Learning Difficulties
Skip down to find many of the organisations and charities that work in this field....
ACALCULIA is a specific learning difficulty characterised by the inability to perform the basic mathematical processes of addition, subtraction multiplication and division.
Communication Disability means that children so affected have problems expressing themselves, understanding others, building relationships and learning. These problems might be the result of damage to the developing brain either before or after birth, or due to a genetic abnormality. The can also occur in association with another disability, such as a hearing impairment or a physical disability.
DOWN SYNDROME (DOWN'S SYNDROME) is a chromosomal disorder. The condition is also known as TRISOMY 21 SYNDROME. Characterised by flattened facial features and short stature, the presence of an extra 21st chromosome causes varying degrees of physical and mental impairment. Affecting one in every 1,000 people, Down Syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder and one of the most common causes of learning difficulties.
DYSCALCULIA resembles dyslexia in that it is a specific learning difficulty and affect’s a person’s ability to deal with numbers. It is not the same condition as acalculia and relates to numerical aspects of life such as telling the time, dealing with money, and measuring things such as temperature and speed.
DYSLEXIA is a specific learning difficulty which affects the ability to read, write and spell. It is a persistent condition that can occur despite normal intelligence and teaching. Dyslexia is quite prevalent (about ten per cent of the population of the UK is estimated to have some form of dyslexia) and varies from mild to extreme.
DYSPRAXIA is a motor learning disability characterised by a lack of co-ordination. It used to be known as clumsy child syndrome. Children with dyspraxia have no clinical neurological abnormality to explain their condition which can cause them to have problems dealing with everyday tasks and to be inattentive.
FRAGILE X SYNDROME is the most common cause of inherited learning disability (mental handicap). It occurs in boys and girls and is associated with varying degrees of learning difficulty. As it is a genetically inherited condition, when one child in a family is diagnosed with Fragile X, there are enormous implications for the parents, brothers and sisters of that child and indeed for many other relatives. Both men and women can be carriers of the syndrome and it occurs in all populations and ethnic groups.
Many children and adults show autistic-like features - a dislike of eye contact, difficulty in relating to other people, anxiety in social situations often leading to tantrums, insistence on familiar routines and hand flapping or hand biting. A minority of individuals with Fragile X have autism.
The condition is transmitted on the X chromosome and is so called because of the abnormal appearance of the affected X chromosome when studied under a microscope.
RARE CHROMOSOME ABNORMALITY SYNDROMES are disorders that arise from faults in the structure or arrangement of the chromosomes. They include the syndromes CRI du CHAT, EDWARDS, DE GROUCHY, PATAU, WOLF-HIRSCHHORN and several others which are named by reference to the number of the affected chromosome (for example, 17p-).
SPECIFIC LEARNING DIFFICULTY is a problem with a particular aspect of learning in a person who otherwise does well. Acalculia, dyscalculia and dyslexia (see above) are specific learning difficulties.
WILLIAMS SYNDROME is a rare genetic condition which can give rise to physical problems and learning difficulties. Although they often experience delays in development, children with Williams syndrome typically display good language and social skills as they grow older.
The table shown below highlights many of the relevant organisations or charities that work in the Learning Difficulties field.
If the particular organisation or charity that you're looking for is not shown here, but you feel that it would be helpful if it was, then please do let us know.
| ARCOS | British Dyslexia Association | BILD | Down Syndrome Educational Trust |
| Down's Heart Group | Down's Syndrome Association | ||
| Equals | I CAN |
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- The Association for Rehabilitation of Communication and Oral Skills (ARCOS) exists to promote and provide information, advice and support for people with communication and/or swallowing problems.
ARCOS works to increase public awareness and understanding of normal communication, the ways in which it can be disrupted and methods to reduce such disability and handicap. ARCOS provides multi-disciplinary assessment and therapy including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, special educational needs teaching and counselling. This comprehensive approach is not widely or adequately available through the NHS or any other organisation. ARCOS is working towards establishing a unique centre for those with communication problems.
