WHAT ARE SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES/DIFFICULTIES (Sp.L.D.)?
Practice and research shows that specific learning disabilities/difficulties will often co-exist to varying degrees. These form what can be seen as the Sp.L.D. umbrella:
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as Dyspraxia
- Attention-Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (ADHD)
- Specific Language Impairment (SLI)
- High-functioning Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Associated Emotional & Social Difficulties (ESD)
Persons identified as having Sp.L.D. all show different intellectual and emotional profiles, strengths and weaknesses, learning styles and life experiences. Within this context, Sp.L.D. can be identified as distinctive patterns of difficulties, relating to the processing of information, within a continuum from very mild to severe, which may result in restrictions in literacy, language, number, motor function, short term memory and organisational skills.