Specific learning difficulties and disabilities

[Speicher]

I think some people on this forum may be able to help with an explanation of the difference.

I have worked with people who have severe or mild learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. I had thought that the terminology was Specific Learning difficulties OR (people with) Learning disabilities. Has the word "specific" been "dropped" recently?

Specific learning difficulties - does that include dylexsia, and are there other similar specifics. Can you suggest a site that would explain the differences accurately and preferably in a straight forward way, assuming no prior knowledge of teaching?

If you think you can help, I would be grateful, thank you.

 

[colly]

My daughter was diagnosed with SpLD (specific learning difficulties) many years ago.
The context it was used in was just a method to avoid using the term 'dyslexic'. I am sure it will cover many types of difficulties other than dyslexia.

I am not a teacher, although my wife is, but I am sure there will be someone on here who can give you chapter and verse and a more precise explanation.

It seems to me to be an odd phrase.........after all 'specific' .........suggests something definite, something that has been identified.
That being the case why not just BE specific and spell it out.

'Your child has..............whatever'

It is a bit like someone who is totally blind being described as having 'visual impairment'.
It isn't an untrue statement but neither is it very informative.

Of course once you identify a problem it is the duty of the authority to put in place a program to assist. That involves often a good deal of expense and a strain on budgets.

From my families experience it is used as a smoke screen, a kind of 'technobabble', to pacify irritating, concerned parents and with luck to fob them off. It suggests that ...'we have it all in hand'.
Press a bit harder and the 'specific' problem may or may not be revealed.
Fortunately my wife dug her heels in did some research and fought tooth and nail for our daughters problems to be recognised for what they were. After a long battle to obtain a statement she was given the correct teaching that had her progressing in leaps and bounds. She attended college and obtained a diploma at something that equates roughly to 'A' level standard.

All thanks to her own determination and the hard work of the specialist teachers she had. Not bad for someone who in the words of the Authority's Ed Psyc 'might one day be able to stack shelves'

Sorry I'm sure you didn't want to hear all that but you know what it's like when something gets under your skin.

 

[Speicher]

What you have just said is an example of the confusion that exists. I am thinking of applying for a post as a "Student Support Assistant" at a local college. The Job Spec asks for experience of working with "people with learning difficulties and disabilities". I am a bit confused as to whether they mean people with specific learning difficulties, people with learning disabilities or people with physical disabilities.

As I have experience working with people with varying degrees and types of disabilities, I would think it requires similar skills to those required when supporting people with Specific Difficulties. The required attributes of applicants includes "Supportive, positive and non-judgemental attiitudes". I would obviously add patience, an empathic nature and flexibility to that.

The post I am applying for would be to support individuals. Some might need support for a few weeks, and some for longer, depending on their abilities. The College offers courses of a practical nature such as Horticulture, Animal Care, Sport and numerous others.

I am trying to arrange an informal visit to the Learning Support Unit well in advance of an Interview, if I am offered one. Thank you for your help.

 

[Noodley]

I am trying to arrange an informal visit to the Learning Support Unit well in advance of an Interview, if I am offered one. Thank you for your help.

...try to arrange a visit in advance of submitting the application, then you know where to pitch the application, therefore increasing the chances of interview.

 

[Speicher]

I tried to do that earlier this week. Someone at the College is trying to arrange it on my behalf, and should have contacted me today, but did not. The application needs to be in the post by Tuesday. Although the College I am applying to, is local, their Personnel Department is in Leamington. I could get to Leamington on Wednesday, but that is cutting it a bit fine IMO.

I was told that they usually do the informal visit on the same day as the Interview. I would prefer it to be a few days before, otherwise the Interview could be extremely tricky.

 

[bonj2]

The correct language used to discuss learning difficulties is very difficult to learn.

 

[Noodley]

I tried to do that earlier this week. Someone at the College is trying to arrange it on my behalf, and should have contacted me today, but did not. The application needs to be in the post by Tuesday. Although the College I am applying to, is local, their Personnel Department is in Leamington. I could get to Leamington on Wednesday, but that is cutting it a bit fine IMO.

I was told that they usually do the informal visit on the same day as the Interview. I would prefer it to be a few days before, otherwise the Interview could be extremely tricky.

