Cognition and learning
Children and young people with learning difficulties will learn at a slower pace than other children.
They may find it harder than their peers to develop basic literacy and numeracy skills and understand concepts even with appropriate differentiation and support.
They might also have other difficulties such as:
- speech and language delay
- low self-esteem
- low levels of concentration
- undeveloped social skills
Children and young people with a learning difficulty are at an increased risk of developing a mental health problem. They may need additional support with their social development, self-esteem and emotional well-being.
Children and young people with severe learning difficulties (SLD) have significant intellectual or cognitive impairments and are likely to need support in all areas of the curriculum and support to be independent.
They may have difficulties with:
- mobility and co-ordination
- communication and perception
- developing self-help skills
- being independent
Children and young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) have severe and complex learning difficulties as well as other difficulties such as a physical disability or a sensory impairment. They may need sensory stimulation and the curriculum broken down into very small steps. They will need high levels of adult support for their educational needs and personal care.
A child or young person with a Specific learning difficulty (SpLD) may have difficulty with one or more aspects of learning.
Specific learning difficulties (SpLD) can affect a child or young person's ability to learn and do well at school.
SpLD include a range of conditions such as:
- dyslexia (difficulty with reading and spelling)
- dyscalculia (difficulty with maths)
- dyspraxia (difficulty with co-ordination)
- dysgraphia (difficulty with writing)
Children who have needs in more than one of these areas are considered to have 'complex needs'. A child may also be described as having 'mild' or 'severe' learning difficulties depending on the degree of their needs and the impact these needs have on their lives.
Visit the Stockton Information Directory for services related to cognition and learning
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