Moderate Learning Difficulty (MLD)
Children with MLDs will have attainments significantly below expected levels in most areas of the curriculum despite appropriate interventions. Their needs will not be able to be met by typical adaptation/differentiation and the flexibilities of the National Curriculum.
They should only be recorded as MLD if additional educational provision is being made to help them to access the curriculum. Children with MLDs have much greater difficulty than their peers in acquiring basic literacy and numeracy skills and in understanding concepts. They may also have an associated speech and language delay, low self-esteem, low levels of concentration and under-developed social skills.
Severe Learning Difficulty (SLD)
Children with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) have significant intellectual or cognitive impairments. This has a major effect on their ability to participate in the school curriculum without support. They may also have difficulties in mobility and co-ordination, communication and perception and the acquisition of self-help skills. Children with severe learning difficulties will need support in all areas of the curriculum.
They may also require teaching of self-help, independence and social skills. Some children may use sign and symbols but most will be able to hold simple conversations.
Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty (PMLD)
Children with profound and multiple learning difficulties have complex learning needs. In addition to very severe learning difficulties, children have other significant difficulties such as physical disabilities, sensory impairment or a severe medical condition. Children require a high level of adult support, both for their learning needs and also for their personal care. They are likely to need sensory stimulation and a curriculum broken down into very small steps. Some children communicate by gesture, eye pointing or symbols, others by very simple language.
Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD)
“A child or a young person with a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) may have difficulty with one or more aspects of learning. This includes a range of conditions such as dyslexia (difficulties with reading and spelling); dyscalculia (maths); dyspraxia (co-ordination) and dysgraphia (writing).” (2013 SEN Code of Practice)