Thursday, 5 February 2026
Module: Learning Differences, Disabilities, and Syndromes
1. Introduction
Learning differences can arise
from many causes. Two commonly discussed categories are Learning Disabilities
(LDs) and Syndromes.
They are related but not the
same.
Understanding their
differences and similarities helps educators, parents, and learners provide the
right support.
This module will cover:
What learning disabilities are
Examples of common learning
disabilities
How syndromes can affect
learning
Links to challenging behavior
Optional questions for
learning and discussion
2. What Are Learning
Disabilities?
Learning Disabilities (LDs),
also called Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs), are neurological conditions
that affect how the brain processes information.
They impact specific academic
skills
Occur in individuals with average
or above-average intelligence
Not caused by lack of effort
or teaching
Common Learning Disabilities:
Dyslexia 📖
Difficulty with reading,
decoding, spelling, and reading fluency
Dysgraphia ✍️
Difficulty with writing,
handwriting, spelling, and organizing ideas
Dyscalculia ➗
Difficulty understanding
numbers, math facts, and calculations
Dyspraxia / Developmental
Coordination Disorder 🤸
Difficulty with motor
planning, coordination, and physical tasks
Tip: Learning disabilities
often co-occur with other conditions such as ADHD, Anxiety, or Autism, which
may also contribute to challenging behaviors.
3. Syndromes and Learning
Syndromes are conditions
caused by changes in genes or chromosomes.
They are usually present from
birth
Can affect learning, behavior,
and physical development
Examples include:
Down Syndrome – Extra copy of
chromosome 21; can affect learning, speech, and motor skills
Angelman Syndrome – Gene
change on chromosome 15; affects communication, movement, and learning
Important:
Syndromes are not caused by
parents
Each individual is unique
Understanding syndromes helps
provide appropriate support
Link to Challenging Behavior:
People with learning
disabilities or syndromes may show behaviors like frustration, anxiety, or
difficulty following instructions
Recognizing the cause helps
caregivers, teachers, and peers respond safely and supportively
4. Key Takeaways
Learning disabilities affect specific
skills, syndromes affect broader development
Both require understanding,
support, and acceptance
Early identification and
support improve learning outcomes and wellbeing
5. Optional Study / Reflection
Questions
What is the difference between
a learning disability and a syndrome?
Name one example of a learning
disability and explain what it affects.
Name one example of a syndrome
and explain how it can affect learning.
Why is it important to
understand individual differences?
How can challenging behavior
be linked to learning differences or syndromes?
What are some ways teachers or
caregivers can support someone with a learning disability?
How might co-occurring
conditions (e.g., ADHD, anxiety) impact learning or behavior?
6. Symbols / Visual Aids (for
Easy Read / PPT use)
Reading / Dyslexia 📖
Writing / Dysgraphia ✍️
Numbers / Dyscalculia ➗
Movement / Dyspraxia 🤸
Genes / DNA 🧬
Chromosomes 📚
Brain / Thinking 🧠
Behavior / Emotions 😟😡
Easy Read Module: Tourette Syndrome (TS)
Title: 🧠 Tourette
Syndrome – Understanding Tics & Support
1. What Is Tourette Syndrome
(TS)?
TS is a neurological condition
affecting the brain and nervous system.
People with TS make involuntary
movements and sounds called tics.
These tics are not done on
purpose – the body and brain do them automatically.
Examples of Tics:
Motor tics: blinking,
grimacing, head jerking, shrugging
Vocal tics: throat clearing,
sniffing, repeating words
Simple tics: quick, sudden
movements or sounds
Complex tics: coordinated
patterns of movement or speech (e.g., jumping or repeating phrases)
💡 Remember: Everyone’s tics are different and can change over time.
2. When Does TS Start?
Usually appears between ages 5
and 10
Symptoms may improve in late
adolescence or adulthood
Can change over time or become
worse with stress, excitement, or fatigue
3. Causes & Co-occurring
Conditions
Exact cause is not fully known
Believed to involve genetic
and environmental factors affecting brain chemicals like dopamine
Common co-occurring
conditions:
ADHD ⚡ (difficulty
focusing or sitting still)
Autism Spectrum Disorder 🧩
OCD 🌀
Anxiety / Depression 😟
Sleep difficulties 🛌
Sensitivity to changes in
routine 🔄
Note: Not everyone with ADHD
or Autism has TS, and vice versa, but some symptoms may overlap.
