Learning difficulties: What the neurologist needs to know

Abstract

Learning difficulties have a very significant effect on individuals and on society. The affected individual will have difficulties in thinking, acquisition, and processing of new information and knowledge. As a result of these difficulties many individuals require additional care, education, and medical services. In some cases affected individuals will never achieve personal independence and the need for care will persist throughout their lifetime. In the UK the term learning difficulty (or learning difficulties) is now preferred to older terms such as mental handicap or mental retardation. The term learning disorder is used slightly differently in the USA where it usually refers to specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. Learning difficulty is not a specific diagnosis - it refers to a collection of disorders in all of which impaired cognitive functioning is a common feature. This review will briefly discuss the causes of learning difficulty and will give guidance as to appropriate investigation of individuals who present with learning difficulty. It will also highlight some of the issues in management of the learning difficulties, particularly at the transition between paediatric services and adult learning disability services.