Specific Learning Disabilities

Learning Needs – Learning needs have a huge effect on a child’s development. A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things in any area of life, not just at school. It affects how they understand information and how they communicate. A child with a general learning disability finds it more difficult to learn, understand and do things compared to other children of the same age. The degree of disability may vary greatly from some children who cannot or are unable to speak and will need a lot of support throughout their lives to children with high functioning autism or ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder, also known as Autistic Spectrum Condition) who can achieve everything, get frustrated academically as they find things too easy, but do struggle to understand and show emotions and often have poor social skills.

General learning disability is different to Specific Learning Disability, which means that the child may have difficulties in only one or two areas of their learning, but manages well in other areas of their development ie: they may
They carry out assessments with regards to learning difficulties or disabilities, supporting schools to evidence the need for an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) and identify difficulties such as dyslexia. They also provide training for schools and other professionals with regards to specific learning disabilities ie: Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Condition (ASD/ASC). Schools refer into this specialist service. I have worked closely with the Educational Psychologists where they have carried out functional behaviour assessments in order to identify specialist support for children to support with their cognitive and learning development. Educational psychologists do not diagnose conditions such as Autism or ADHD although can provide evidence to support the