4. Treatment & Support
There is no cure, but support
helps manage symptoms:
Medication 💊 – can
reduce tics or help with anxiety, ADHD, or OCD
Behavioral therapy 🧠 – CBIT
(Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics) teaches strategies to manage
tics
Psychological support ❤️ –
counseling helps with self-esteem and emotional well-being
School & workplace support
🏫 – accommodations, extra time, breaks, or calm spaces
5. Strengths of People with TS
Everyone with TS is different,
but many are:
Creative 🎨 – great at
art, music, or writing
Good communicators 🗣️ – can
explain ideas clearly
Focused 🧠 – can
hyper-focus on topics of interest
Empathetic 🤝 – kind and
understanding of others
💡 Remember: TS is only one part of who a person is. With support, people
with TS can flourish and shine.
6. Symbols / Visual Aids
Motor tics 👁️👋🤷♂️
Vocal tics 🗣️🔊
Stress / Anxiety 😟
ADHD ⚡
Autism 🧩
OCD 🌀
Therapy 🧠
Medication 💊
School / Work 🏫
7. Optional Quiz / Reflection
Questions
What is Tourette Syndrome
(TS)?
What are tics?
Name two types of tics.
When does TS usually start?
Name two conditions that often
occur with TS.
Can TS be cured?
How can schools help children
with TS?
Name two strengths people with
TS may have.
Why is it important to
understand that tics are involuntary?
Easy Read Module: Tourette Syndrome (TS)
Title: 🧠 Tourette Syndrome – Understanding Tics &
Support
1. What Is Tourette Syndrome (TS)?
TS is a neurological condition affecting the
brain and nervous system.
People with TS make involuntary movements and
sounds called tics.
These tics are not done on purpose – the body
and brain do them automatically.
Examples of Tics:
Motor tics: blinking, grimacing, head jerking,
shrugging
Vocal tics: throat clearing, sniffing,
repeating words
Simple tics: quick, sudden movements or sounds
Complex tics: coordinated patterns of movement
or speech (e.g., jumping or repeating phrases)
💡 Remember:
Everyone’s tics are different and can change over time.
2. When Does TS Start?
Usually appears between ages 5 and 10
Symptoms may improve in late adolescence or
adulthood
Can change over time or become worse with stress,
excitement, or fatigue
3. Causes & Co-occurring Conditions
Exact cause is not fully known
Believed to involve genetic and environmental
factors affecting brain chemicals like dopamine
Common co-occurring conditions:
ADHD ⚡ (difficulty focusing or sitting still)
Autism Spectrum Disorder 🧩
OCD 🌀
Anxiety / Depression 😟
Sleep difficulties 🛌
Sensitivity to changes in routine 🔄
Note: Not everyone with ADHD or Autism has TS,
and vice versa, but some symptoms may overlap.
4. Treatment & Support
There is no cure, but support helps manage
symptoms:
Medication 💊 – can reduce tics or help
with anxiety, ADHD, or OCD
Behavioral therapy 🧠 – CBIT (Comprehensive
Behavioral Intervention for Tics) teaches strategies to manage tics
Psychological support ❤️ – counseling helps with
self-esteem and emotional well-being
School & workplace support 🏫 – accommodations, extra time,
breaks, or calm spaces
5. Strengths of People with TS
Everyone with TS is different, but many are:
Creative 🎨 – great at art, music, or writing
Good communicators 🗣️ – can explain ideas clearly
Focused 🧠 – can hyper-focus on topics of interest
Empathetic 🤝 – kind and understanding of
others
💡 Remember:
TS is only one part of who a person is. With support, people with TS can flourish
and shine.
6. Symbols / Visual Aids
Motor tics 👁️👋🤷♂️
Vocal tics 🗣️🔊
Stress / Anxiety 😟
ADHD ⚡
Autism 🧩
OCD 🌀
Therapy 🧠
Medication 💊
School / Work 🏫
7. Optional Quiz / Reflection Questions
What is Tourette Syndrome (TS)?
What are tics?
Name two types of tics.
When does TS usually start?
Name two conditions that often occur with TS.
Can TS be cured?
How can schools help children with TS?
Name two strengths people with TS may have.
Why is it important to understand that tics are
involuntary?
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