Sometimes there is confusion between the differences of a Learning Disability and Learning Difficultly, the terms are often interchanged with individuals. In general, a learning disability constitutes a condition which affects learning and intelligence across all areas of life, whereas a learning difficulty constitutes a condition which creates an obstacle to a specific form of learning, but does not affect the overall IQ of an individual.

A learning disability is a global lifelong disability acquired before adulthood (impaired intelligence and social functioning).  A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things throughout their lifetime. A learning disability affects the way a person:

• Understands information and communicates
• Understands new or complex information
• Learns new skills
• Copes Independently

A learning difficulty is used to describe people with specific learning needs:

• Dyslexia
• Dyspraxia
• Delayed speech and language development
• Difficulties in reading and writing
• Dyscalculia – difficulty in numbers
• Emotional Difficulties that may have sufficiently disrupted schooling
• ADHD
• Asperger’s Syndrome and some individuals with autism spectrum disorders
• Brain injury acquired after the age 18