Learning Difficulty

The term ‘learning difficulty’ means different things to different people. It is always best to check what definition is being used.

Teachers and others working in education include everyone with a learning disability under the umbrella term ‘learning difficulty’. To professionals working in health and social care, a ‘learning difficulty’ means difficulties with specific aspects of learning, but with other skills within the typical range for age. Specific learning difficulties include:

Specific reading difficulties – dyslexia
Specific writing difficulties – dysgraphia
Specific difficulties with sums – dyscalculia

It is really important to be clear when a learning disability has been identified. This is so that children, young people and adults with learning disabilities can access all the services and support available for them, to help them to live the fullest possible lives with all the right adjustments in place.