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Specific Learning Difficulties

language learning movement reading speech writing
Written by Livia Farkas || First published: 28 June, 2023 | Last edited: 18 March, 2025 || 📚🕒 Reading Time: < 1 minute

Having a learning difficulty means a person has a harder time learning and acquiring skills. Learning difficulties are not related to levels of intelligence, the related conditions are neurological.

These conditions include ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and autism. People with learning difficulties need adjustments, inclusive accommodations and help with learning.

What causes learning difficulties?

Specific Learning Difficulties are developmental conditions, meaning that while environmental factors may have some effect on their presentation, the underlying condition is something the individual was born with. Developmental Specific Learning Difficulties often run in families, and the existence of these difficulties comes down to differences in how specific brain structures develop. As such, environmental factors, bad parenting, or lack of parental care are not the originator of SpLDs. 

However, some learning difficulties can be acquired later in life. These are also rooted in the brain, but they are caused by trauma or injuries suffered after birth. Whether the specific cause is an infection, an accident, a tumour or a stroke, the origin of the atypical working of certain areas of the brain is down to external causes.

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Related terms:
  • dyscalculia
  • neurodivergent adaptations
  • dyslexia
  • autism
  • neuroaffirming
  • ADHD

About the Author

  • Livia Farkas

    Livia is a Neurodivergent Adaptation Educator with a sharp sense for simplifying complex ideas. Since 2008, she's developed 294 distinct techniques catered to the needs of clients. A total of 5058 alumni have enrolled in one or more of the 8 online courses she co-developed with Adam, offering neurodivergence-inclusive frameworks for time management, goal setting, self-care for mental health, and small-business management. Her life goal is to be a walking permission slip for neurodivergent adults. In her free time, she enjoys stickers & planners, crochet & roller skates, and running around with her pet bunny Rumi.

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