Extra Time Learning Difficulty and Disability

[aquestioningquery]

My D.C. has been awarded extra time for slow handwriting speed after an assessment at school. They have no specific diagnosis of any particular disability. Is this classed as a "learning difficulty"?

Or processing difficulties.

Not necessarily.

Dd has slow handwriting due to hyper mobility for example which is obviously a physical issue.

Ds has fine motor co-ordination problems, it is related to his autism but that in itself is not a learning difficulty.

You’ll hear lots of catch all terms.

Additional learning needs
Specific learning difficulty
Extra needs
Special educational needs
Specific support requirements

None of them mean very much. It’s good that he has the extra time he needs.

Everyone on the SEND register is considered to have a learning issue.

The majority of students on the register will not have a diagnosis nor is one needed to access additional provision or support.

Thanks for the replies.

Ds has fine motor co-ordination problems, it is related to his autism but that in itself is not a learning difficulty.

So if I understand it correctly the autism is the learning difficulty (or disability?), the motor coordination is just one way the autism manifests?

None of them mean very much. It’s good that he has the extra time he needs

Yes, it's just for the future it is just useful to know the best terms to use in order to communicate the reason for the extra time allowed.

Everyone on the SEND register is considered to have a learning issue.

But is this different to a learning difficulty?

The majority of students on the register will not have a diagnosis nor is one needed to access additional provision or support.

That's what I thought, however, the JCQ talks in terms of "learning difficulty" and "disability" with regards to awarding extra time for slow handwriting.

www.jcq.org.uk/Download/exams-office/access-arrangements-and-special-consideration/regulations-and-guidance/access-arrangements-and-reasonable-adjustments-2019-20

A learning difficulty, problem, issue is the same thing.

Thank you. That makes sense to me (I think, sort of), cabbageking. Just seems like the terms and language surrounding additional needs and provision is constantly evolving.