...is there not a 'point of contact' named? Sounds as if it's a bit impersonal, and you might be dealing with people trying to block you...or 'admin' as they are most commonly known

 

[surfgurl]

I work in a school and some of the kids have dyslexia. They nearly all have a diagnosis of SpLD (dyslexia) some have additional diagnoses which is again specified. I believe you have to have an IQ that is average or above average to be diagnosed with a SpLD.
Other acronyms include SLD - severe learning difficulties, PMLD - profound and multiple learning difficulties and MLD - moderate learning difficulties.
The job you are looking at sounds similar to positions that come up at our local colleges. They have support bases for kids with learning difficulties such as Downs Syndrome. They do key skills courses which includes elements of learning to live independently as well as courses of a vocational nature, such as catering or learning to work in a shop. All the courses are tailored to the kids individual needs.
There is probably something on the DFES website which explains defintions currently used. The information I have given is from my notes on my NVQ level 3 I did two years ago.

 

[simoncc]

The correct language used to discuss learning difficulties is very difficult to learn.

True. It wouldn't be though if it didn't keep changing all the time for no good reason. Special needs education is a booming industry and many of its practitioners cover up a lack of any really effective methodology by constantly dreaming up new or changing existing jargon.

 

[Speicher]

...is there not a 'point of contact' named? Sounds as if it's a bit impersonal, and you might be dealing with people trying to block you...or 'admin' as they are most commonly known

The College is spread over three sites in Warwick, Leamington Spa, and the one near me. I tried to contact the person whose name I was given in connection with this application, but she works across all three sites, and is difficult to contact. So then I found the details for the Learning Support Manager at the relevant campus, and she was very helpful and able to answer a few questions. She said that she would need to ask her Line Manager if it was ok for me to have an informal visit soon, rather than wait for the interview. I do not feel I want to put any pressure on her.

I have support people with severe and multiple learning difficulties as well as those with moderate and mild difficulties. If the remaining one is dyslexia and/or its equivalent with numeracy, I am sure my broader skills would give me a good basis, in offering the necessary support.

I think I will explain my current skills on the application form, and express a willingness to learn. i have also been a part-time student at another college recently, which should demonstrate that I am familiar with a "learning environment/lifelong learning" etc.

Special thanks to Surfgurl, for pointing out a good website.

I think the person who does the job adverts may have got confused. There is another error in the advert that I spotted, which may have put off a lot of people. Namely that they are looking for people with qualifications in this sort of support, whereas the Learning Support Manager confirmed that no such qualifications exist in her opinion. There are ones for Teaching Assistant, etc but not Support Assistant.

 

[colly]

I believe you have to have an IQ that is average or above average to be diagnosed with a SpLD.

I think some Ed Psycs and teachers believe this to be true. I think this is wrong with regards to dyslexia. (or any other condition)
A child who is otherwise above average will stand out because their reading might be well behind.
That doesn't mean to say that if a child is below average they can't be dyslexic. It will be more difficult to identify and consequently may go un-diagnosed.

 

[Speicher]

Another question on this topic - the Job description mentions "DDA".
I should know this, but do not recognise the abbreviation.

This reminds me of the time, I had to call on Paramedics when a resident with learning disabilities, had difficulty breathing. After dealing with the emergency, one Paramedic turned to me and said something like "What is her diagnosis".

My first thought was something like, "you tell me, that's what you are here for", but then realised he meant "What is the diagnosis of her disability". I tried to be tactful when I explained, that, to me, she was Sarah, (not her real name for the purposes of this thread) rather someone with a particular disability or illness. I added that full details of her medical history were on file, but she was reasonably independant, and usually quite fit.

I expect he was asking a question he normally asked people, but it surprised me to be asked in such a clinical way in front of the patient, as if she was not there.

On re-reading the Job Description again, again, it appears to describe students or individuals that I have experience in supporting. For good measure I have mentionned that I have been a student recently and am also learning Technologies relating to the Environment in my current voluntary work. (Photo-voltaic energy, ground heat source waste pumps, building using straw bales, bicycle powered radios, etc).

 

[marinyork]

DDA is an official shortened version of an act of parliament. Such laws have official shortened forms for most other acts. Disability Discrimination Act (1995, 2005). available on opsi etc.

 

[Speicher]

Thank you Marinyork. I thought it was something like that, but was not sure.

In my defence, when I starting doing this work, the essential skills were not necessarily ones that you could take qualifications in. Skills like patience, empathy, patience, stamina, common sense, etc.