specific
learning disorder (sld) is a neurodevelopmental condition that typically begins
in childhood and can persist into adulthood. it affects how individuals process
certain types of information, particularly in areas such as reading, writing,
or mathematics. these difficulties occur despite normal intelligence and
adequate instruction.
core
features
sld
is diagnosed when a person has significant difficulty in one or more academic
skills:
reading
(dyslexia) – slow or inaccurate reading, poor comprehension.
writing
(dysgraphia) – spelling difficulties, poor grammar, weak written expression.
math
(dyscalculia) – trouble understanding numbers, calculations, and
problem-solving.
these
problems:
persist
for at least six months despite targeted help.
are
well below age expectations and interfere with academic or occupational
performance.
are
not due to other issues like sensory impairments, intellectual disability, or
lack of education.
types
of sld (specifiers under dsm-5)
sld
with impairment in reading (often referred to as dyslexia)
sld
with impairment in written expression (similar to dysgraphia)
sld
with impairment in mathematics (similar to dyscalculia)
the
dsm-5 (diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edition)
merged former separate categories into one diagnosis of sld with specifiers.
diagnosis
involves
review of medical, educational, developmental, and family history.
uses
standardized tests, school performance, and clinical observation.
requires
ruling out other causes (e.g., vision or hearing problems).
identified
by performance significantly below age level and responsiveness to
intervention.
prevalence
and related conditions
affects
approximately 5–15% of school-age children.
dyslexia
is the most common type, affecting up to 20% of the population.
commonly
co-occurs with adhd and anxiety disorders.
impact
without
support, sld can lead to:
struggles
with school and work performance.
low
self-esteem and mental health problems.
difficulty
achieving full potential academically and professionally.
support
and intervention
individualized
education plans (ieps) or 504 plans in schools.
accommodations
such as extra time, audio books, or use of a calculator.
specialized
instruction (e.g. multisensory reading programs).
occupational
or speech therapy as needed.
summary
table
|
category |
description |
|
sld |
difficulty in reading, writing, or math despite adequate teaching |
|
diagnosis |
based on persistent struggles and low performance compared to age norms |
|
dsm-5 |
combines former categories into one with specific types |
|
support |
ieps, accommodations, therapies, and personalized teaching strategies |
defined as a lifelong difficulty
with intellectual functioning and everyday tasks (e.g. managing money, social
skills, household tasks) mencap+9mencap+9mencap+9.
·
two key distinctions:
- :Definitions and overview key points: A
learning disability is a condition that affects the way a person learns
new things, understands information, and communicates. It is a lifelong
condition that starts before adulthood and may be caused by how the brain
develops before, during, or after birth. Some disabilities are caused by
an injury, accident, illness, etc, which can affect the body and the
brain.
-
- o It is
intrinsic to the individual, meaning it's not caused by environmental
factors like lack of educational opportunity.
- o It
primarily affects specific cognitive processes, such as reading, writing,
or mathematics.
- o Examples
include dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing), and dyscalculia (math).
- a.
-
- o o As
the provided text indicates, a learning disability can also affect
adaptive skills, such as those needed for daily living.
- • Key
Characteristics:
- o It is
a lifelong condition.
- o It can
affect academic achievement and daily life.
- o Individuals
with learning disabilities have varying strengths and weaknesses.
- o It is
not related to intelligence. People with learning disabilities can have
average or above-average intelligence.
-
-
- Conditions Linked to Learning Disabilities
- Some people are born with conditions that affect
their physical health, development, and learning. Below are a few examples
of conditions that may include a learning disability or other special
needs.
-
- What Is a Learning Disability, learning
difficulties and Special Needs?
- What "special needs" often
encompasses – a broad range of physical, emotional, and cognitive
conditions that can lead to individuals needing extra support in various
aspects of their lives.
- "Learning difficulties" is a more
specific term that falls under the umbrella of special needs. It refers to
challenges that primarily affect a person's ability to learn and process
information effectively. These difficulties can manifest in various ways,
such as:
- • Dyslexia:
Difficulty with reading.
- • Dysgraphia:
Difficulty with writing.
- • Dyscalculia:
Difficulty with mathematics.
- • ADHD
(Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): Difficulty with focus,
attention, and sometimes hyperactivity and impulsiveness,
- • which
can impact learning.
- • Processing
Disorders: Difficulty understanding and using information received through
the senses.
- • Language
Processing Disorders: Difficulty understanding or expressing spoken and
written language.
- So, while all learning difficulties can be
considered special needs because they require tailored support and
accommodations in educational settings, not all special needs are learning
difficulties. For example, a physical disability that requires wheelchair
access is a special need but not a learning difficulty in itself.
Similarly, an emotional or behavioral disorder might require special
support but isn't primarily about how someone learns academic content.
- Think of it like this: Special needs is the
larger circle, encompassing a wide array of challenges, and learning
difficulties are a smaller circle within it, specifically focused on
issues affecting the learning process.
- you’ve listed several conditions there: Multiple
Sclerosis (MS), allergies, juvenile arthritis, Leukemia, muscular
dystrophy, and Epilepsy. These are indeed examples of physical special
needs.
- These conditions can significantly impact a
person's physical functioning, mobility, energy levels, and overall
health. As you mentioned earlier, individuals with these conditions may
require various forms of support, which could include:
- • Home
support: Modifications to living spaces, assistance with daily tasks.
