Learning Difficulties

Learning difficulties is an umbrella term for a wide variety of learning problems. A learning difficulty is not a problem with a child’s intelligence or motivation. Children with learning difficulties are not lazy, their brains are just wired differently.

Learning difficulties can look very different from one child to another. One child may struggle with reading and spelling, while another loves reading but just can’t understand maths and struggles with handwriting. One child has difficulty processing visual material while another has difficulties understanding what others are saying or difficulties communicating. Each problem is very different for each child, but they are all learning difficulties.

The most common Learning Difficulties and some key symptoms are listed below

• Dyslexia – Difficulties specific to reading

(e.g., slow and laboured reading, difficulty reading aloud, problems with writing and spelling, mispronunciation of words)

• Dysgraphia – Difficulties specific to writing

(e.g., cramped grip, difficulty with planning and presentation of work, difficulty with spelling)

• Dyscalculia – Difficulties specifically related to maths

(e.g., identifying number patterns, solving word problems, using steps in maths operations, difficulties with sequencing information or events)

• Developmental Coordination Disorder ( Dyspraxia) – Difficulties specific to fine and/or gross motor skills

(e.g., Clumsiness, fatigue, poor balance and posture, poor eye-hand coordination)

• ADHD – whilst ADHD is not technically considered a Learning Difficulty it is estimated that 30-50% of children with ADHD also have a specific Learning Difficulty.