1️⃣ Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are lifelong.
They affect how the brain processes information.
They do NOT affect intelligence.
People with learning disabilities can be very talented.
2️⃣ Dyslexia
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia affects reading and spelling.
It can also affect memory and processing speed.
Difficulties in Dyslexia
A person may:
• Read slowly
• Mix up letters
• Struggle with spelling
• Forget instructions
• Find written work tiring
• Avoid reading out loud
This can make school stressful.
Strengths in Dyslexia
Many people with dyslexia are:
• Creative
• Good at problem solving
• Big picture thinkers
• Good at practical tasks
• Strong verbally
• Good at storytelling
Dyslexia often comes with strong imagination.
3️⃣ Dysgraphia
What is Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia affects writing.
It can affect handwriting and organising ideas.
Difficulties in Dysgraphia
A person may:
• Have messy handwriting
• Write very slowly
• Struggle to organise thoughts
• Forget punctuation
• Feel pain in their hand
• Avoid written tasks
Writing can feel exhausting.
Strengths in Dysgraphia
Many people with dysgraphia are:
• Good speakers
• Creative thinkers
• Good at building or designing
• Strong in discussion
• Good with technology
• Good at practical learning
They may explain ideas better verbally than on paper.
4️⃣ Dyscalculia
What is Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia affects maths and numbers.
It affects number understanding.
Difficulties in Dyscalculia
A person may:
• Struggle with times tables
• Forget maths steps
• Find money confusing
• Struggle with telling time
• Mix up numbers
• Feel anxious in maths lessons
Maths can feel overwhelming.
Strengths in Dyscalculia
Many people with dyscalculia are:
• Creative
• Strong in writing
• Good at art or music
• Good at communication
• Strong in practical problem solving
• Empathetic and intuitive
They may think in words or pictures instead of numbers.
5️⃣ Impact on Confidence
When students struggle, they may feel:
• Embarrassed
• Frustrated
• Angry
• Anxious
• Tired
They may try to hide their difficulties.
Support and understanding make a big difference.
6️⃣ Supporting Strengths
Good support includes:
• Short clear instructions
• Extra time
• Visual aids
• Breaking tasks into steps
• Assistive technology
• Praise for effort
• Focusing on strengths
Strength-based teaching builds confidence.
Confidence improves learning.
7️⃣ Key Message
Learning disabilities show differences — not lack of ability.
Every student has strengths.
When we understand both strengths and difficulties, we create inclusion.
The slide outline includes:
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Learning Difficulties vs Learning Disabilities
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What is Dyslexia?
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What is Dysgraphia?
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What is Dyscalculia?
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Impact in the classroom
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Supporting students
1️⃣ EASY READ PRINTABLE VERSION
(Plain, simple, large font friendly)
Learning Difficulties and Learning Disabilities
Learning difficulties and learning disabilities are not the same.
A learning difficulty may be short term.
It may improve with support.
A learning disability is lifelong.
It affects how the brain processes information.
What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia affects reading and spelling.
A person may:
-
Mix up letters
-
Read slowly
-
Struggle with spelling
-
Find written work tiring
Dyslexia does not affect intelligence.
Many people with dyslexia are creative and good problem solvers.
What Is Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia affects writing.
A person may:
-
Have messy handwriting
-
Struggle to organise ideas
-
Find writing painful or slow
-
Have difficulty spelling while writing
It can make written tasks very tiring.
What Is Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia affects maths skills.
A person may:
-
Struggle with numbers
-
Find times tables hard
-
Have difficulty with money
-
Struggle with time
Maths may feel confusing or overwhelming.
Impact in the Classroom
Students may:
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Feel frustrated
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Feel embarrassed
-
Avoid tasks
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Lose confidence
-
Become anxious
They may be trying very hard.
Supporting Students
We can help by:
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Using simple instructions
-
Giving extra time
-
Breaking work into small steps
-
Using visual aids
-
Allowing assistive technology
-
Praising effort
Support builds confidence.
Confidence helps learning.
2️⃣ EASY READ POWERPOINT VERSION
Slide 1 – Title
Understanding Learning Differences
Slide 2
Learning Difficulty vs Learning Disability
Learning difficulty
May improve with support.
Learning disability
Is lifelong.
Slide 3
What Is Dyslexia?
Affects reading and spelling.
Does not affect intelligence.
Slide 4
What Is Dysgraphia?
Affects writing.
Can make handwriting and organising ideas difficult.
Slide 5
What Is Dyscalculia?
Affects maths and numbers.
Can make time and money difficult.
Slide 6
Impact in the Classroom
Students may feel:
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Frustrated
-
Anxious
-
Tired
-
Embarrassed
Slide 7
How We Can Support
-
Clear instructions
-
Extra time
-
Visual support
-
Small steps
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Encouragement
3️⃣ PROFESSIONAL TRAINING VERSION
Learning Difficulties vs Learning Disabilities
A learning difficulty may arise from:
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Environmental factors
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Interrupted schooling
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Language acquisition
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Emotional distress
A learning disability is:
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Neurological
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Lifelong
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Intrinsic
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Present across contexts
Clear assessment is essential to avoid misidentification.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability affecting:
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Phonological processing
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Decoding
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Spelling
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Reading fluency
Strengths often include:
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Big picture thinking
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Creativity
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Verbal reasoning
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia affects:
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Fine motor coordination
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Written expression
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Spelling during composition
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Organisation of ideas
It may co-occur with ADHD or dyspraxia.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia affects:
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Number sense
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Numerical memory
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Sequencing
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Mathematical reasoning
It is not simply “being bad at maths.”
Impact in the Classroom
Students may experience:
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Increased cognitive load
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Anxiety
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Low self-esteem
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Behaviour misinterpretation
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Academic underachievement
Without support, mental health can be affected.
Supporting Students
Evidence-based strategies include:
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Explicit instruction
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Multisensory teaching
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Scaffolded tasks
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Visual supports
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Assistive technology
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Strength-based approaches
4️⃣ POLICY / EDUCATION GUIDANCE VERSION
Inclusive Education Framework for Specific Learning Disabilities
Schools should:
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Clearly distinguish learning disability from language acquisition.
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Implement early screening and assessment.
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Provide reasonable accommodations.
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Offer staff training in dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
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Promote strengths-based teaching.
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Monitor emotional wellbeing.
Core Principle
Specific learning disabilities affect how students learn — not how intelligent they are.
Inclusive teaching benefits all learners.
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