the LD diagnosis, it is crucial to assess whether ADHD or ASD is present and interfering with learning.
Summary
✅ Learning disabilities (LD) are not as common as perceived and are often secondary to underlying ADHD or ASD.
✅ LD has no direct medical treatment, but treating ADHD symptoms can significantly improve learning ability.
✅ Inattention-related learning difficulties are often mistaken for LD—addressing the inattention can resolve many academic struggles.
✅ A short-term trial of ADHD medication can help determine if inattention is the primary issue affecting learning.
✅ Rather than focusing only on the LD diagnosis, it is essential to evaluate for ADHD or ASD as potential underlying conditions.
📌 By correctly identifying the root cause of learning difficulties, we can implement the most effective interventions to support a child’s academic success.
