Common Learning Problems

Studies indicate learning problems are often associated with cancer and its treatment. Common learning problems include:

• Fatigue.
• Decline in intellectual ability over time.
• Problems keeping up during social conversations and in detecting social cues.
• Deficits in areas of ability including:
• The ability to sustain attention and avoid 'spacing out.'
• The ability to remember information that is seen rather than heard.
• The ability to remember sequences of information.
• The ability to comprehend material that is visually read (although reading the actual words is often not a problem).
• The ability to handwrite quickly and accurately.
• The ability to copy or write information that is seen.
• The ability to complete tasks quickly.
• The ability to keep pace with new material.
• The ability to perform math calculations (e.g., multiplication, division).
• The ability to learn and retrieve new information and information that lacks a meaningful context.
• The ability to plan and organize.

Areas which seem to be unaffected by cancer treatment include:

• The ability to learn and remember information that is heard.
• The ability to understand the application of math concepts.
• The ability to use spoken language to communicate understanding of concepts and new material.
• The ability to recall information accurately, if provided enough time.
• The ability to be creative.

National organizations serving persons with disabilities are listed in the Resources/Helpful Links menu under "General Education" and "Disabilities" sections.