Learning Disability versus Difficulty - What's the Difference?

For Learning Disability Awareness Week 2023, Les Amis would like to explore the difference between the terms learning disability and learning difficulty - often used interchangeably and incorrectly.

Learning difficulty refers to a condition which presents an obstacle to a specific sphere of learning (e.g., literacy) but does not affect the overall IQ - examples include:

• Dyslexia
• Dyspraxia
• Dysgraphia
• Dyscalculia
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Auditory Processing Disorder
• Language Processing Disorder

Learning disability refers to a condition which affects learning and intelligence across all areas of life, and usually linked to cognitive impairment. A person with a learning disability requires ongoing care and support on some level - examples include:

• Down's Syndrome
• Autism
• Asperger's Syndrome
• Fragile X Syndrome
• Williams Syndrome
• Cerebral Palsy

Understanding the difference can help towards how people with either a learning difficulty or a learning disability get the right support sooner.

To learn more about the services that Les Amis offer to support adults with learning disabilities and associated conditions, CLICK HERE.