On this website, I make a, somewhat artificial, distinction between LD and special needs.

The term learning differences (formerly learning disabilities) technically fits under the label of special needs, which acts as an umbrella term. Popularly, though, they are perceived differently.

Often called hidden disabilities, students with LD and ADD look typical from the outside. Specifically, these students seem like typical learners until problems with learning and attention crop up. 

Conversely, a special needs student’s issues are often more apparent to causal bystanders. In addition, their, learning styles vary to a greater extent when compared to LD students. Considering that LD learning styles also vary greatly, it shows how special needs students can learn in extremely diverse ways.

There also exists a qualitative difference between teaching special needs and LD students. An LD student’s problems with learning comes from issues arising from perception. Deal with the perception issues, and you have gone a long way toward dealing with the learning disability.

Special needs students, however, commonly have more issues with general learning.

Because of these differences, each have their own separate webpages:

• Adapted Music Lessons
• What is LD & ADD?

In addition, you can reference these blog archives:

• ADD
• ASD
• Autism
• LD
• Special needs

     – Geoffrey Keith