Types of learning disabilities and learning difficulties

The definition of a learning disability is a condition that affects somebody’s ability to learn new knowledge or skills.

There are many types of learning disabilities. These can range from mild to severe in how much they affect a person, and they do not necessarily relate to a low IQ.

Many people with learning disabilities can live independently and have jobs and families, while others may need care and support throughout their lives.

Approximately 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability, which is a little over 2% of the population. 

At a glance

Learning disability vs difficulty: A learning disability affects overall ability to learn new skills or knowledge, while a learning difficulty impacts specific areas such as reading, writing, or maths.

Possible causes: Learning disabilities can develop before birth (prenatal), during labour (perinatal), or after birth (postnatal), often due to genetics, brain development, illness, or injury.

Common learning difficulties: Dyslexia affects reading and writing, dyscalculia affects maths, dysgraphia affects handwriting and written organisation, and ADHD affects concentration and attention.

Range of impact: Learning disabilities can vary from mild to severe and do not always relate to low IQ. Some people live independently, while others need lifelong support.

Difference between a learning disability and a learning difficulty

A learning difficulty is not the same thing as a learning disability.

A learning difficulty can cause challenges with an aspect of learning. People with learning difficulties may not require as much support as someone with a learning disability.

Types of common learning difficulties 

Dyslexia

People with dyslexia can have trouble with reading and writing. This is because they find it more difficult to connect verbal sounds and speech with written words and letters. When you read, the brain decodes the text so you know what each word sounds like and understand it. This decoding can be slower for people with dyslexia, as can translating their thoughts into written words.

Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia can cause people to struggle with maths. They can have difficulty with relating a number to its quantity, which presents problems with counting, sums and sequences. People with dyscalculia can also struggle with directions and telling the time.

Dysgraphia

This is a difficulty with writing. People with dysgraphia can find it hard to write in an orderly way. For example, their handwriting may be very difficult to read, have words or letters written in the wrong order or even the wrong way round, and they can find it difficult to write in lines.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD can mean that people with the condition have a short attention span and difficulty concentrating, often getting easily distracted. This can make learning, working and even conversation more challenging.

What causes learning disabilities?

Learning disabilities can be caused while a baby is in the womb (prenatal), during labour (perinatal) or at any point in a person’s life (postnatal). These are often referred to as the three main types of learning disabilities, and most recognised learning disabilities fall into one of these categories. They can be a result of health conditions or how the brain developed.

How do learning disabilities affect people?

Individuals who live with learning disabilities all have their own unique experience, but common effects of a learning disability include difficulties with spoken language, reading comprehension and problem solving.

Examples of learning disabilities with prenatal causes

Down’s Syndrome

In humans, when an egg is fertilised with sperm, 46 chromosomes are typically created. Down’s Syndrome is caused by an extra copy of Chromosome 21. Around 2% of these will have two or even three copies of Chromosome 21, a condition known as Mosaic Down’s Syndrome.

People with Down’s Syndrome may:

• learn more slowly than others
• need support with speech, literacy or memory
• develop skills at their own pace

Many people live independently, work, and have active social lives with the right support.

Williams Syndrome

Williams Syndrome is a rare genetic condition caused by missing genes on Chromosome 7. People with Williams Syndrome are often very sociable, caring and empathetic, and many enjoy connecting with others and building strong relationships. They may also have excellent memories and expressive personalities.

Some people with Williams Syndrome can find learning more challenging and may take longer to develop certain academic, social or practical skills. However, with the right support, many people are able to build confidence, develop independence and enjoy fulfilling lives at their own pace.

Rett Syndrome

Rett Syndrome is a rare neurological and developmental condition caused by a change in a gene on the X chromosome. It mainly affects girls, although it can occur in boys in very rare cases.

Children with Rett Syndrome are usually born without obvious signs of the condition, but symptoms often become more noticeable as they grow and develop. Over time, some people may experience increasing difficulties with movement, coordination, speech and communication.

Every person with Rett Syndrome is different, and the level of support needed can vary widely. With specialist care, therapies and support from family and professionals, many people with Rett Syndrome can continue to engage with the world around them and enjoy meaningful connections and activities.

Prader-Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi Syndrome is a rare genetic condition caused by changes to Chromosome 15. It can affect appetite, growth, behaviour and learning. Many people with the condition experience a constant feeling of hunger, which can make managing eating habits especially challenging and sometimes frustrating for both the individual and their family.

People with Prader-Willi Syndrome may also have a learning difficulty or learning disability and can take longer to develop physical, social and academic skills. Every person’s experience is different, and the level of support needed can vary over time.

With understanding, structured support and the right care, many people with Prader-Willi Syndrome are able to develop routines, build independence and enjoy meaningful relationships and activities.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism is not a learning disability in itself. In fact, many people with autism have extremely high intelligence, but around half of people with the condition do have a learning disability.

Autism is linked to differences in brain development and genetics, although researchers are still learning more about its exact causes. It can affect a person’s abilities to form an understanding of what they are learning.

Around 1% of people have autism.

Examples of learning disabilities with perinatal causes

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is a condition that mainly affects movement, coordination and posture. It is caused by damage to the developing brain before, during or shortly after birth. The effects can vary widely from person to person, with some people needing very little support and others requiring more specialist care throughout their lives.

Cerebral palsy is not a learning disability itself, but some people with the condition may also have a learning disability or learning difficulty. This depends on which parts of the brain have been affected.

People with cerebral palsy may experience challenges with movement, speech or daily activities, but with the right support, therapies and adaptations, many are able to build independence, communicate in their own way and lead fulfilling lives.

Tourette’s Syndrome

Tourette’s Syndrome can develop before, during or after birth. Its exact cause is unknown, but it is a neurological condition that likely affects the parts of the brain that control movement and speech. People can be born with Tourette’s Syndrome or develop it due to trauma to the brain.

Even if the cause is prenatal or a trauma during labour, the symptoms usually only start to become apparent when a child is between aged 3 and 9 years old. People with Tourette’s Syndrome can have uncontrollable ‘tics’. These are involuntary body movements or verbal words, phrases or noises. They can become more intense when the person is stressed.

While Tourette’s Syndrome is not a learning disability, many people with the condition also have a learning difficulty or disability that affects their reading, writing or maths.

Postnatal causes that can result in a learning disability

Meningitis

Meningitis causes the lining around the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed. It is caused by a bacterial infection and can result in difficulties with hearing, behaviour and learning. Some people who have recovered from meningitis are left with a learning disability, while others can fully recover.

Trauma

Any brain trauma, such as an accident or swelling, can leave somebody with a learning disability. When a brain is injured, calls or neural pathways can die, resulting in reduced ability to function. Different parts of the brain control different functions so how brain injuries affect people varied widely. Some people may fully recover from trauma to the brain, while others can have difficulties for the rest of their lives.

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