SpLDs: A teacher's guide

What are Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) in education?

Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that affect how children process information, including conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia. They impact 1 in 4 children and can range from mild difficulties manageable in regular classrooms to severe cases requiring specialist support. SpLDs affect specific areas of learning while leaving other cognitive abilities intact.

Do you have students who struggle with various aspects of literacy? Are there children with poor spatial awareness? It might be that they have an undiagnosed specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, ADHD, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia or Dyspraxia.

There are many types of specific learning difficulties, but most of us will experience some form of these challenges throughout our lives. In fact, according to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, 1 in every 4 children has a specific learning disability.

If your students struggle with any type of specific learning difficulty, then you already know how frustrating it can be. But do you know why they struggle? And what can you do to overcome it?

This article will help you understand exactly what specific learning difficulties are, and how your students can address a range of difficulties using more effective study skills.

Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) are a neurodevelopment disorder, that includes various types of learning difficulties. It can be diagnosed in early school-age children. 

The severity of the SpLD falls into one of these three levels:

• Mild: having minor issues in one or two areas that are manageable.
• Moderate: learning difficulties that may need additional support from a specialist teacher with accommodation and support intervention.
• Severe difficulties with learning that affect several academic areas require intensive support with special intervention from the school and outside agencies.

Cognitive skills are the process of the brain's ability to think, learn, and remember the information that the brain receives every day. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses in their cognitive skills, and most people fall into the normal range. When a pupil has difficulty with their cognitive skills, it affects and reflects his/her ability to learn day-to-day life skills. SpLD is not affected by the person's intellectual ability, socio-economic background, or language background. If a pupil has a SpLD, it does not mean that the pupil cannot achieve an educational level. Although it may be challenging for the pupil and require greater effort and creative skills to achieve the maximum academic potential level. The biggest challenge for the teacher and the pupil is to recognise the specific needs and find a suitable intervention to facilitate the learning process.

Teachers and participants need to keep in mind that a child with an SpLD might have weaknesses but may also they may also have strengths. In this article, we discuss the implications of this condition within the realms of a classroom.

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How can teachers support students with SpLD in regular classrooms?

Teachers can support SpLD students by implementing simple adjustments like providing clear visual schedules, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and offering multiple ways to demonstrate learning. Key strategies include using multisensory teaching methods, allowing extra processing time, and creating structured routines that reduce cognitive load. These small changes take minutes to implement but significantly improve learning outcomes for affected students.

Many children struggle to cope in mainstream school settings due to specific learning difficulties. In recent years, the assessment of dyslexia amongst other learning needs has been vastly improved. Despite these advances, primary schools and secondary schools are often left feeling that they need more support. Is my lesson not effective? What should I change? Why is that pupil falling behind? In this article, we are going to explore some of the specific learning difficulties that may cause issues for pupils and teachers in the class setting.

The school Senco is typically the person to whom the education community looks for answers. We will argue that the wider responsibility sits with all teaching staff and there are some simple strategies that we can all take advantage of to meet the needs of this cohort of pupils. We will look at a simple tool for schools called 'Writers Block' that enables children to organise their thoughts.

We will also look at how a primary school can adopt the Universal Thinking Framework to make the curriculum more accessible. Many of the children who need support have a combination of difficulties that need to be addressed. On the surface level, these may look like literacy-related difficulties. Experienced teachers, specialist teachers and ECT staff members can all benefit from embracing classroom strategies that visualise the thinking process.

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What are the warning signs of SpLD in students?

Common warning signs include persistent difficulties with reading despite adequate instruction, poor spatial awareness, trouble following multi-step directions, and inconsistent academic performance. Students may also show strong abilities in some areas while struggling significantly in others, such as being creative problem-solvers but having difficulty with basic spelling. Early indicators often appear when children start formal literacy instruction and struggle more than their peers.

There are many different symptoms of SpLD. But keep in mind that you have to deal with the pupil as an individual person. Not all of these symptoms must be present; it depends on which SpLD type the pupil has. 

• Memory difficulties: difficulties in remembering and recalling instructions and information.
• organisational difficulties: difficulties in following clear directions, lack of awareness.
• Difficulties in writing include difficulty in using vocabulary, ordering words, and creating well-structured sentences.
• Visual Processing Difficulties: difficulty in copying and drawing; difficulty in differentiating between shapes, numbers, letters, etc.
• Difficulties with reading include difficulties connecting letters to sounds, mispronouncing words, and skipping words.
• Auditory Processing Difficulties include mishearing sounds and words, difficulty remembering and following verbal instructions, and difficulty following up with the conversation.
• Time Management Difficulties: easily getting distracted, poor punctuality, missing deadlines, difficulty planning. 
• Sensoryoverload: feeling anxious when being surrounded by overstimulated senses like loud noises or crowded places. 

