Information Processing Disorders

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LD Basics | Related Issues | Information Processing

Information Processing Disorders

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By NCLD-Editorial Staff
Published: March 6 2009

What is Information Processing?

Sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch are all ways the body collects information. But the act of using those senses is only the first step towards being able to use the data they've collected. The information the body collects is sent to the brain which recognizes it, understands it, responds to it and stores it; repeating this pattern hundreds and even thousands of times each day. Information processing makes it possible for a person to complete all the tasks that are required in a given day, from brushing teeth to grocery shopping to watching TV.

While there are several different and often overlapping types of information processing, two important groups are:

Visual Processing

Visual Discrimination
Visual Sequencing
Visual Memory
Visual Motor Processing
Visual Closure
Spatial Relationships

Auditory Processing

Auditory Discrimination
Auditory Memory
Auditory Sequencing

What is an Information Processing Disorder?

An information processing disorder is a deficiency in a person's ability to effectively use the information the senses have gathered. It is NOT the result of hearing loss, impaired vision, an attention deficit disorder or any kind of intellectual or cognitive deficit.

Though information processing disorders are often not named as specific types of learning disabilities, they are seen in many individuals with learning disabilities and can often help explain why a person is having trouble with learning and performance. The inability to process information efficiently can lead to frustration, low self-esteem and social withdrawal, especially with speech/language impairments.

Many people experience problems with learning and behavior occasionally, but if a person consistently displays difficulties with these tasks over time, testing for information processing disorders by trained professionals should be considered.

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6 Comments

Anyone have an idea where I can find the history of visual processing disorders?

Posted by: kelsey on Tuesday, 04 October 2011
Information Processing Disorders
How does someone overcome Informatioin Processing disorders? I have both auditory processing disorder and ADD.

Posted by: Cheri on Thursday, 23 June 2011
Information Processing Disorders
For Chinwe back in October 2010: If you are in California, you can contact a Licensed Educational Psychologist as a trained professional to do a private evaluation. (Different states have differing titles for this license.) Educational Psychologists are trained in understanding how people learn, and know which tools and tests to use to evaluate and interpret learning strengths and weaknesses. For students enrolled in public schools, the school psychologist also does this type of assessment during a Special Education evaluation.

Posted by: Kim Charnofsky on Monday, 07 February 2011
Information Processing Disorders
This article was an informative tid-bit. It meantions seeking out trained professionals, in what field does this disorder get trated? medical? theraputic? special education? What professional should we seek?

Posted by: Chinwe on Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Information Processing Disorders
types of information pocessing

Posted by: gaikwad murlidhar on Monday, 04 October 2010
Information Processing Disorders
Why can't one have an auditory processing disorder and ADD, (not ADHD) at the same time? The symptoms are almost identical. They only difference is one diagnosis comes from subjective parent & teacher observations, whereas the other diagnosis is a more concrete type of testing. However the symptoms are the same.

Posted by: Jen on Saturday, 14 August 2010

We invite your comments on this article, but we are unable to answer personal questions. If you have a question, you may find these LD.org resources helpful: Resource Locator; LD Basics section; Frequently Asked Questions.