ARCOS is concerned to help children with difficulties in developing communication because of impaired language or problems in learning to read or write as well as those whose communication is disrupted through accident or illness.
Contact:
ARCOS
Whitbourne Lodge
137 Church Street
Malvern
Worcs.
WR14 2AN
Tel: 01684 576795
Fax: 01684 576895
Email: enquiries@arcos.org.uk
Web: www.arcos.org.uk
The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) is a national charity and our vision is that of a dyslexia friendly society that enables dyslexic people of all ages to reach their full potential.
Ten percent (10%) of the British population are dyslexic; 4% severely so. Dyslexia is identified as a disability as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. Many of the dyslexic people across the UK, whether adults or children, are unable to fulfil their potential as a large percentage of the population still do not understand what dyslexia is, the difficulties which the condition presents and do not know how best to support them. Dyslexia is not an obvious difficulty; it is hidden. As a result, dyslexic people have to overcome numerous barriers to make a full contribution to society.
The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) campaigns for a dyslexia friendly society where barriers to dyslexic people do not exist. The BDA works to ensure that ALL people with dyslexia fulfil their potential. To achieve this we need to create change, set standards and support and enable people. It is the voice of dyslexic people; it listens to their views, represents their agendas and presses for long lasting sustainable change.
Contact:
The British Dyslexia Association
Unit 8
Bracknell Beeches
Old Bracknell Lane
Bracknell
Berkshire
RG12 7BW.
Tel: 0845 251 9003
National Helpline: 0845 251 9002
Fax: 0845 251 9005.
Email: admin@bdadyslexia.org.uk
Web: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
The British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD) is a national charity committed to improving the quality of life for the 1.2 million people in the UK with a learning disability. We do this by influencing policy-makers and other decision-makers, encouraging good practice among practitioners and helping people with a learning disability take charge of their own lives and become part of an inclusive society.
We work with government agencies and other organisations to help shape UK policy and strategic thinking, contributing to a shared vision of better services. We also carry out research on topics of national interest and publish our findings through conferences and workshops, publications and policy development.
We encourage the development of advocacy for people with learning disabilities by supporting local advocacy groups and carrying out reviews and evaluations of advocacy provision.
Contact:
British Institute of Learning Disabilities
Campion House
Green Street
Kidderminster
Worcestershire
United Kingdom
DY10 1JL
Tel: 01562 723 010
Fax 01562 723 029
Email: enquiries@bild.org.uk
Web: www.bild.org.uk
- Down Syndrome Education International is a UK-based charity that works throughout the UK and around the world to improve education for young people with Down syndrome through scientific research and global information and advice services.
Our work currently helps over 100,000 people in over 180 countries annually. Our greatest impact to date through our research, publishing, training, consulting, education and advice services has been in predominantly English-speaking countries, but we are now working to ensure that the benefits of our work reach children speaking different languages and children living in less affluent parts of the world.
Down Syndrome Education International has been at the heart of educational research and support for young people with Down syndrome for the last 30 years. Our work began through a research project investigating reading that was led by Sue Buckley, a psychologist and mother of a child who has Down syndrome. The sharing of the practical outcomes of scientific research that helps to improve life for young people with Down syndrome and their families has remained central to our work ever since.
Contact:
Down Syndrome Education International
The Sarah Duffen Centre
Belmont Street
Southsea
PO5 1NA
Tel: 023 9285 5330
Fax 023 9285 5320
Email: enquiries@downsed.org
Web: www.downsed.org
The Down's Heart Group is a charity offering support and information relating to heart conditions associated with Down's Syndrome.
It offers specialised help available to parents and professionals, including one to one support, a telephone helpline, newsletters, videos and DVD's. The group aims to provide unbiased, up to date facts, thereby enabling individuals to make informed choices.
