Of the 66,000 students identified in the province’s school system as having exceptionalities last year, over 10,800 – or 16 per cent – were identified has having a learning disability.

The Learning Disability Association of Newfoundland and Labrador says a learning disability isn’t about intelligence, but an inability to process information leading to difficulties in things like reading, writing or math.

President of the Learning Disability Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, Lynn Green, told VOCM’s On Target St. John’s with Linda Swain an undiagnosed learning disability can have a devastating impact on a child’s self-esteem.

She says it can sometimes lead to children believing they’re stupid, and if their peers start to notice it can make them feel worse.

Green says early diagnosis is key so that appropriate supports can be put in place to help a child succeed.

You can listen to the full episode of On Target St. John’s below: