Key Difference: The main difference between Learning Disability and Learning Difficulty is that a learning disability is an umbrella term that includes conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD.
A learning difficulty, on the other hand, can be any difficulty a person has with learning, including difficulties with reading, writing, maths, or organization.
So, a person may have a learning difficulty but not have a learning disability.
This is because a learning disability is a recognized condition that has been diagnosed by a specialist.
What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to learn.
It can impact any area of learning, including reading, writing, math, and speaking.
A person with a learning disability may have difficulty understanding new information, retaining information, or completing tasks.
It is important to note that a person with a learning disability is not necessarily unintelligent.
Many people with learning disabilities are very smart and can be successful in life if they receive appropriate support.
What does learning difficulty mean?
A learning difficulty is a problem that affects a person’s ability to learn from experience and remember information.
It can make it hard to do things like reading, writing, and counting.
A person with a learning difficulty may have trouble understanding new concepts or solving problems.
It can also be hard to follow instructions and complete tasks.
However, people with learning difficulties can often learn in different ways and may have other strengths.
It’s important to remember that everyone learns in different ways and there is no one “right” way to learn.
Learning Disability vs Learning Difficulty
One of the major differences between a learning disability and a learning difficulty is that a learning disability is an organic disorder.
This means that there is something physically wrong with the person’s brain that affects their ability to learn.
A learning difficulty, on the other hand, does not have anything physically wrong with the person’s brain.
Instead, it is more of a psychological issue that affects the person’s ability to learn.
So, a learning difficulty is not considered to be a disability.
Main Differences
Key differences between learning disability and learning difficulty include –
Meaning
The biggest difference between a learning disability and a learning difficulty is that a learning disability is a neurological disorder, while a learning difficulty is not.
This means that a person with a learning disability has trouble processing information due to an issue with their brain, while someone with a learning difficulty may simply learn in a different way or have problems remembering information.
Impact
A learning disability will always impact a person’s ability to learn, while a learning difficulty may or may not have an impact.
For example, a person with dyslexia will have trouble reading due to their disability, while someone who is simply a slow reader may not have any trouble learning as long as they receive appropriate assistance.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of a learning disability is typically made by a specialist, such as a psychologist or a neurologist, while a diagnosis of learning difficulty is typically made by a regular doctor or teacher.
Types
There are many different types of learning disabilities, while there are only a few types of learning difficulties.
This is because learning disabilities are caused by neurological issues, while learning difficulties can be caused by a variety of things, such as poor vision or hearing, ADHD, or anxiety.
For example, dyslexia is a type of learning disability that affects a person’s ability to read, while difficulty with math is a common type of learning difficulty.
Similarities
Despite the differences between learning disabilities and learning difficulties, there are some similarities.
Both can impact a person’s ability to learn and remember information.
Additionally, both can be diagnosed by doctors or teachers.
Finally, both can be treated with appropriate assistance.
So, while there are some key differences, the two concepts are closely related.
However, the words should not be used interchangeably as they have different meanings.