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What are the different types of Specific Learning Difficulties?

The main types of SpLD include dyslexia (reading and spelling difficulties), dyspraxia (coordination and movement challenges), ADHD (attention and impulse control issues), dyscalculia (mathematical processing problems), and dysgraphia (writing and fine motordifficulties). Each type affects different areas of learning but can occur together in the same student. Understanding these distinctions helps teachers provide targeted support for specific challenges.

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Mind map showing SpLD as central concept connected to five types: dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia" loading="lazy">

1. Dyslexia: difficulties in reading, writing, and spelling, mainly affecting the area of the brain that processes language. 

Symptoms include: slow reading speed, difficulty with organisation skills, poor short-term memory skills, poor handwriting, difficulty with spelling even if it is an easy or common word, and pronunciation difficulties. 

Strategies: avoiding asking the pupil to read in front of the class, allowing the pupil to record the session, allowing extra time for the pupil to read the task; using a variety of learning techniques; giving a clear example when introducing a new vocabulary; allowing pause the points; using clear and simple instructions.

2. Dyspraxia: It is the difficulty with motor coordination skills and difficulty with organising movement that affects the brain area responsible for processing information. 

Symptoms include: poor posture and fatigue (e.g., difficulty standing for long periods of time), poor eye-hand coordination, poor balance skills (e.g., dropping things), difficulties with organisation, poor motor skills, unclear speech, a short attention span, and difficulty with social communication.

Strategies: always recap the previous lesson, provide a to-do list at the beginning of the lesson, introduce the information in a well-structured way, provide visual aids for spoken tasks and instruction, request a 1-1 meeting with the pupil to understand his/her needs, ask the pupil to repeat the given instructions 

3. Attention Deficit Disorder ADD and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it affects the part of the brain that controls attention span.

Symptoms: poor attention skills, poor listening skills, difficulties with talking turns, talking excessively, fidgeting a lot, taking longer time to finish the task.

Strategies: pause and summarise the points, give clear and simple instructions, using different learning channels, allow the child to move the during lesson.

4. Dyscalculia According to some studies, having arithmetic difficulty does not imply poor mathematical reasoning skills; in fact, some students with dyscalculia are mathematically gifted.

Symptoms include: difficulty with time tables and mental arithmetic, difficulty with basic number concepts (e.g., telling time, counting money), poor timing skills, confusion between mathematical signs (e.g., +,-,) While the student may be confident in subjects such as math and geometry that require the use of logic rather than formulas, they may struggle with sequential processing (e.g., addition steps).

Strategies: avoid asking the pupil to solve numeracy problems in front of the class; use manipulative and hands-on activities; provide the pupil with extra time, teach different ways to solve the mathematical operations, provide charts about math facts and timetables; highlight the keywords and numbers in the word problem; give 1:1 instruction during the task and ask the pupil to repeat them. 

5. Dysgraphia: it is a neurological dysfunction that affects the performance of the motor movement skills that are required for handwriting. 

Symptoms: poor spatial planning (e.g., difficulty with writing on the line or leaving finger space), Cramped grip (poor pencil grip), erasing frequently, poor spelling skills (e.g: missing letters),

Strategies: allow the pupil to use different writing tools (e.g: computer), use positive reinforcement and do not criticise their handwriting, provide the pupil with relief activities before writing, provide the pupil with fine motor skills activities (e.g: squeeze ball), and provide the pupil with modified lined paper to help them organise their writing 

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What classroom strategies work best for students with SpLD?

Effective strategies include using visual aids and graphic organisers, providing written instructions alongside verbal ones, and offering alternative assessment methods like oral presentations. Teachers should also implement regular movement breaks, use color-coding systems for organisation, and teach explicit study skills. Creating a predictable classroom environment with clear routines reduces anxiety and helps students focus on learning.

Anyone working within environments that supports children with special educational needsWill know that there is no one size fits all. Our unique individual differe nces that make us human all need different approaches to enable us to overcome the various learning barriers we might face.  The following list will hopefully provide you with some practical ideas for managing classroom practice:

1. Daily routines: providing the pupil with well-structured routines is vital to pupil with learning difficulties. It will enforce the pupil to focus and learn effectively. For example, checklist, giving breaks

2. Simple instruction and explanation: make sure that the instructions are clear and given in a direct way, e.g., put your blue pencil in the bag.

