🧠 WHAT IS A LEARNING DISABILITY?

A learning disability is a neurological condition that affects how a person:

Learns 📖
Understands information 🧠
Remembers things 💭
Communicates ideas 💬

🧩 Key Features

Learning disabilities:

Are lifelong ♾️
Are not caused by poor teaching or environment
Do NOT mean low intelligence
Affect people in different ways

They may impact:

Reading 📖
Writing ✏️
Maths 🔢
Daily life skills 🏠

📚 Examples of Learning Disabilities

Dyslexia
Dyscalculia
Dysgraphia

🧠 Learning Difficulty (Broader Term)

A learning difficulty means any barrier to learning.

It can be caused by:

Learning disabilities
ADHD
Sensory needs
Environment or access barriers

👉 It may be temporary or long-term.

💛 PSYCHOLOGY & LEARNING DISABILITIES

🧠 How Psychology Helps

Psychology helps us understand:

Thoughts 🧠
Feelings 💛
Behaviour 👣

It is used to support people with learning differences and emotional needs.

💭 Emotional Impact of Learning Differences

Learning disabilities can affect:

Confidence
Self-esteem
Emotional wellbeing

Common outcomes:

Anxiety 😰
Depression 💔
Withdrawal 😔
Behaviour challenges ⚡

⚠️ Behaviour and Emotional Responses

Some people may:

Internalise feelings:

Feel anxious
Become quiet or withdrawn
Lose confidence

Externalise feelings:

Show frustration
Display anger
Struggle with behaviour control

🧠 Mental Health Connection

Learning difficulties are often linked with:

Anxiety
Depression
Low self-esteem

This may happen because of:

Stress in education
Social misunderstanding
Feeling “different”
Academic pressure

🧪 Assessment & Diagnosis

Psychologists may assess:

Learning needs
Behaviour
Emotional wellbeing

Conditions assessed may include:

Autism Spectrum Disorder
ADHD
Dyslexia

🛠️ Support & Interventions

Support may include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) 💬
Social skills development
Emotional support
Psychoeducation

🏫 Educational Psychology Support

Educational psychologists help by:

Adapting teaching methods
Improving learning environments
Supporting emotional development
Helping schools understand needs

⚠️ Key Psychological Concerns

Anxiety

Common in people with:

Reading difficulties
Writing difficulties
Maths difficulties

Self-esteem issues

Low confidence
Fear of failure
Frustration in learning

Risk factors

Some individuals may experience:

Emotional distress
Feelings of hopelessness

👉 Early support is essential

🤝 Multidisciplinary Support

Support may involve:

Schools 🏫
Families 👨‍👩‍👧
Health professionals 🏥
Psychologists 🧠

👉 This creates whole-person support.

🌟 KEY MESSAGE

Learning disabilities affect emotions and learning
Mental health and learning are closely linked
Early support improves outcomes
People can succeed with the right help

🟦 EASY READ SECTION

🧠 What is Psychology in Learning Disabilities?

Psychology helps us understand:

Learning
Feelings
Behaviour

💛 Feelings People May Have

Some people may feel:

Worried 😟
Sad 😢
Confused 😕
Angry 😠

🧠 Why This Happens

This may be because of:

School stress
Difficulty learning
Feeling different

🛠️ Getting Help

Psychologists can:

Understand needs
Offer support
Help people feel better

🏫 Support in Schools

Support may include:

Different teaching methods
Extra help
Confidence building

⭐ Important Message

You are not alone
Support can help
People can improve and succeed

🧪 QUIZ / ASSESSMENT

1. Psychology in learning disabilities focuses on:

A) Cooking
B) Thoughts, feelings and behaviour
C) Sports
D) Driving
✅ Answer: B

2. Which is linked to learning difficulties?

A) Anxiety
B) Height
C) Eye colour
D) Weather
✅ Answer: A

3. CBT stands for:

A) Creative Brain Training
B) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
C) Controlled Behaviour Test
D) Computer Based Teaching
✅ Answer: B

4. Psychologists may work with:

A) Schools
B) Families
C) Health professionals
D) All of the above
✅ Answer: D

Short Answer

Name one learning difficulty
Name one type of psychological support

📊 POWERPOINT SLIDE CONTENT

Slide 1

Psychology in Learning Disabilities & Mental Health

Slide 2

Thoughts – Feelings – Behaviour

Slide 3

Learning and mental health are connected

Slide 4

Anxiety, low confidence, stress

Slide 5

Dyslexia – ADHD – Autism

Slide 6

CBT – Social skills – Emotional support

Slide 7

Adapt teaching – Support learning

Slide 8

Support helps people succeed

🧾 PRINTABLE LEAFLET VERSION

Key Points