Learning Disability

Learning Disability refers to a variety of disorders that affect the acquisition, retention, understanding, organisation or use of verbal and/or non-verbal information. Learning disabilities range in severity and may interfere with one or more of the following:

Reading skills such as decoding, comprehension
Written language skills such as spelling, written expression
Mathematical skills such as computation, problem solving
Oral language skills such as listening, speaking, understanding

If a learning disability is impacting on your studies, services are available to you through the Disability Resource Centre (DRC). These may include:

Accessible course materials
Alternative Assessment Arrangements
Use of adaptive technology laboratory

Such supports can only be implemented on receipt of a current, valid report from a psychologist or other qualified professional, trained in administering standardised tests and assessing learning disabilities. This report must be presented in English. Standardized tests used must assess aptitude, achievement (reading, writing, and maths), and information processing abilities (verbal and visual spatial, memory). Some informal assessment may also be included. A report is considered current if it has been done within 3 years for a minor (under 18 years) and within 5 years as an adult.

Further Information

For more information about Learning Disability visit the Australian Learning Disability Association (ALDA).