Specific learning disabilities: information for
parents, carers and anyone who works with young people
About this leaflet
This is one in a series of Leaflets for parents, teachers and
young people entitled Mental Health and Growing Up. The
aims of these Leaflets are to 
provide practical, up-to-date information about mental
health problems (emotional, behavioural and psychiatric disorders)
that can affect children and young people. This leaflet explores
what a specific learning difficulty is, and gives advice on where
and how to get help for young people affected by a specific
learning difficulty and their families.
What is a specific learning difficulty?
A child with a specific learning difficulty is as able as any
other child, except in one or two areas of their learning. For
instance, they may find it difficult to recognise letters, or to
cope with numbers or reading.
There are many different types of specific learning difficulty,
but the best known is probably dyslexia. In dyslexia, the child has
difficulty with spelling and reading. It may be difficult for
parents and teachers to realise that a child has this sort of
problem, especially if their development has progressed without
concern in the early years.
Often, the child will appear to understand, have good ideas, and
join in storytelling and other activities, as well as other
children, and better than some. Sometimes it can take years for
adults to realise that a child has a specific difficulty.
What effect does it have?
Specific difficulties can make lessons challenging for a
child.
- They may struggle keeping up with classmates, and may come to
see themselves as stupid, or no good.
- They may find it difficult to concentrate on lessons and,
because they may not be able to follow them properly, they may
complain of lessons being `boring'.
- The child may search for other ways to pass the time and to
succeed.
- They may try to avoid doing schoolwork because they find it
impossible to do it well.
Doing badly in school can undermine their self-confidence. This
can make it harder for the child to get along with other children
and to keep friends.
Children with specific reading difficulties
often become angry and frustrated, so behavioural problems are
common. If they don't get suitable help, the problems may get
worse. Older children may become disillusioned, fail exams or get
into serious trouble - both at school and outside.
A specific learning difficulty is not a mental
illness. However, children with a specific learning difficulty are
more likely to develop mental health problems, for example anxiety, or have additional
developmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders and
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD), than other children.
What can help?
- Parents can discuss their concerns with the teacher or
Special Educational Needs Coordinating Officer
(SENCO).
- The Education Act 1990 means that all education authorities
must identify which children have special educational needs and
make sure that they get the additional help that they require.
Schools have the Special Educational Needs `Code of Practice',
drawn up by the Department of Children, Schools and Families, to
help them to recognise and help children with this type of problem.
The Department has also produced a helpful Guide for Parents (see
sources of further information at the end of this leaflet).
- If there are concerns, the school may offer extra help using
different ways of teaching to suit the child’s specific needs. If
this is not enough, then they can offer interventions that are
additional or different from those provided as part of the schools
usual curriculum and strategies (School Action and School Action
Plus).
- If a child continues to make little or no progress, despite
these interventions, a statutory assessment of the child may be
triggered. This will take into account the views of parents,
as well as professionals involved such as an educational
psychologist. Once the assessment has taken place, the educational
department may prepare a Statement of Special Educational
Needs, which will describe what type of additional help
the child will benefit from.
- If the child's learning problem has resulted in possible
emotional or behaviour problems, due to frustration or loss of
self-confidence, more specialised help may be needed. The child's
school or GP will also be able to help. If necessary, the GP
can refer the child to the local child and adolescent mental health
service (CAMHS) who will be able to offer help and
support.
Recommended reading
References
- Rutter, M. & Taylor, E. (eds) (2008) 'Rutter’s Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry' (5th edn). London: Blackwell
Publishing.
- Gillberg, C. Harrington, R. & Steinhausen, H-C. (eds)
(2006) ‘A Clinician’s handbook of child and adolescent psychiatry’
(1.st edn) University Press Cambridge.
Sources of further information
- Advisory Centre for
Education. A national charity that provides
advice and information to parents and carers on a wide range of
school based issues including exclusion, admissions, special
education needs, bullying and attendance.
- Department of Children, Schools and
Families.Information for parents and carers - Special
Educational Needs, a helpful guide to the process and some useful
addresses.
- British
Dyslexia Association. Information and advice on
dyslexia for dyslexic people and those who support them.
- IPSEA
(Independent Panel for Special Educational Advice) gives
information and second opinions for special educational needs.
- Young
Minds Parents Helpline for any adult concerned about
the emotions and behaviour of a child or young person.
Series editor: Dr Mona Freeman
Editorial Board: Child and Family Public
Education Editorial Board.
Revised: December 2009; next due for review: December
2011.
© [2004] Royal College of
Psychiatrists. This leaflet may be downloaded, printed out,
photocopied and distributed free of charge as long as the Royal
College of Psychiatrists is properly credited and no profit is
gained from its use. Permission to reproduce it in any other way
must be obtained from the Head
of Publications. The College does not allow reposting of its
leaflets on other sites, but allows them to be linked to
directly.
Please note that we are unable to offer advice on individual cases. Please see our FAQ for advice on getting help.
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