RESEARCH
What Are SpLDs?
The term ‘Specific Learning Difficulty’ (SpLD) is a term that refers to a difference or difficulty with particular aspects of learning. The most common SpLDs are dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. An individual may have one of these independently or they can co-exist as part of a wider profile. Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) exist on a continuum from mild to moderate through to severe. There are common patterns of behaviour and ability, but there will be a range of different patterns of effects for each individual.
What Is Dyscalculia?
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Dyscalculia is a math learning disability that impairs an individual's ability to learn number-related concepts, perform accurate math calculations, reason and problem solve, and perform other basic math skills. Dyscalculia is sometimes called “number dyslexia” or “math dyslexia.”
What Is Dyslexia?
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Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding). Also called reading disability, dyslexia affects areas of the brain that process language.
What Is Dyspraxia?
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Dyspraxia is a brain-based motor disorder. It affects fine and gross motor skills, motor planning, and coordination. It's not related to intelligence, but it can sometimes affect cognitive skills. Dyspraxia is sometimes used interchangeably with developmental coordination disorder.
What Is Dysgraphia?
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Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder of written expression that impairs writing ability and fine motor skills. It is a learning disability that affects children and adults, and interferes with practically all aspects of the writing process, including spelling, legibility, word spacing and sizing, and expression.
What Is ADHD?
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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition that includes symptoms such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include a short attention span, constantly fidgeting and acting without thinking.
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What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that involves persistent challenges in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors. The effects of ASD and the severity of symptoms are different in each person.
Surveys
I have conducted two surveys and have shared them onto various Facebook groups for people with learning conditions, I have asked a variety of questions about how others learning conditions affect them in their daily lives, also asking them about what the support is like in and out of education, I’ve received 24 responses, I made a second survey asking parents and careers of children with learning conditions about their child’s experience and how it feels looking after a child with learning conditions, I’ve received 62 responses from that survey.
