Are you worried about your child, and how they are coping at school? Are you worried about your own struggles with reading, writing, or maths?
Learning difficulties can leave us feeling stressed, left out, and unable to progress.
A learning difficulty, or ‘specific learning difference (SpLD)’, means the brain does not take in and process information in typical ways. Even though SpLDs affect one’s education, they are not about intellect. Many individuals with SpLDs are bright, which often means that their struggles are overlooked.
Learning difficulties in children can look like:
– falling behind other students in certain areas and ‘feeling stupid’
– viewing learning as ‘boring,’ and not wanting to do homework
– overachieving in other ways, such as being very creative or chatty
– feeling frustrated with learning, which often leads to behavioural issues
In adults, learning difficulties can manifest as:
– avoiding reading, writing, or numbers
– struggling in the workplace
– stressing over daily tasks such as banking and filling out forms
– experiencing difficulties with memory, time, and organisation
– feeling misunderstood and strained in your relationships
Dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia are earning difficulties recognised in the UK. Many people have symptoms of several of these. If this is the case, you might be given an umbrella diagnosis of ‘specific learning difference’, or SpLD.
Dyslexia: The official UK definition of dyslexia offered by the British Psychological Society is of “a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed.”
Dyspraxia: A common dual diagnosis with ADHD or autism, dyspraxia is also known as ‘developmental coordination disorder’, or DCD. As well as causing problems with things like balance, spatial awareness, and hand-eye coordination, it also affects memory and can cause difficulties with remembering and organising time.
Dysgraphia: This learning difficulty involves the connection between language and motor skills. Handwriting, spelling, and putting thoughts on paper can all be a challenge.
Dyscalculia: When it’s numbers and symbols that are confusing, the diagnosis can be dyscalculia. In addition to maths difficulties, dyscalculia can lead to not understanding money, time, scheduling, or quantities.
Testing for a specific learning difference is more than just a diagnosis, it’s about helping you reach your potential. An assessment can help you:
– identify your strengths as well as what you need support with
– uncover your unique learning style
– create strategies for learning and moving forward
– develop a plan for you to access appropriate support
– raise your self-esteem and confidence
A learning difficulty diagnosis can bring desperately needed awareness and support to you and your family. If you are at all worried, why not get in touch to discuss your concerns?
