Cognitive impairments are disruptions of thinking skills such as difficulty processing, learning and/or remembering information. Disabilities caused by cognitive impairments include learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mental retardation, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Learning Disabilities

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 defines a specific learning disability as a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using spoken or written language.

The disorder may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations, despite at least average intelligence. The term does not include children who have learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities; mental retardation; emotional disturbance; or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.

Learning disabilities are usually thought of in terms of the traditional academic subjects, (i.e., reading, writing, math, etc.), but, as the definition cited above indicates, the term may apply to a variety of disabilities of neurological origin that negatively impacts learning. Click here for a table describing major types of learning disabilities.

For detailed information on learning disabilities, visit the web version of Job Corps Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Technical Assistance Guide.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)

AD/HD is a neurodevelopmental disorder of inhibition that creates deficits in self control and is characterized by some or all of the following symptoms—inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, disorganization, emotional lability, and impaired executive functioning. People with AD/HD exhibit degrees of these symptoms that are abnormal for their age. AD/HD interferes with the ability of internal information to guide behavior toward future events and away from the moment. Each student with AD/HD will have specific strengths and weaknesses, therefore, the treatment/accommodations required for each student to successfully participate in the program will vary.

For more information on AD/HD, visit the web version of Job Corps Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Technical Assistance Guide.

Click here for article on AD/HD and adolescent substance use.

Mental Retardation

Mental retardation (MR) is a disorder involving diminished cognitive abilities. A student would be considered to be mentally retarded if the following criteria were met (DSM-IV):

• Significant subaverage intellectual functioning: an IQ of approximately 70 or below on an individually administered IQ test.

• Concurrent deficits or impairments in present adaptive functioning (i.e., the person's effectiveness in meeting the standards expected for his/her own age by his/her cultural group) in at least two of the following areas: communication, self-care, home living, social/interpersonal skills, use of community resources, self-direction, functional academic skills, work, leisure, health, and safety.

Causes of MR include heredity, problems during early embryonic development, pregnancy/perinatal problems, medical conditions acquired in childhood, environmental and other mental disorders, or unknown causes. There is wide variation in abilities within an individual, (e.g., a student may have poor abstract reasoning but good interpersonal skills), and between individuals with the same diagnosis.

Symptoms of MR include slow rate of learning, limited reasoning and abstract thinking ability, limited receptive language ability for both listening and reading, and limited expressive language for both speaking and writing. One way of conceptualizing a student with MR is to think of him/her as having multiple learning disabilities. Appropriate accommodations would then parallel those used for the various LD symptoms, e.g., receptive language, expressive language, etc. A major difference between MR and LD students is that the LD students are at least average in many cognitive areas, and this allows them to use areas of strength to compensate for weaknesses. MR students often have few if any significant cognitive strengths. This difference between the two groups will influence the type of accommodations that are needed.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

TBI is caused by car accidents, falls, recreational activities, and abuse. People with TBI may experience physical (e.g., decreased stamina, seizures, hearing losses, vision problems), cognitive (memory problems, attention and concentration difficulties, reduced intellectual functioning), and emotional problems (depression, personality disorders). Recovery from brain injury is considered a lifelong process, therefore, the student's needs will require continual monitoring and reassessment.

Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency

Alcoholism can be a disability if the person has a diagnosis of alcoholism. The person can be actively using and still considered a person with a disability entitled to reasonable accommodations.

Chemical dependency can be a disability if the person has/is

• Successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation program (an in-patient, out-patient, or employee assistance program), and is no longer using drugs illegally

• Been rehabilitated successfully in some other way (e.g., recognized self-help programs such as Narcotics Anonymous), and is no longer using drugs illegally

• Currently participating in a supervised rehabilitation program, and is no longer using drugs illegally

A current drug user is not considered a person with a disability.

A person who casually used alcohol or drugs illegally in the past, but did not become addicted, is not an individual with a disability (e.g., do not count everyone in TEAP program as a person with a disability).

All students with alcoholism or chemical dependency disabilities are subject to the center’s disciplinary policies and measures regarding the use and abuse of alcohol, as well as to the Job Corps’ Zero Tolerance Policy regarding the use of drugs.

Click here for possible accommodations for students with alcoholism or chemical dependency.

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