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

Joel, four, is non-verbal and has severe learning difficulties and his parents made the "incredibly difficult decision" to decline his primary one placement offer because of the distance.

From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026

She explained that Gracie, who was autistic and had learning difficulties, mostly communicated in gestures at the time, so Emma had been walking towards her daughter.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 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

Smith, a guide dog trainer was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung disease, in 2019 and was medically retired from her job working with children with learning difficulties.

From BBC ● Mar. 20, 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