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Learning difficulties
Learning Difficulties
An overview of learning difficulties and specific learning disorders
Dyslexia
A specific learning disability in reading is commonly called dyslexia.
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia can appear as difficulties with spelling and/or trouble putting thoughts on paper.
Dyscalculia
A learning disorder related to mathematics is commonly referred to as Dyscalculia
Other disorders that can affect learning
Information regarding other conditions that can affect learning
Families
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When should a child be assessed?
Information on the assessment and diagnosis of learning disorders
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Information on the assessment and diagnosis of learning disorders
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An overview of learning difficulties in adults and support options
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Information on how learning disorders can affect adults in the workplace and when undertaking further education
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Information on the assessment and diagnosis of learning disorders
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Dyslexia - SPELD Foundation
Literacy & Clinical Services
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Learning difficulties
Learning Difficulties
Dyslexia
Dysgraphia
Dyscalculia
Other disorders that can affect learning
Families
Families
When should a child be assessed?
What is involved in an assessment?
How can families support children?
Where can I learn more about learning disorders?
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Learning difficulties
What is Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia
What is Dysgraphia?
How is Dysgraphia Identified?
Supporting People with Dysgraphia
Learning difficulties
In this section
Learning difficulties overview
Dyslexia
What is Dyslexia?
How is Dyslexia Identified?
Supporting People with Dyslexia
Dysgraphia
What is Dysgraphia?
How is Dysgraphia Identified?
Supporting People with Dysgraphia
Dyscalculia
What is Dyscalculia?
How is Dyscalculia Identified?
Supporting People with Dyscalculia
Other disorders that can affect learning
Developmental Language Disorder
Developmental Coordination Disorder
Attention Disorders
This specific learning disorder is focused on difficulties producing written language.
In the past, the term 'dysgraphia' was used to refer to both motor coordination difficulties affecting writing, as well as persistent difficulty expressing thoughts in writing due to weaknesses in literacy and/or language conventions (such as spelling, grammar and punctuation). To avoid any confusion between the two, a distinction has more recently been made with a specific learning disorder in written expression (Dysgraphia) referring to (a) the language-based difficulties involved in constructing meaningful and effectively structured expressive writing and (b) ongoing weaknesses in spelling and punctuation that affect a student's capacity to express their ideas with clarity. Persistent handwriting difficulties associated with an impairment in motor coordination are now commonly understood to be a particular aspect of Developmental Coordination Disorder (previously known as Dyspraxia). Students with Dysgraphia have extreme difficulty getting their thoughts both in order and then down on paper. Many students with Dysgraphia also have Dyslexia.
Dysgraphia can appear as difficulties with spelling and/or trouble putting thoughts on paper. Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder that generally appears when children are first learning to write. Experts are not sure what causes it, but early treatment can help prevent or reduce problems.
Dysgraphia is characterised by the person having difficulty converting the sounds of language into written form (phonemes into graphemes), or knowing which alternate spelling to use for each sound. A person with dysgraphia may write their letters in reverse, have trouble recalling how letters are formed, or when to use lower or upper case letters. A person with dysgraphia may also struggle to form written sentences with correct grammar and punctuation, with common problems including ommitting words, words ordered incorrectly, incorrect verb and pronoun usage and word ending errors. People with dysgraphia may speak more easily and fluently than they write.
More information
Supporting your child
Learn more about how to support your child at home
Support for Adults with Dysgraphia
Learn more about learning difficulties in adults and what support options are available
Supporting Student Learning
Learn more about how teachers and tutors can support students with learning difficulties
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