An Introduction to Specific Learning Difficulties
October 26, 2025
Specific learning difficulties affect how individuals learn and process information. These are often confused with learning difficulties, but they are not the same. Specific learning difficulties do not affect general intelligence, whereas learning disabilities do. Common examples of specific learning difficulties include dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD.
These learning difficulties can impact academic and work performance, self-esteem, and everyday tasks if not properly supported.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that can affect a person’s ability to read or write. Individuals with dyslexia may have inaccurate spelling, writing errors, slower handwriting speed, and difficulty planning essays or longer texts.
Approximately 1 in 10 people in the UK has dyslexia. Dyslexia can affect educational and workplace performance, and day-to-day communication. Without the right support, individuals with dyslexia may experience stress, low confidence, and anxiety.
Supporting People with Dyslexia
Methods to support people with dyslexia include:
Avoid Penalising Spelling and Grammar Errors
Don’t include spelling and grammar marks in essays. Marking down for these errors adds to unnecessary stress for those with dyslexia and can unfairly penalise them. Additionally, their spelling and grammar do not reflect the individual’s knowledge of the subject matter.
Extra Time
Allow extra time for essays and long documents. This can decrease stress and pressure, allowing people more time to plan and process their ideas and revise their work.
Fonts
Use dyslexic-friendly fonts and clear formatting in paperwork to make it easier for people to read.
Use Technology
Provide assistive technology and supportive software that can help with tasks such as spell and grammar check, and text-to-speech software.
Alternative Examinations
Offer alternatives to written work when possible.
Raise Awareness
Raise awareness among staff and peers to reduce stigma and create an inclusive environment.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that can affect a person’s mathematical and numerical processing and understanding. Those with dyscalculia may struggle to recognise numbers, keep track when counting, or remember numbers such as phone numbers or dates.
They may also struggle with managing money or remembering and following directions. These challenges can affect both academic performance and daily life activities.
Approximately 5% of people in the UK have dyscalculia.
Supporting People With Dyscalculia
Effective strategies for supporting those with dyscalculia include:
Use Technology
Allow assistive technology such as calculators and digital tools that support number recognition and problem-solving.
Visual Instructions
Provide written or visual directions and instructions to help reinforce understanding.
Visual Aids
Provide visual aids such as number lines and diagrams to make abstract numerical concepts more tangible.
Raise Awareness
Raise awareness among staff and peers to reduce stigma and create an inclusive environment.
Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia, also known as developmental co-ordination disorder, is a specific learning difficulty that affects movement and co-ordination. People with dyspraxia may experience challenges with fine motor skills, such as writing or using small objects. Dyspraxia can also affect balance, coordination, and spatial awareness.
Approximately 3-5% of adults in the UK have dyspraxia. Dyspraxia can present in many different ways; some people with dyspraxia may struggle with organisation and time management, while others may mostly experience physical coordination challenges.
Supporting People With Dyspraxia
Use Alternatives
Offer alternatives to handwriting, such as using computers or speech-to-text software.
Assistive Tools
When alternatives to handwriting are not possible, provide assistive tools such as pencil grips to support fine motor skills.
Smaller Tasks
Break tasks into smaller steps with structured instructions to support organisation and time management.
Extra Time
Allow extra time for physical or written tasks.
Raise Awareness
Raise awareness among staff and peers to reduce stigma and create an inclusive environment.
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a condition that can affect an individual’s ability to write clearly. Whether dysgraphia is categorised as a specific learning difficulty is debated, and it commonly co-occurs with dyslexia. Dysgraphia can affect handwriting, spelling, and organising thoughts. Those with dysgraphia may experience inconsistent handwriting, trouble organising ideas in written form, poor spacing and slower writing speed. These challenges can make written tasks frustrating and limit how effectively someone communicates in writing.
Supporting People With Dysgraphia
Some strategies to support those with dysgraphia include:
Use Technology
Provide assistive technology such as computers and speech-to-text software in order to support tasks.
Alternative Examinations
Allow people to present ideas in ways other than writing, such as oral presentations and diagrams, in order to demonstrate understanding.
Extra Time
Offer more time for written tasks to reduce pressure.
Specialised Feedback
Focus feedback and marking on content rather than handwriting and structuring.
Raise Awareness
Raise awareness among staff and peers to reduce stigma and create an inclusive environment.
Developmental Language Disorder
Developmental language disorder is a specific learning difficulty that impacts an individual’s ability to use and understand words. Those with developmental language disorder may experience challenges in verbally expressing themselves, understanding information, listening to others, and putting words in the correct order when talking.
Supporting People with Developmental Language Disorder
Reduce Distractions
Limit giving information in noisy environments.
Use Visual Aids
Provide visual aids such as symbols and graphs to support learning and understanding.
Clear Instructions
Make instructions and documents clear and structured in order to support the understanding of information.
Raise Awareness
Raise awareness among staff and peers to reduce stigma and create an inclusive environment.
Final Thoughts
Specific learning difficulties can impact an individual’s academic performance, work performance, and self-esteem. Supportive strategies such as extra time, inclusive environments, and assistive technologies can support individuals with specific learning difficulties.
It is also important to speak to the individual themselves; ask them what they are struggling with and what you can do to help them.