Specific Learning Disorders

Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia

Students with a specific learning disorder have significant difficulty in one or more academic areas while coping well, or even excelling, in other areas of academic, sporting or artistic achievement. In other parts of the world specific learning disorders are also called Learning Disabilities, Learning Disorders or Academic Skill Disorders. In effect each describes the same thing, although the diagnostic criteria may differ slightly. Under Commonwealth and State Law in Australia, a specific learning disorder is generally recognised as resulting in the child (or adult) “learning differently”.

Specific learning disorders may occur in almost any area of learning. The common theme is unexpected under-achievement in an area of academic skill which is generally unmatched in other areas. The nature of all specific learning disorders is that the problem is severe, persistent, occurs despite appropriate educational opportunities, and is in contrast to other areas of strength in academic achievement or cognitive development.

The most common specific learning disorder is dyslexia, which is a persistent difficulty in the area of reading and spelling.Other specific learnign disorders include dysgraphia and dyscalclia


*Information sourced from The Dyslexia - SPELD Foundation


Resources

  • General articles on reading difficulties and dyslexia

  • Articles on Spelling Strategies

  • General S.L.D. Information

  • Numeracy Information

  • Reading Information

  • Dyslexia Specific Information

  • Accommodation

  • Adolescents With Dyslexia

  • Assessment of Dyslexia

  • Dyslexia and the Brain

  • Dyslexia Basics

  • Dyslexia-Anxiety Connection

  • Effective Reading Instruction for Students with Dyslexia

  • Helpful Terminology

  • Understanding Dysgraphia


  • Dyslexia

  • Dysgraphia

  • Dyscalculia

  • Dyslexia

  • Dysgraphia

  • Dyscalculia

  • What are they?

  • How can they be identified?

  • What support is available?

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia affects up to 1 in 5 people, but the experience of dyslexia isn't always the same. This difficulty in processing language exists along a spectrum. Kelli Sandman-Hurley urges us to think again about dyslexic brain function and to celebrate the neurodiversity of the human brain.

Rookie Report: Dyslexia by Eliza

Dyslexia makes it hard to recognise the squiggly lines on a page that we know as words. It can make it harder to read, to spell and even do maths! Rookie Reporter Eliza has put together a story to help us understand it.

Why do some students struggle

There are many factors that affect learning. An underlying learning disorder is one of those factors.

Helping Students with Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disability that can have a big impact on how kids learn. We find out why it's important to get those who have it help early, and why learning in a different way can help them succeed.

Useful Links