Specific learning difficulties

This chapter sets the book in the context of the ‘New Directions in Special Educational Needs’ series of which it forms a part. It outlines the contents of the book chapter by chapter and describes the proposed readers. I then define specific learning difficulties and describe pupils considered to have such difficulties. This is done with reference to the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (DfES, 2001a), the guidance Data Collection by Type of Special Educational Needs (DfES, 2003) and the legal definition of special educational needs (SEN). The chapter then examines the question of what are considered to be ‘specific learning difficulties’ and how ‘specific’ they are. I explain aspects of sensory perception and sensory integration that arise in varying degrees when one comes to consider particular specific learning difficulties.