Page 38 - Part-A

Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties

How an individual’s Specific Learning Difficulty may
affect others

Key Fact

Approximately 15% of the global population, which equates to
around nine million people in the UK, have dyslexia and/or other
Specific Learning Difficulties.

Source: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexic/dyslexia-and-
specific-difficulties-overview

The key fact above shows that many people in all walks of life will come across
SpLDs and will need to understand more about them.

Both research and reports from people with the conditions has shown that individuals
with SpLDs are more susceptible to suffering from stress than would usually be the
case. This means that the difficulties they face with their condition are magnified,
or become more pronounced, and this in turn adversely affects their self-esteem
and confidence. This can have a major impact on family members, carers and those
closest to the individuals in terms of the quality of their relationships and the
constant need for support and encouragement.

Difficulties associated with the condition may become apparent at school, and
parents or carers may then start to ask questions and look for an explanation for the
challenges faced by their child. Some people feel that if a child is labelled as having
an SpLD, the teachers may then expect less of them and have a negative view of their
abilities. The child may then not achieve as well as they could do with more support,
and they may suffer from low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Awareness and
training for teachers is therefore important to enable them to recognise and respond
appropriately to the needs of each individual.

Most schools, colleges and universities, however, have policies and systems to help
and support students with SpLDs and also to help teaching and other staff recognise
and work effectively with the individuals.

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