Contact:
Down's Heart Group
PO Box 4260
Dunstable
Beds
LU6 2ZT
Tel: 0844 288 4800
Fax: 0844 288 4808
Email: info@dhg.org.uk
Web: www.dhg.org.uk
The Down's Syndrome Association (DSA) is the only organisation in this country focusing solely on all aspects of living successfully with Down's syndrome. Since 1970, we have grown from being a local parent support group to a national charity with over 20,000 members, a national office in Teddington Middlesex, offices in Northern Ireland and Wales. Despite this, the organisation is run by a total staff of only 33 (many of them part time), and a network of around 126 regional volunteer-led support groups.
We provide information and support for people with Down's syndrome, their families and carers, and the professionals who work with them. We strive to improve knowledge of the condition, and we champion the rights of people with Down's syndrome.
The organisation is divided into various teams, including:
- Information - run the helpline; provide info about all aspects of living with Down's syndrome including specialist advisers on social security benefits, education and health; advise new parents or anyone experiencing difficulties
- Fundraising - responsible for raising money for the association through events, sponsorship and trusts
- Communications - give key messages to the media, public and professionals; influence policy making; responsible for external publications
- Training - run courses throughout the UK for members, professionals and carers
- Membership - responsible for all administration surrounding new members, existing members and affiliated groups
Contact:
Down's Syndrome Association
Langdon Down Centre
2a Langdon Park
Teddington
TW11 9PS
Tel: 0845 230 0372
Fax: 0845 230 0373
E-mail: info@downs-syndrome.org.uk
Web: www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
- Entitlement and Quality Education for Pupils with Learning Difficulties (EQUALS) have now been offering its services to schools for 15 years. In this time it has built up a strong record in supporting teachers to apply the principles of QCA guidelines to curriculum development for pupils with learning difficulties. Members of the EQUALS Executive have been involved in a number of QCA projects seeking to influence the development of new national initiatives.
The strength of EQUALS is that it is managed by teachers, for teachers. It is a professional organisation that seeks to deliver the highest standards of education to pupils with learning difficulties, by interpreting and contributing to the development of government policies. EQUALS endeavours to respond quickly to provide focused seminars, workshops and teaching materials that enhance teacher practices in the classroom.
EQUALS is a registered charity, committed to supporting the work of teachers of pupils with profound, multiple and severe learning difficulties. EQUALS is non-profit making and has to self finance all of its activities.
Contact:
Tel: 0191 272 8600
Email: admin@equalsoffice.co.uk
Web: www.equals.co.uk
I CAN is the children’s communication charity.
What we do
We are here to ensure that no child is left out or left behind because of a difficulty speaking or understanding.
Nobody wants a child's potential to be wasted. It happens because communication difficulties are not visible, often mistaken for something else, or not noticed at all.
Communication difficulties are life-limiting. A child who struggles to speak will find it hard to read, write and make friends.
I CAN's mission is to make sure that everyone in contact with children knows how important communication is, what a communication difficultly looks like and what they can do to help.
We do this through:
- Increasing public awareness of the problems children face
- Giving expert advice to parents and families about what to look out for and what to do
- Providing assessments for children so that their families know what support will meet their needs
- Giving teachers and people working with children the skills to help children who struggle
- Campaigning to ensure children and families get a better deal
- At the very heart of I CAN are our special schools which give expert care and education to children with problems so severe their needs cannot be met elsewhere
About Us
For more details of what I CAN do, click here...
I CAN - Schools Provision Expanded
We would like to highlight the development in our provision of care and education at our two I CAN specialist schools.
Meath School in Surrey takes day and residential pupils between 4 and 11 years old. Dawn House is located in Nottinghamshire and takes day and residential pupils between 5 and 19 years old. Both schools have been rated as “outstanding” across all criteria of the 2010 Care Report.
For more information, download this 'Schools Provision Expanded' document.
Contact:
I CAN
8 Wakley Street
London
EC1V 7QE
Telephone: 0845 225 4071 or 020 7843 2510 - Switchboard
0845 225 4073 or 020 7843 2552 - Information
Email: info@ican.org.uk
Web: www.ican.org.uk