Learning disabilities and medical schools

Learning disabilities are a group of disorders that affect 10-15% of the ge neral population and 3% of United Stares medical students. Medical students with learning disabilities are typically unaware of their disorder and may only learn of it when the pace of medical school curriculum overtakes what were previously successful study techniques. Despite the significant preva lence of this disorder, medical educators' awareness, understanding and pro vision of services for people with these disabilities are inadequate. This paper will present a medical student with a learning disability as a basis for discussion of the prevalence, classification systems and diagnostic tes ting methods for this disorder. Finally, recommendations for medical school administrative preparedness and accommodation of learning disability stude nts will be presented, followed by a list of celebrated physicians with lea rning disabilities.