Page 28 - Part-A

Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties

Common misconceptions surrounding Specific Learning
Difficulties

There are numerous misunderstandings and misconceptions about SpLDs, and many
of these contribute to the late identification of the conditions, which is detrimental to
the individuals with SpLDs.

“Since Specific Learning Difficulties are still not adequately understood in all
schools, many children and young people slip through education unidentified and
unsupported.”
Source: British Dyslexia Association

When dyslexia or any other SpLD remains unidentified and the person is not supported
to cope with the condition, this can result in a great deal of stress and anxiety,
resulting in the individual becoming withdrawn and perhaps developing behavioural
issues that only add to their problems.

Some of the more common misconceptions are:

• Parental neglect or lack of involvement causes SpLDs – in fact,
SpLDs often run in families and are biological/neurological
developmental conditions

• SpLDs are all the same – as has previously been discussed in this
course, SpLDs are complicated, vary from person to person, and affect
everyone differently

• People with SpLDs have below average intelligence and cannot learn –
on the contrary, there are many examples of people with SpLDs who have
become very successful

• People will ‘grow out’ of the SpLD – they are lifelong conditions

• SpLDs are just an excuse for irresponsible, unmotivated or lazy people –
individuals with SpLDs often have to work much harder and have a different
way of learning, but the results may not always show their efforts

• SpLDs are only academic in nature and do not affect other areas of a
person’s life – as has been shown throughout this unit, all areas of a
person’s life are usually affected by an SpLD.

Key Fact

SpLDs are lifelong biological/neurological conditions that usually run
in families and are commonly misunderstood. They can, however, be
a great strength for many people, especially those who are creative.
Identification and the right support are crucial.

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