Specific Learning Difficulties

There are many different types of specific learning difficulties. It may be difficult for parents and teachers to realise that a child has a specific problem, especially if their development has appeared quite normal in the early years. Often, the child will appear to understand, have good ideas, and join in activities as well as other children and better than some. Sometimes it can take years for adults to realise that a child has a specific difficulty.

A learning difficulty is not indicative of low intelligence. It is often the case that some people with learning difficulties may have average or above-average intelligence. Causes of learning difficulties include a deficit in the brain that affects the processing of information.

Specific difficulties can make lessons hard for a child to understand. They will have a hard time keeping up with classmates, and may come to see themselves as stupid, or no good. They find it hard to concentrate on lessons and because they cannot follow them properly, they find lessons `boring’.

Doing badly in school can undermine their self-confidence. This can make it harder for the child to get along with other children and to keep friends.They may become the clown of the class because it is better than being ’stupid’. Children with specific reading difficulties often become angry and frustrated, so behavioural problems are common.

The term specific learning difficulties is used to cover a wide variety of difficulties. Many people have heard of dyslexia (a difficulty with words), but it is now generally accepted that dyslexia is only one of a group of difficulties that may include:

• dysgraphia: writing difficulty

• dyspraxia: motor difficulties

• dyscalculia: a difficulty performing mathematical calculation

• attention deficit disorder, or attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADD or ADHD): concentration     difficulties with heightened activity levels and impulsiveness

• Asperger’s syndrome and autism: emotional behaviour or even social communication difficulties

These learning difficulties typically affect a pupil’s motor skills, information processing and memory.  A child with a Specific Learning Difficulty needs to be understood and  should be seen as having individual needs and that with the correct tutoring can achieve to their fullest potential.