---
title: What’s the difference between “specific learning disability” and “learning disability”?
description: In the United States, there is no meaningful difference between the terms “specific learning disability” and “learning disability.”
slug: whats-difference-between-specific-learning-disability-and-learning-disability
author: Andrew M.I. Lee, JD
reviewer: Ellen Braaten, PhD
published: '2022-01-19T16:12:31.625Z'
source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/whats-difference-between-specific-learning-disability-and-learning-disability
lang: en
---

# What’s the difference between “specific learning disability” and “learning disability”?

**Q. I hear some people use the term “specific learning disability.” Other people just say “learning disability.” What’s the difference between these two terms?  **

**A. **It can be confusing. But the answer is simple — there’s no meaningful difference. 

*Specific learning disability *is the same as *learning disability*. The word “specific” refers to an area of learning, like language, reading, or math.

Along the same lines, professionals use the terms *specific learning disorder* and *learning disorder *to diagnose conditions. These terms mean the same thing too. Again, the word *specific *refers to areas of learning.

Keep in mind we’re talking about the United States. Here, the definition of *specific learning disability *comes from our special education law. The term *learning disability* has a [different meaning in the United Kingdom](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/whats-the-difference-between-learning-disabilities-and-intellectual-disabilities). 

You can learn more here: [What are learning disabilities?](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-are-learning-disabilities)

---

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