3. Differentiation: using different learning channels and techniques to meet the pupil's needs to provide the information in different ways (e.g., in a small group or individual)

4. Metacognitive strategies: enhance the pupil's ability to understand the way they learn by developing their thinking skills about their own views. As an example, a checklist to organise their daily tasks. Using the strategy of thinking out loud, the teacher read aloud, then paused to discuss their thoughts. Help the pupils to develop their own strategies and processes 

5. Use technology and multi-sensory teaching techniques to simplify the learning process. For example, if the pupil has poor handwriting, allow the pupil to use the computer or iPad to write. Allow the pupil to record the lesson and listen to it later. Using multi-sensory resources by using auditory and visual resources and physical games.

6. Classroom Materials: try to avoid busy classroom decoration. If the pupil has ADHD or sensory overload, they may feel distracted and anxious. Use different colours and fonts for the tasks. If the pupil is solving exercises, highlight the keywords, so they can refer back to them. 

7.  Flexible Scheduling: pupils with learning disabilities will benefit from flexible timetables. Allowing extra time for the activity, allowing breaks in between the lessons, providing brain puzzle games, stress-relieving games.

8. Accessibility: create an inclusive and supportive school environment for pupils with learning difficulties. As an example, ramps for the pupil with a wheelchair, suitable and age-appropriate toilet rooms, wider corridors, and gentle reminders about basic life skills. The school should be a supportive environment for all learners. 



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What assistive technology helps students with Specific Learning Difficulties?

Helpful technology includes text-to-speech software for students with dyslexia, speech-to-text programs for those with dysgraphia, and digital organisers for ADHD management. Visual timers, calculator apps with large displays for dyscalculia, and mind-mapping software can also support various SpLD needs. Many of these tools are free or built into standard devices, making them accessible for most classrooms.

Whether a student is struggling with dyslexic type difficulties or co-occurring difficulties, offloading the working memory can be a positive step. The following tools enable inclusive teaching across all classrooms regardless of disabilities.

1. Writers Block enables children to think outside of their heads using a playful pedagogy. Friendly strategies like this provide a space for children to organise their thinking.

2. Graphic organisers can be utilised to help students map out their ideas. This type of evidence-based literacy intervention has positive implications for both reading and writing.

3. A child with dyslexia might also benefit from having instructions delivered using the Universal Thinking Framework. This colour-coded taxonomy can be used as a planning, delivery or assessment tool.



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How are Specific Learning Difficulties diagnosed in schools?

SpLD diagnosis typically involves standardised assessments by educational psychologists or specialist teachers, including cognitive ability tests, academic achievement measures, and specific skill assessments. Teachers play a crucial role by documenting observations of learning patterns, collecting work samples, and tracking intervention responses. The process often takes several months and requires collaboration between teachers, parents, and specialists.

The first step to setting the proper intervention for the pupil is through the diagnostic assessment. Here are some assessment tools that are used to diagnose different learning difficulties: 

Intelligence Tests (IQ tests): used to diagnose learning disabilities, including the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WIPPSI), Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). Other cognitive tests are the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test, Differential Abilities Scales (DAS), the Woodcock-Johnson Test of Cognitive Abilities, and the (WISC), and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). Other cognitive tests are the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test, Differential Abilities Scales (DAS), the Woodcock-Johnson Test of Cognitive Abilities, and the Comprehensive Test of Nonverbal Intelligence (CTONI).

Achievement Tests: These are tests that focus on reading, writing, and math skills. Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement (WJ), the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT), the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT), and the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement (KTEA).

Visual-Motor Integration Tests: examining if the brain is linking the visual aids with motor coordination skills. Includes, the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test and the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration.

Language Tests: to determine the pupil's ability to understand and respond to spoken, written, and verbally language questions and clues. This includes the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF), the Goldman Fristoe Test of Articulation, and the Test of Language Development.

each pupil can learn and achieve certain skills in life. The main changeling is to know the path that will lead to the pupil's success. 



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Where can teachers find reliable resources about SpLD?

Reliable resources include the National Center for Learning Disabilities, British Dyslexia Association, and ADHD Foundation websites which offer free teaching guides and research updates. Professional development courses from organisations like the International Dyslexia Association provide evidence-based training. Educational journals such as Learning Disabilities Research & Practice publish current research translated for classroom application.

https://www.helenarkell.org.uk/about-dyslexia/what-is-an-spld.php

https://www.adcet.edu.au/oao/for-academics-and-teachers/what-is-a-specific-learning-disability

https://www.dyslexia.uk.net/specific-learning-difficulties/

https://www.soas.ac.uk/studentadviceandwellbeing/information-for-staff/disabledstudents/learningdifficulties/

https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/dysgraphia-facts

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/specific-learning-disorder/what-is-specific-learning-disorder

https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2017/11/04/supporting-students-with-learning-differences/

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Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly are Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) and how common are they in schools?

Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that affect how children process information, including conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia. They impact 1 in 4 children and affect specific areas of learning while leaving other cognitive abilities intact. SpLD is not related to a child's intellectual ability, socio-economic background, or language background.

