Learning difficulties

What are learning difficulties?


Well, quite simply a variation on normality.

Not being able to concentrate for long periods of time, getting bored rather easily, acting impulsively, tripping over things, trying to make sense of what you read or write, living in your own world, losing track of time, forgetting what you have just learnt, being single minded or extraordinarily talented - perhaps traits we all have?

It is when these characteristics become prominent that they turn into 'learning difficulties'.

At least 5 children in every class have some form of learning difficulty.
These difficulties don't go away and the children grow up to become adults with certain challenges.


Imagine for a moment...

...that you have been working all day on your computer. An important document has been polished to perfection and is ready to be printed out. You press the print button. Nothing happens. Arrrghh! Frustration, anger, futility, resignation. You feel them all Understandably.

Having learning difficulties can be just like that. You seem to have all the tools to work with, but your 'internal print button' is out of order. You feel frustration and failure at every turn. No wonder things often end in tears.

Falling outside the norm as Annie and so many of our children do, places you in a multifaceted and complex world. The facets include the mind, the soul, the environment, ongoing medical research, the educational system, social services, your inner most feelings and self esteem and of course your fears. The complexities are the interplay between all of the above. In some ways the term learning difficulties applies as much to society as to the children involved. Our society seems to have a blind spot - its own form of learning difficulty - towards people with special needs. Society's present inability to meet their needs is both part of, and adds to, the problem. Mindroom was set up to remedy that.

At least 5 children in every class in this country have some form of learning difficulty. Whether you are a parent, sibling, spouse, teacher, head teacher, employer,landlord, GP, dentist,politician, scientist or in fact struggling yourself, learning difficulties affect most of us in one way or another.

 


ADHD

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. People with ADHD can be inattentive, easily distracted, impulsive and hyper active. They often 'get into trouble' by failing to conform and are seen as obstructive or 'naughty' if they are children.

Read more about ADHD


Autism

Difficulties in relating to and communicating with others resulting in social isolation. People with autism can often be perceived as if they live in a world of their own.

Read more about Autism


Asperger Syndrome

Often referred to as 'high functioning autism'; people with Asperger Syndrome frequently have one special, narrow or unusual interest to the exclusion of anything else and often become obsessively involved in it. They can function adequately on their own but may have difficulties in relating to and communicating with others and find the subtleties of social interaction difficult to interpret and employ.

Read more about Asperger Syndrome


DAMP

Deficit in Attention Motorcontrol and Perception is the medical term.It means having some or all of the ADHD characteristics as well as having motor difficulties and problems interpreting what you see and what you hear.

Read more about DAMP


Dyslexia

Specific difficulties in reading and writing.

Read more about Dyslexia

Dyscalculia

Specific difficulties with maths and numbers.

Read more about Dyscalculia


Dyspraxia

Specific difficulties with co ordination , motor planning and motorcontrol.

Read more about Dyspraxia


Tourette Syndrome

Involuntary movements or sounds which may come and go and vary in severity.

 

Read more about Tourette Syndrome


These are some of the most common conditions associated with learning difficulties.It is very common for these difficulties to exist in various combinations.