Five myths around learning disabilities

What exactly is a learning disability? Often confused with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, ADHD or dyspraxia, read on as we smash common myths and separate fact from fiction in support of Learning Disability Week 2023.
 

Myth 1: “Learning disabilities and learning difficulties are the same!”

Fact: A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty as a learning difficulty does not affect general intellect.

The term learning disability can often be confused with learning difficulties such as dyslexia or ADHD. Mencap describes dyslexia as a “learning difficulty” because, unlike learning disability, it does not affect intellect.

However, a lot of people with a learning disability may have more than one diagnosis and have a set of conditions that are unique to them. This may include associated conditions such as Downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and challenging behaviour. Therefore, some individuals with a learning difficulty may also have a learning disability too.

Myth 2: “Dyslexia is a learning disability”

Fact: This is one of the most believed myths. According to the NHS, dyslexia is a common learning difficulty, (not a learning disability) that mostly affects reading, writing, and spelling.

Different aspects of a person's co-ordination, organisation, and memory are also impacted by dyslexia. However, unlike a learning disability, intelligence isn’t affected.

Myth 3: “Learning disabilities affect more boys than girls”

Fact: On the surface many people believe that learning disabilities are more common among school aged boys than girls. It seems that way because, in fact, more boys than girls are formally identified as having learning disabilities.

Recent research suggests that girls often present with different traits which result in them being overlooked, especially with autism. Girls with autism often diverge from the classic model of diagnosis. They are more adept at masking or camouflaging their autistic traits, are capable of mimicking social communications/interactions and display compliant behaviours in school. More research is needed in diagnosis girls as this currently represents a gap in understanding.

Another factor to consider is behaviour; children with learning disabilities are more likely to display challenging behaviour and we know that boys in general tend to draw attention that is more negative in schools which may result in boys being more visible.

Myth 4: “Learning difficulties are only a problem at school”

Fact: While a learning disability can certainly make school more difficult, influence extends beyond the classroom and into adulthood and the workplace. This is why early support is so crucial. A learning disability translates into difficulty with everyday activities – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life. .
 

Myth 5: “All students with learning disabilities have trouble with reading”

Fact: Learning disabilities can be very complex to define. As with learning disability, learning difficulties can also exist on a scale. A person might have a mild learning difficulty or a severe learning difficulty. The same is true of learning disabilities.  Some students with learning disabilities experience difficulty with reading, while others may read well but perform less well because of deficits in physical coordination (dyspraxia), problems with math (dyscalculia) or difficulty with handwriting (dysgraphia) and more.

We hope you enjoyed our blog on five myths around Learning Disability. Are there any common myths we have missed, or that should have made this list? Let us know and leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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