List of Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) & Associated Markers

List of Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) & Associated Markers

• Dyslexia
• Dyslexia Adults
• Dyscalculia
• Dyscalculia Adults
• Dysgraphia
• Dysgraphia Adults
• Dyspraxia
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Nonverbal Learning Disabilities
• Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Gifted / Giftedness
• Left-Handers

Dyslexia affects approximately 10% of the population. Problems can show themselves in reading, writing, number work, short-term memory, hand control and visual processing. Timekeeping, sense of direction and interpersonal skills can also be affected.

Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty in mathematics. Like dyslexia, dyscalculia can be caused by a visual perceptual deficit. Dyscalculia refers specifically to the inability to perform operations in mathematics or arithmetic. It could be described as an extreme difficulty with numbers.

Dysgraphia is the inability to write properly, despite a student, being given adequate time and attention. The cause of this disorder is still unknown but is thought it could be due to a language disorder and/or damage to the motor system.

Dyspraxia is also called: Developmental Dyspraxia or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). It is not certain what causes dyspraxia but it is thought to be due to an immaturity in neurone development in the brain. Dyspraxia affects approximately 10% of the population, some severely. The overwhelming majority are male.

Attention Deficit Disorder (with or without Hyperactivity) has been known for a long time. A child who can’t concentrate; moves around constantly; has poor school performance (in contrast with his intelligence) and has disruptive behaviour may be suffering with ADD / ADHD.

Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NLD) refer to difficulties with regard to problem-solving which does not directly involve the use of spoken language.

Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD).

Speech & Language Difficulties (SALT). If a child has speech problems it is essential that they are assessed as soon as possible.

Gifted / Giftedness / Able / Talented (Underachievers). There are various degrees of gifted / Giftedness in the same way as there are varying degrees of learning difficulties. Some children are gifted in a particular area i.e., mathematics, art or music, but I am discussing children who are gifted overall.

Left-handers make up approximately 10% of the population and they are more likely to suffer from dyslexia.

Common Types of Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia	Difficulty processing language	Problems reading, writing, spelling, speaking
Dyscalculia	Difficulty with math	Problems doing math problems, understanding time, using money
Dysgraphia	Difficulty with writing	Problems with handwriting, spelling, organizing ideas
Dyspraxia (Sensory Integration Disorder)	Difficulty with fine motor skills	Problems with hand–eye coordination, balance, manual dexterity
Auditory Processing Disorder	Difficulty hearing differences between sounds	Problems with reading, comprehension, language
Visual Processing Disorder	Difficulty interpreting visual information	Problems with reading, math, maps, charts, symbols, pictures

Specialists trained to do psychological testing and result interpretation:

• Clinical psychologist
•  School psychologist
•  Educational psychologist
• Developmental psychologist
• Neuropsychologist
• Psychometrist
• Occupational therapist (tests sensory disorders that can lead to learning problems)
• Speech and language therapist

In summary, the range of conditions identified are:

• Dyslexia – Reading, writing and information processing.
• Dyspraxia – Motor skills.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – Attention/Inhibition.
• Asperger Syndrome – Social Skills.
• Dysgraphia – Handwriting skills.
• Semantic Pragmatic Disorder – Language.
• Dyscalculia – Mathematical skills.

A List of the Key Problems Associated with Dyslexia:

• Poor spelling
• A delay in reading
• Difficulties with written language
• Initial difficulties in recognising rhyme
• Problems with mental arithmetic
• Difficulty learning labels
• Poor short-term memory
• Difficulty finding the right word
• Problems with sequences
• Slowness when reading text
• Problems associating letter sounds with the written letters

OOW

2011