Cognition and learning difficulties cover a wide range of needs and abilities. Cognition and learning difficulties may affect all areas of the curriculum, as with pupils with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) or Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD). However, cognition and learning difficulties may only impact on specific areas such as reading, writing, spelling and/or numeracy.

Typical characteristics of young people with Cognition and Learning needs can include:

• Indications of frustration, poor motivation, and low self-esteem.
• Difficulties in areas of speech and language
• Difficulties with motor organisation, motor skills and persistent restlessness
• Difficulties with executive functions, including working memory, personal organisation, verbal processing, managing emotions, impulsivity, task initiation, completion, and inhibition.
• Noticeable variations in performance in learning tasks.
• Difficulties with attention control and sensory sensitivities.
• Difficulties with processing information.