Some people have problems in areas such as reading, written expression and maths. There are a range of reasons why people have problems in these areas and not everyone who has problems learning has a disability. For example, learning difficulties may occur if a student has been absent from school and has a gap in their learning. Once additional support has been provided, the gap in their learning reduces.
Students who have a learning disability have learning difficulties that have not responded to appropriate intervention or support and require ongoing reasonable adjustments. Learning disabilities are life-long and neurologically based.
Each student with a learning disability has their own strengths, abilities and interests. Their challenges or barriers to learning will be unique to the specific disability.
Sometimes a child may experience more than one disability. Schools consider the supports required for all of the child’s needs. You can find out more about supports for
other disabilities.
Some common learning disabilities that may result in learning difficulties include:
- Specific learning disabilities—dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia
- Developmental coordination disorder.
A description of each of these disabilities is provided below.
If your child has a condition, disorder or disability that is not outlined on this website, contact your child’s school for information or advice.
What is a specific learning disability?
Specific learning disabilities relate to difficulties in either reading, written expression or mathematics. Students with specific learning disabilities are of average or above average intelligence but have a significant difficulty in one or more of these learning areas, but not across all curriculum areas.
A specific learning disability usually results in the person learning differently and this may impact on the person’s ability to access the curriculum or demonstrate their skills and understanding.