Brain wiring could be behind learning difficulties, say experts

Learning difficulties are not linked to differences in particular brain regions, but in how the brain is wired, research suggests. According to figures from the Department for Education, 14.9% of all pupils in England – about 1.3 million children – had special educational needs in January 2019, with 271,200 having difficulties that required support beyond typical special needs provision. Dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and dyspraxia are among conditions linked to learning difficulties. Now experts say different learning difficulties are not specific to particular diagnoses, nor are they linked to particular regions of the brain – as has previously been thought. Instead the team, from the University of Cambridge, say learning difficulties appear to be associated with differences in the way connections in the brain are organised.