The main difference between learning disability and learning difficulty is their effect. A learning disability usually refers to a condition that has a dominating influence on a person’s capacity to learn and his or her intelligence across each and every area of life. In contrast, a learning difficulty is a condition that hinders a specific form of learning. However, it is a condition that has no influence over the overall intelligence of an individual.
When focusing on the learning problems in any country, learning disability and learning difficulty are the two frameworks that are most frequently discussed by educators. But, these two frameworks share some distinct features.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Learning Disability
– Definition, Features
2. What is Learning Difficulty
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities – Learning Disability and Learning Difficulty
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Learning Disability and Learning Difficulty
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Learning Disability, Learning Difficulty
What is Learning Disability
The term “learning disability” involves a lifelong condition where an individual is unable to respond willingly to any kind of educational intervention. As defined by Disability Standards for Education 2005 and Disability Discrimination Act 1992, a learning disability is a “disorder or malfunction that results in a person learning differently from a person without a disorder or malfunction.”
Therefore, learners with learning disabilities involve a specific group with learning difficulties. They are usually reluctant in their response to appropriate involvement. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders recognizes learning disabilities as ‘specific learning disorders’ accompanied by other neurodevelopmental disorders. The Dyslexia–Speld Foundation states that these learning disabilities are difficult to identify if the learner possesses further sensory, psychological, or neurological disorders.
In general, learners with learning disabilities demonstrate average or above-average IQ levels. In such cases, there is often a gap between a learner’s potential achievement and his real achievement at school. Moreover, learning disabilities are usually neurologically based and life-long. The most commonly found learning disabilities include auditory processing disorder, dysgraphia, and developmental language disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, as well as dyscalculia.
What is Learning Difficulty
Learning difficulty is a condition where factors other than learning disabilities or learning differences hinder a learner’s capacity to achieve the same academic level as their peers. These factors can include ineffective instruction, absenteeism, socio-economic status, and inadequate exposure to necessary curricula, as well as family trauma.
The above-mentioned external factors can directly affect a learner’s potential effectiveness in following studies and achieving academic expectations. Therefore, these circumstances make it difficult for students to achieve the expected academic targets appropriate for their age or years of studying.
Similarities Between Learning Disability and Learning Difficulty
- Both, the learning disability and learning difficulty refer to two conditions where the learner is unable to meet the expected academic performance for their age.
- Moreover, both these conditions involve some external or internal factors that challenge the student’s learning ability.
Difference Between Learning Disability and Learning Difficulty
Definition
A learning disability is a condition that has a dominating influence on a person’s capacity for learning and intelligence across each and every area of life. In contrast, a learning difficulty is a condition that hinders a specific form of learning, and it has no influence over the overall intelligence of an individual.
Effect on the Learning Ability
When compared to learning difficulty, a learning disability is a condition that has a life-long effect on a person’s overall intelligence and capacity to learn.
Conclusion
The main difference between learning disability and learning difficulty is that learning disability is a life-long condition that has the power to have a serious negative effect on a person’s overall intelligence and learning ability while learning difficulty is a condition where factors apart from learning disabilities or learning differences hinder a learner’s capacity to achieve the same academic level as their peers.
Reference:
1. “What Is a Learning Disability?” Mencap, 18 Jan. 2021.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Learning Disability” (CC BY 2.0) Patientcaretechniciansalary.net.
2. “Books-woman-girl-youthful-to-study” (CC0) via Pixabay
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