The difference between a learning disability and learning difficulties

[Elmo230885]

Probably not the right place but hopefully this post will help someone.

It may seem pedantic but it can make a big difference, for example when applying for benefits or paperwork for EHCPs. Learning difficulties and a learning disability are completely different things.

In a nutshell a learning disability affects all aspects of learning and intelligence (resulting in a low, less than 70, IQ) whilst a learning difficulty is related to a specific aspect of learning ( e.g. dyslexia) and doesn't affect an individual's overall IQ.

(Autism is neither of these things, but that's a different thread completely)

My understanding is that the diagnostic manuals differentiate between specific learning disabilities (SpLD)and (generalised) learning disability (LD). Rather than between the terms disability and difficulty?

DD1 has never had a full IQ test. She's had her learning disability diagnosis since age 5. It was 'Global Developmental Delay' before that.

The DSM IV uses Learning Disability (eg Intellectual Disability), versus Specific Learning Disorder (eg dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dyslexia etc etc)

The complexity is that services use colloquial language, as well as different countries using different terms and education and health using different terms. I wish the language could be standardised in some way.

@Lougle for anyone else reading your comment who may be confused: Global Developmental Delay is diagnosed when formal assessment isn't yet possible eg when a child is young. If it is clear that the child when an older teen or adult has not met the same level as their peers and has a Learning Disability, it's unlikely practically that services will offer formal LD assessment. At that point it's appropriate to say the adult has a Learning Disability.

Crimesean you are confusing the word disability which encompasses anyone who meets the criteria stated in the Equality Act whether they have a diagnosis of anything or not and the diagnosis of a learning disability (mild, moderate, severe and profound), which is a specific diagnosis with its own criteria just like any other diagnosis has it’s own criteria.

The DSM IV uses Learning Disability (eg Intellectual Disability), versus Specific Learning Disorder (eg dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dyslexia etc etc)

Thanks That is what I was trying to clarify. And is different to the OP's definition.

@LosingTheWill2022 @Elmo230885 I can see how it's very confusing for those who do not work professionally in the field (and those who do!).

There is:
The diagnosis of Learning Disability
Specific Learning Disorders
Other neurodevelopmental diagnoses (ASD, FASD, ADHD), which can produce specific cognitive difficulties (e.g. executive impairments in ASD and FASD), and which MAY also occur with a Learning Disability (approx 1/3 of those with ASD or FASD).

But Autism and learning disabilities can come together my child has severe autism and learning disabilities he has very complex needs I'm fully aware many people with a diagnosis of autism dont also have learning disabilities but many do

It's frustrating for parents. DD1 does have a LD nurse now but only because she developed an eating disorder and the CAMHS EDT needed the support of the LD nurse to help them communicate in a DD1 friendly way and the Psych and nurse both realised that most of her issues with eating stem from the poor experience she was having of special school, so the LD nurse has been visiting the school to try to put better provision in place.

We are hoping this will pave the way for DD1 to have LD nursing in adulthood.

@Lougle It will vary across the UK countries, but if your DD is in contact with CAMHS LD nursing when she leaves education, ask if there is a transition screening pathway to adult LD services.

I want to reassure you that in my area LD CAMHS input plus specialist schooling would suggest someone is likely for our adult LD Team, not generic adult services.

I think it’s very unclear.

Thanks @TheDaydreamBelievers

I found it confusing when I moved to the UK as I was used to learning disabilities/difficulties meaning the same thing, things like dyslexia, an low IQ being called an intellectual disability.

I think the whole IQ thing is extremely frustrating. I have a child with severe autism and associated learning disabilities (yes I do mean disabilities) but they have never had an iq test (which is pretty standard - the NHS don’t seem to ever offer them, at least not in our area - Norfolk - anyway) so we can never access any of the therapy / help offered to those with learning disabilities as part of their criteria is an iq of 70 or under and we have no idea what his iq is! The only way we could find out would be to pay £500 to have this assessed privately but the fact he attends a complex needs school for children with severe needs and has an ehcp detailing his difficulties is not enough…! Very frustrating. Slightly off the point of the thread but needed a moan.

I think the IQ is a red herring. Ds has what is described as “at least normal” IQ but can’t communicate effectively through his language disorder and autism (which is also problematic as he doesn’t share that much with the expected autistic presentations). It’s all just word soup and very frustrating.

I don’t think you are correct op and it’s much more nuanced. Many learning difficulties can be severe enough to be a disability and of course many learning disabilities could also be individually classed as a difficulty.

im sure your intentions are good but I don’t think you are correct.

This thread shows how confusing it is! I work in FE; our college external webpage even gets it wrong (links from 'do you require learning support on your course?' goes to the Supported Learning - learning disabilities - department). I've asked for it to be changed many times.

We have students who tell their teachers they're dyslexic, but who actually have a diagnosis of moderate learning difficulty, or similar.

a learning difficulty is related to a specific aspect of learning ( e.g. dyslexia)

Well, almost.

a specific learning difficulty, yes.

but you can also have moderate learning difficulties, which aren’t specific.

Also, just to clarify, there is no such thing as learning disabilities.

it is a learning disability.

sadly even the NHS website gets it wrong.

So what is “a learning disability” then @AvidlyReading ?

You are confusing disability defined as per the Equality Act and a learning disability which is a specific diagnosis with its own set of diagnostic criteria. So, a learning difficulty may be disability, but it is not a learning disability. Although someone may have a learning disability and a learning difficulty.

I have damage to my brain following the impact of radiotherapy and tumours.
I also have high IQ and a degree.
However, I often forget words or mis-use them. Classed as a disability by DWP, but difficulties by frustrated me!

I thought dyslexia was a learning disability! Learn something new every day. Although I tend to just say I'm dyslexic and autistic.

I thought dyslexia was a specific learning difficulty??

Dyslexia is classed as a Specific learning difficulty (or even difference!)