What’s the difference between a learning difficulty and a disability?
Learning difficulties and learning disabilities are not the same. A learning difficulty can affect how someone learns and develops certain skills, such as reading, writing or maths, but does not affect their overall intelligence. Dyslexia is one example of a specific learning difficulty.
A learning disability affects a person’s intellectual ability. This can make it harder to learn new or complex information, develop new skills and manage some everyday activities. Learning disabilities affect people in different ways, and the level of support someone needs will vary.
How can counselling help children with learning difficulties?
Learning difficulties can affect different areas of a child’s life, including their education, relationships and everyday activities. Some children may feel frustrated or lose confidence when they find certain aspects of learning more difficult than their peers. This can sometimes lead to feelings of frustration, anger, anxiety or stress.
Speaking to a counsellor can provide emotional support, giving children a space to talk about how they feel and explore ways to cope. Counselling may also help parents and families understand and support the emotional challenges their child is experiencing.
In this video, psychotherapist Elle Mead NCPS (accred) PGDip Psychotherapist explains how counselling can help parents of children with learning difficulties and how this, in turn, benefits the child.
Counselling may help children with some of the emotions that can come with a learning difficulty, such as frustration, anxiety or low self-esteem. Counselling can also offer a supportive space to talk about their experiences and how they’re feeling.
Different types of support may be helpful depending on the child and the challenges they’re experiencing. Occupational therapy, for example, may support children who have difficulties with movement and co-ordination. Approaches such as solution-focused counselling, group therapy or play therapy may also be worth exploring, depending on the child’s age, needs and preferences.
What are specific learning difficulties?
The term specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) describes a range of learning difficulties, including:
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that mainly affects reading, writing and spelling. It can also affect skills such as remembering information, using numbers, planning and organising. Dyslexia does not affect intelligence.
Dyspraxia
Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), sometimes called dyspraxia, affects movement and co-ordination. It can affect people in different ways and may continue into adulthood. Children with DCD may find activities such as writing, typing, getting dressed or riding a bike more difficult. The condition can also affect their ability to learn new physical skills.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia involves persistent difficulties with numbers and mathematical concepts. This can include number sense, calculations, telling the time and understanding quantity.
Some children with specific learning difficulties may find aspects of school challenging, particularly if they do not have the right support in place. These experiences can sometimes affect their confidence or self-esteem and leave them feeling frustrated about learning.
Having a learning difficulty does not reflect a child’s intelligence or what they are capable of achieving. With the right understanding and support, children can build confidence, develop their strengths and find ways of learning that work for them.
Ready to find a counsellor?
Seeing your child struggle with learning can be difficult, especially if it’s affecting their confidence or how they feel about themselves. Counselling can give your child a supportive space to talk about what they’re experiencing, at their own pace. Use our advanced search to find a counsellor who works with children with learning difficulties.
