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Special educational needs and disabilities

3.Disabilities and learning difficulties

On this page:

    Introduction

    Understanding what disabilities and learning difficulties mean is an important first step in supporting your child.

    Knowing how these terms relate to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can help you understand your child’s needs and find the right support.

    Disability under the Equality Act

    The Equality Act 2010 says someone is disabled if they have a:

    • physical impairment - such as a sight problem, hearing loss or difficulty moving around
    • mental impairment - such as learning difficulties, autism, dyslexia, speech and language difficulties or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

    The impairment must have an adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities, that is both:

    • substantial - this means it has more than a minor or small impact on daily life
    • long-term - it must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months.

    Normal day-to-day activities are things like:

    • moving around
    • getting dressed
    • washing
    • having conversations.

    Learning difficulties

    Here is an explanation of the different types of learning difficulties:

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    Specific learning difficulties (SpLD)

    A child with specific learning difficulties (SpLD) may need help at school with the area they find hard, like spelling or numbers.

    The most common SpLDs are:

    • attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – difficulty paying attention, sitting still, or controlling impulses
    • dyslexia – difficulty with reading and spelling
    • dyspraxia – difficulty with movement and coordination
    • dyscalculia – difficulty with numbers
    • dysgraphia – difficulty with writing.

    Sometimes, a child may have more than one of these difficulties.

    Moderate learning difficulties (MLD)

    A child with moderate learning difficulties (MLD) may:

    • take longer to learn than other pupils their age
    • need extra support in school
    • require a curriculum that is carefully adapted to their needs
    • have social and emotional development that matches their learning level.

    Severe learning difficulties (SLD)

    A child with severe learning difficulties (SLD) faces big challenges that affect their ability to learn and is likely to:

    • need high levels of specialist support for their education and development
    • have social and emotional development and communication skills that match their learning level.

    Profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD)

    A child with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD):

    • has very complex needs, like difficulty with movement, hearing or sight, and serious health issues
    • needs a lot of specialist support at all times.

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