- • Personal
care: Help with dressing, bathing, and other personal hygiene activities.
- • Education:
Accommodations in school, assistive technologies.
- • Employment:
Flexible work arrangements, accessible workplaces.
- • Social
lives: Support to participate in social activities and maintain
connections.
- It's important to remember that each of these
conditions varies greatly in its severity and how it affects individuals.
The level and type of support needed will be unique to each person.
- You've described your experience with reading
very clearly, and you're right on point. What you're describing – being
able to decode words well but struggling with comprehension and
concentration – absolutely aligns with how a learning disability can affect
brain processing.
- It's important to emphasize that learning
disabilities are indeed rooted in differences in the brain's structure and
function, which can impact how information is processed. As you mentioned,
this can affect various abilities like speaking, reading, writing,
understanding math, and more. However, it's crucial to remember your
point: it doesn't mean people can't do these things, just that they may
face significant challenges and require different strategies and support.
- Your personal example beautifully illustrates
this. You've developed strong reading skills but still encounter
difficulties with comprehension and focus. This highlights that learning
disabilities are often specific and can manifest in different ways for
different individuals. It also shows that with time, strategies, and
support, individuals can make progress and develop coping mechanisms, even
if some challenges persist.
- The fact that conditions like dyslexia and
dyscalculia affect the brain and nervous system is a key understanding.
These aren't simply about a lack of effort or intelligence; they are
neurological differences that impact how individuals learn and process
information. Your experience further underscores the complexity of
learning disabilities and how they can uniquely affect each person.
- You've provided a comprehensive list of
various conditions that fall under the umbrella of special needs! Let's
break them down a bit to clarify their categories:
slide
1: title slide
title: understanding specific learning disorder (sld) and related needs
subtitle: an accessible guide for students, families, and professionals
image idea: symbol for learning or brain with friendly faces
slide
2: what is specific learning disorder (sld)?
sld
is a condition that affects how people learn certain skills.
it
usually starts in childhood and can continue into adult life.
people
with sld have normal intelligence.
they
may need extra support with reading, writing, or maths.
slide
3: key areas of sld
reading
(dyslexia):
slow or difficult reading, poor understanding.
writing
(dysgraphia):
poor spelling, handwriting, and grammar.
maths
(dyscalculia):
trouble with numbers, calculations, or solving maths problems.
slide
4: what makes it a disorder?
the
difficulties last for 6 months or more.
problems
continue even after getting help.
performance
is much lower than others the same age.
it's
not caused by poor teaching, low intelligence, or sensory problems.
slide
5: dsm-5 and the medical name
the
medical guide dsm-5 uses the name specific learning disorder.
it
includes specifiers:
with
reading difficulties
with
writing difficulties
with
maths difficulties
slide
6: how is sld diagnosed?
based
on:
school
work and progress
tests
and teacher reports
family
and medical history
other
conditions (like vision problems) must be ruled out first.
slide
7: sld and other conditions
sld
often exists with:
adhd (trouble focusing)
anxiety
disorders
each
person’s needs can be different.
slide
8: impact of sld
without
help, sld can affect:
school
performance
job
opportunities
confidence
and mental health
slide
9: support and help
in
school:
ieps
or 504 plans
extra
time or quiet rooms
audio
books or calculators
at
home or work:
special
learning tools
therapy
or coaching
slide
10: learning disability vs. learning difficulty
learning
disability:
lifelong,
affects thinking and everyday life.
learning
difficulty:
affects
schoolwork (like dyslexia), but not general intelligence.
slide
11: what are special needs?
"special
needs" means someone may need extra help due to:
physical
challenges (e.g. epilepsy, ms)
emotional
challenges (e.g. anxiety)
cognitive
challenges (e.g. sld, adhd)
not
all special needs are learning difficulties.
slide
12: summary table
|
term |
what it means |
|
sld |
problems with reading, writing, or maths |
|
learning disability |
affects learning and life skills |
|
learning difficulty |
specific struggles in school |
|
special needs |
any condition needing extra support |
slide
13: you are not alone
many
people have learning challenges.
with
the right support, everyone can succeed.
celebrate
your strengths and use tools that help you learn your way!
image
idea:
diverse learners with happy, confident expressions
slide
14: thank you / questions
thank
you for learning with us!
any
questions or thoughts?
you're
doing a great job understanding this important topic.
learning
disability reduces general intellectual ability; it can be mild, moderate, or
severe/profound.
which of these is not a learning difficulty?
a) dyslexia
b) dyspraxia
c) anxiety
d) dyscalculia
what does "special needs" mean?
a) someone who needs more friends
b) a label used for people who are naughty
c) a broad range of needs requiring extra support in learning or daily life
d) someone who can’t walk
which one is a specific learning difficulty?
a) autism
b) depression
c) adhd
d) dysgraphia
what is the difference between a learning difficulty
and a learning disability?
a) learning disabilities are more serious and
lifelong
b) they mean the same thing
c) learning difficulties are always mental health problems
d) learning disabilities can be cured
💬 section 2: true
or false
people with special needs always look different.
learning difficulties can affect reading, writing, and
numbers.
a person with a learning disability might need support
with daily living.
people with special needs cannot go to college or
work.
dyslexia only affects spelling.
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