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How can I tell if a student has an undiagnosed SpLD in my classroom?

Common warning signs include persistent difficulties with reading despite adequate instruction, poor spatial awareness, trouble following multi-step directions, and inconsistent academic performance. Students may also show strong abilities in some areas while struggling significantly in others, such as being creative problem-solvers but having difficulty with basic spelling. Look for children who struggle more than their peers when formal literacy instruction begins.

‍

What practical classroom strategies can I implement immediately to support students with SpLD?

Teachers can implement simple adjustments like providing clear visual schedules, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and offering multiple ways to demonstrate learning. Key strategies include using multisensory teaching methods, allowing extra processing time, and creating structured routines that reduce cognitive load. These small changes take minutes to implement but significantly improve learning out comes for affected students.

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What are the different types of SpLD and how do they affect learning?

The main types include dyslexia (reading and spelling difficulties), dyspraxia (coordination and movement challenges), ADHD (attention and impulse control issues), dyscalculia (mathematical processing problems), and dysgraphia (writing and fine motor difficulties). Each type affects different areas of learning but can occur together in the same student. Understanding these distinctions helps teachers provide targeted support for specific challenges.

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Do I need to wait for a formal diagnosis before supporting a student I suspect has SpLD?

No, recognising SpLD symptoms matters more than waiting for a formal diagnosis, and simple strategies can work immediately. The responsibility for supporting these students sits with all teaching staff, not just the SENCO. You can begin implementing classroom adjustments and multisensory teaching methods as soon as you notice warning signs.

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How severe can SpLD be and what levels of support might students need?

SpLD severity falls into three levels: mild (minor issues in one or two areas that are manageable in regular classrooms), moderate (may need additional support from specialist teachers), and severe (affecting several academic areas requiring intensive support from school and outside agencies). The biggest challenge is recognising specific needs and finding suitable interventions to facilitate the learning process.

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Can students with SpLD still achieve academic success, and do they have any strengths?

Yes, having SpLD does not mean a student cannot achieve educational success, though it may require greater effort and creative teaching approaches to reach their maximum academic potential. Students with SpLD often have strengths and may excel in unexpected areas, so recognise both their weaknesses and abilities. The key is harnessing these hidden strengths in the classroom while providing support for their difficulties.

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Further Reading: Key Research Papers

These peer-reviewed studies provide deeper insights into splds: a teacher's guide and its application in educational settings.

The Prevalence of Specific Learning Difficulties in Higher Education: A Study of UK Universities Across 12 Academic Years 4 citations

Brunswick et al. (2024)

This study analysed 12 years of data from UK universities to determine how common specific learning difficulties are among first-year students, examining patterns across different demographic groups. Teachers will find this research valuable for understanding the scale and diversity of SpLD prevalence in educational settings, helping them recognise that these difficulties affect a significant portion of their student population across all backgrounds.

Augmented reality technology in science educationfor students with specific learning difficulties: its effect on students’ learning and views 72 citations

Turan et al. (2021)

This research investigated how augmented reality technology can be used to teach science to students with specific learning difficulties, measuring both learning outcomes and student attitudes toward the technology. The findings are directly relevant to teachers as they demonstrate practical ways to use engaging technology to support students with SpLDs who may struggle with traditional teaching methods and need additional support to stay focused.

From Assistive Technologies to Metaverse, Technologies in Inclusive Higher Education for Students With Specific Learning Difficulties: A Review 50 citations

Yenduri et al. (2023)

This comprehensive review examines various assistive technologies available for supporting students with specific learning difficulties in higher education, ranging from traditional tools to emerging metaverse applications. Teachers will benefit from this overview as it provides a roadmap of technological solutions they can implement to make their classrooms more accessible and effective for students with SpLDs.

A qualitative case study exploring blended learning experiences of students with specific learning difficulties 12 citations (Author, Year) provides valuable insights into how these learners navigate combined online and face-to-face educational environments within British higher education, revealing both challenges and adaptive strategies that inform inclusive pedagogical practices.

Podsiadlik et al. (2021)

This qualitative study explored how students with specific learning difficulties experience blended learning environments that combine online and face-to-face instruction in higher education. The research provides teachers with valuable insights into the unique challenges and benefits that blended learning presents for SpLD students, helping educators improve their mixed delivery approaches.

Teachers' beliefs in inclusive education and the attributional responses toward students with and without specific learning difficulties. View study ↗21 citations

Woodcock et al. (2020)

This study examined how teachers' beliefs about inclusive education influence their responses and expectations toward students with and without specific learning difficulties. The research is essential reading for teachers as it highlights how their attitudes and attributions directly impact the success of inclusive practices and student outcomes in the classroom.