Specific learning disability (NCSE, 2014)

What is a learning disability?

Specific learning disability

A specific learning disability is quite different to a general learning disability. A child with a specific learning disability has difficulty in a specific area of learning such as reading, writing, spelling and arithmetical notation. Their difficulties are very specific and are not due to other causes such as their general ability being below average, defective sight or hearing, emotional factors or a physical condition. The difficulties experienced by a person can range from mild to severe.

Specific learning disabilities include:

• Dyslexia which is a difficulty in learning to read. This may mean that the child finds it hard to learn to read words or to understand what is written.
• Dyscalculia which is a difficulty with numbers. This may mean that the child finds it hard to understand how numbers work or learn to count or add, subtract, multiply and divide.
• Dysgraphia which is a difficulty with writing/spelling. This means that the child finds it difficult to write legibly and may have problems with spelling. They may find it hard to order their thoughts when writing a story or essay.