Co-occurring difficulties
Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) is an umbrella term used to cover a range of frequently co-occurring difficulties. SpLD affect the way information is learned and processed. They are neurological (rather than psychological), usually hereditary and occur independently of intelligence.
A range of studies have indicated high levels of overlap between dyscalculia and other SpLD. This has led to the assertion by Kaplan (2001) that ‘in developmental disorders, co-morbidity is the rule, not the exception’.
For an overview of the most common SpLD, see www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/educator/what-are-specific-learning-difficulties.
Short talks on a range of co-occurring difficulties are freely available at www.dystalk.com
Other useful websites:
Attention Deficit Disorder Association
Kaplan, B. et al ( 2001) The Term Comorbidity Is Of Questionable Value In Reference To Developmental Disorders: Data And Theory, Journal of learning Disabilities, Vol 34, No 6 pp555-565
