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For those of you that have been here before, you may already know that I primarily write about Python coding projects ✊💻 But for this post, I'd like to delve into the neurodiversity aspect of this blog theme once again. Last time, I wrote an introductory article about autism (officially known as Autism Spectrum Disorder). This time, however, I'd like to talk about specific learning difficulties.

What are specific learning difficulties?

Specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) is a broad term describing difficulties with specific aspects of learning (e.g. reading, writing, calculations, etc.) that cannot be explained by major cognitive impairments (e.g. intellectual/global learning disability).

SpLDs are also known by other names including:

Specific learning disorder
Specific learning disabilities
Learning disabilities
Learning differences

Are these labels just for school kids?

It is fairly common to pick up signs of SpLDs during school when there is a lot more emphasis on learning how to read, write, and perform basic math skills. But you don't just "grow out" of it. Some people get diagnosed later in life well into adulthood! Some people do quite well in school growing up, but then experience difficulties later in life when learning tasks become more demanding. (e.g. Being able to read and do math would be crucial for paying the bills!!!) Some people may have done quite poorly in school but not have been assessed due to lack of resources or awareness. Some people never receive a diagnosis even if they had signs of learning struggles. It's fair to assume that SpLDs stick around for life.

You mentioned that SpLD is a broad term suggesting some sort of difficulty with learning. Are there any labels that narrow down what exact difficulty the person can have?

Well... yes. There are certain terms that may give a better indication of the "specific" difficulty. The following three are more-or-less consistently used to describe certain difficulties:

Dyslexia - (Difficulty in reading)
Dyscalculia - (Difficulty in calculations)
Dysgraphia - (Difficulty in writing)

It seems straightforward, doesn't it? In theory, yes. But in reality, not quite. For example, while dyslexia is COMMONLY referred to a difficulty in reading, many people identified as dyslexic can have problems with aspects of writing, being able to tell from left to right, or being able to perform well in math. Difficulty with writing can overlap with dysgraphia, difficulty with math can overlap with dyscalculia, and difficulty telling from left to right is common among many people with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. There is also no clear consensus on the definition of dyslexia as well since some describe it as a condition leading to difficulties with general language development.

There are also certain conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental coordination disorder (DCD aka dyspraxia), or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that are not directly considered to be learning difficulties but can be in certain contexts due to the difficulties with attention, coordination, or communication etc. There are also conditions such as hyperlexia, the ability to be able to read at an advanced level relative to the person's age or educational background, that are debated as to whether it would be a learning difficulty due to the lack of consensus on what counts or doesn't count as being hyperlexic. It is fairly common for those with learning difficulties to have multiple diagnoses as well.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-V), a manual setting a universal criteria of psychological or neurological conditions, no longer includes terms like dyslexia or dyscalculia as diagnostic labels but instead uses the term "specific learning disorder in reading" or "specific learning disorder in calculations" respectively.

That's why many people are diagnosed as having "specific learning difficulties" with a description of the difficulties the individual experiences instead of giving a label such as dyslexia.

What do you recommend for those with specific learning difficulties? Are there any tools or strategies that help?

I think the first step is self-reflection. It might be helpful to ask:

Do I/she/he/they struggle with reading, writing, or calculations?
Do I/she/he/they struggle with learning letters? Or reading aloud? Understanding the passage?
Does it seem to take a lot longer to read/write/do math than other people?
Do I/she/he/they have a hard time remembering instructions? Following steps in order? Retaining pieces of information?

Asking questions would be useful to narrow down what aspects of learning are particularly difficult. It might be useful to look for specific strategies that seemed to have helped other people with similar struggles. When seeking an official assessment, the assessor would ask similar questions so it would be useful to keep the answers in mind beforehand.

If you have an official assessment, the assessor would hopefully provide specific recommendations tailored to the individual. Generally speaking, tools and strategies useful for learning include:

Mind-mapping (Particularly useful for people that struggle with organizing ideas)
Text-to-speech software (Particularly useful for proof-reading or learning how to read aloud)
Speech-to-text/dictation software (Particularly useful for those who struggle with writing)
Calculators or abacus (Particularly useful for those who struggle with mental calculations)

There are many free resources online that you can download. If you have limited access to the internet, having someone help with mind-mapping, reading aloud, dictating, etc. would be useful.

For those that have an official diagnosis, schools and workplaces may be able to implement reasonable accommodations. Common accommodations include:

Extra time on exams
Breaks during exams
Extended deadlines for assignments
Access to assistive technology
Extra consideration when marking assignments

It would be best to negotiate with the institution as to what accommodations can be implemented. Different places may have different policies or varying levels of access to the resources necessary to implement the accommodations.

Final remarks:

SpLDs are not the end of the world! The most important message in life is to take care of yourself and try and fulfill your needs to the best you can! SpLD is just one thing to consider when living life to the fullest! Stay safe and stay healthy! 💕

Check out my other blog posts in the archives section. If you're particularly interested in topics related to neurodiversity and coding, go ahead! 👌 Feel free to leave comments below 😊

References:

Chronicles of a Neurodivergent Programmer

Sunday, July 18, 2021

Unravelling the mystery of specific learning difficulties