Columbia University Health Services

Learning Disability is an umbrella term used to categorize disabilities that are connected with the processes involved in understanding or using language—either spoken or written. Learning disabilities may appear through difficulties with reading, thinking, spelling, speaking, calculating, writing, or listening. A learning disability may manifest itself through a notable discrepancy between a person’s ability and a person’s achievement. It is important to note, that while a learning disability may have been diagnosed, the severity of the LD must substantially limit one or more of the person’s major life activities, compared to the average person, in order to be eligible for accommodations and services at Columbia. A diagnosis of a learning disability has no correlation to level of intelligence. Indeed, people with a learning disability, including students here at Columbia University are often intellectually above average.

Go Ask Alice! is the health question and answer Internet service produced by the Alice! Health Promotion Program. If it's on your mind, it's probably on Go Ask Alice!

Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) supports the psychological and emotional well-being of the campus community by providing counseling, consultation, and crisis intervention. For more information go to Making Appointments.