[Learning disability: problems of definition and subject description (author's transl)]

There have been many discussions about both the term "learning disability" and the population group afflicted with this problem, which do not have a solid basis of understanding. This can be attributed to sevral factors, in particular: a) The term "learning disability" has its origin in school organisation and is somewhat clearly defined only within that framework and related fields. Hence, it is difficult to apply this term to other areas. b) In most cases, the term "learning disability" is used to describe highly heterogeneous phenomena, which are attributed to manifold and complex causal factors of mostly unknown origin. The following article discusses the difficulties arising in connectin with the use of this term. In addition, the term is studied from the educational, psychological, sociological and medical viewpoints. It seems to be necessary and useful, particularly with a view to the appropriate special educational and rehabilitative measures, to subdivide this heterogeneous disability group - as it can be found today in special schools for the learning disabled - into partial grous with different learning and performance levels.