learning difficulties

British  

plural noun

1. difficulty experienced in reaching the average standard of people of the same age group as regards intellectual and cognitive skills and performance

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Usage

This is now the standard umbrella term to cover both difficulties created by specific conditions, such as dyslexia, and by less than average intellectual skills

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

learning difficulties

A man with osteoarthritis and learning difficulties has said he feels "humiliated" after being told he cannot take his new mobility scooter on Translink's train services because it has been deemed to be too big.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

He later went on to work with children with learning difficulties, which shaped his education philosophy about prioritising individual differences.

From Barron's ● May 13, 2026

But she still has them, as well as autism and learning difficulties.

From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2026

"They essentially now have learning difficulties," says Harbinder, who gave up her job as managing director of an international consultancy to care for her children.

From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2026

I’m meant to say that they have learning difficulties or that they have special needs.

From "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon