Autism, ADHD and learning disabilities: questions and answers
Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, cerebral palsy, sensory and speech needs explained simply. Below are 11 questions people ask Google and AI assistants, each answered directly in a few sentences.
What is autism?
Autism is a lifelong developmental difference affecting social communication and interaction, often with focused interests, preference for routines and sensory differences.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention, impulse control and activity levels.
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that makes accurate, fluent reading and spelling unusually hard despite good teaching.
What is dysgraphia?
A specific learning difficulty affecting handwriting and written expression.
What is dyscalculia?
A specific learning difficulty affecting number sense and maths.
What is cerebral palsy?
A group of lifelong conditions affecting movement and posture, caused by differences in the developing brain. Children may also have communication, sensory or learning needs.
What are sensory processing issues?
Differences in how a child responds to sounds, touch, light, movement and other input, which can make classrooms overwhelming.
Is autism a learning disability?
No, but some autistic children also have learning disabilities or intellectual disability.
What is intellectual disability?
Significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour that begin in childhood.
What are speech and language difficulties?
Difficulties understanding or using language, or producing speech sounds clearly; speech and language therapists assess and treat them.
Can a child have more than one condition?
Yes. For example, ADHD and dyslexia, or autism and anxiety, often occur together.
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