What is a learning difficulty?
Children who have a learning difficulty find it harder to learn than the majority of children of the same age, or they may have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of the education provided for other children. Children do not have learning difficulties simply because their first language is not English. However, some of these children may also have learning difficulties. A learning difficulty might cause difficulties with: – some or all of your child’s work – reading, writing or number work – your child’s ability to express themselves or understand information – making friends or relating to adults – behaviour in school – personal organisation – tasks or activities which depend on sensory or physical skills. The SEN Code of Practice is the guidance that early years settings, state schools, LAs and others must follow to identify, assess and make provision for children who have special educational needs. The Code (paragraphs 7:52 to 7:63) suggests that there are 4
A learning difficulty is in its simplest explanation, a disturbance in the ability to read, write and/or calculate. This condition is a perplexing one because it is a hidden difficulty. It is not visible to the onlooker like say measles or mumps and that probably is why it becomes more difficult for people around to accept. It is not an illness, a virus or bacteria does not cause it so in that sense there is no cure. It is a condition that the individual must learn to deal with. It can be likened to a state where the individual has poor eyesight and he or she deals with the condition by wearing glasses. A learning difficulty affects the ability of the brain to process information. Children can have trouble in reading, writing, speaking, understanding and listening. The condition called learning difficulty can manifest in a number of ways. There is no definite structure or path that can be seen. That is why diagnosis becomes so difficult.
