2 LEARN BEYOND LIMITS
What are Learning Difficulties?
Diagnosed Difficulties (SPLDs)
Commissioning a formal report to diagnose a possible learning difficulty/disorder is a personal decision, and beneficial for those families who want to specifically name their child's difficulties.; for suspected learning difficulties, along with observations of behaviour, a range of standardised tests would be administered during an assessment by a qualified assessor who holds acurrent Assessment Practising Certificate. The data gathered would provide a profile of difficulties uncovered (typically Dyslexia).
In the past, some educational settings insisted on a diagnosis of Dyslexia in order to consider necessary adjustments to the classroom provision, or to consider further support for exams; thankfully this is not a requirement under the current Joint Council for Qualifications requirements for GCSEs/GCEs. The SENCo team will provide evidence for a history of difficulties supported by specific assessments which meet the current Joint Council for Qualifications eligibility criteria.
For difficulties such as Dyspraxia, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a medical diagnosis would be required (not a letter from a GP) which may lead to appropriate physiotherapy or medication; these medical investigations are typically triggered once a family has raised concerns with their doctor.
The following information summarises some Specific Learning Difficulties that can affect learning progress.
This list is not exhaustive. Typically these disorders do not occur in isolation, and there is a degree of overlap or ‘comorbidity’.