Level 2 Specific Learning Difficulties

Having a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) can affect how someone develops particular skills such as reading, writing, or coordination. In the UK, around 15% of people – roughly 10 million – live with an SpLD. For professionals working in healthcare, social care, and education, it is vital to understand the different types of learning difficulties and how they impact individuals.

This course is designed to expand your knowledge of a range of SpLDs, including ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia. It explores the key characteristics of each condition, providing the knowledge needed to help children overcome barriers in education and support adults to access or maintain employment.

You will also gain an understanding of the various assessment methods used in diagnosing conditions such as ADHD and dyslexia, helping you to better recognise and respond to individual needs.

How Do Specific Learning Difficulties Affect People?

The most common SpLDs include ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, and dysgraphia. Each can present unique challenges:

• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): affects concentration, impulse control, and activity levels.
  
• Dyslexia: impacts reading and writing, often causing difficulties with decoding words, comprehension, or spelling.
  
• Dyscalculia: creates challenges in understanding numbers, arithmetic, and problem-solving in maths.
  
• Dyspraxia: affects movement and coordination, making tasks like writing, tying shoelaces, or playing sports more difficult.
  
• Dysgraphia: impacts handwriting, with difficulties in forming letters, writing neatly, or staying within lines.
  

SpLDs affect people differently. For some, the challenges may be mild and manageable with support, while for others, they can significantly influence academic progress or career opportunities.

Examples include:

• A child with dyslexia struggling to keep up with reading in class.
  
• A student with dyscalculia finding it difficult to complete maths assignments.
  
• An adult with dyspraxia facing difficulties with tasks like typing or handwriting at work.
  
• A person with dysgraphia struggling to take notes or complete written forms.
  

It is important to emphasise that people with SpLDs are just as intelligent as anyone else. They may simply need alternative ways to learn, process, and demonstrate their knowledge. With the right support, people with SpLDs can thrive and reach their full potential.

This course will help you understand how each SpLD can be supported effectively, focusing on individual strengths and needs. By completing it, you will be better prepared to contribute to inclusive environments that enable people with SpLDs to succeed in both education and work.