■ plural noun Brit. difficulties in acquiring knowledge and skills to the normal level expected of those of the same age, especially because of mental disability or cognitive disorder.
Usage
The phrase ~ covers general conditions such as Down's syndrome as well as more specific cognitive or neurological conditions such as dyslexia. In emphasizing the difficulty experienced rather than any perceived ‘deficiency’, it is considered more positive than terms such as mentally handicapped , and is now the standard accepted term in Britain in official contexts.