特殊学习需要，旧称学习障碍或学习困难。学习障碍的成因很复杂，不同地区对学习障碍亦有不同的定义，而亦可归因到医学、心理学或教育学等不同的范畴上。普遍来讲，学习障碍是指学生因为能力上的障碍而引致学习困难，而这障碍可以是肉体上的障碍，也可以是精神方面的障碍。

过去的教学理论一般都会为有学习障碍的学生设立特殊教育，但在讲求融合教育的今天，这种思想显得过时。因此，现时社会应付学习障碍的方法，会在学习方法上的改善。这种改善，可以是特殊仪器辅助，如：放大镜、助听器，也可以是教学法上的改变，如针对轻度弱智学生，降低知识难度。

Learning disability is a classification that includes several areas of functioning in which a person has difficulty learning in a typical manner, usually caused by an unknown factor or factors. Given the "difficulty learning in a typical manner", this does not exclude the ability to learn in a different manner. Therefore, some people can be more accurately described as having a "Learning Difference", thus avoiding any misconception of being disabled with a lack of ability to learn and possible negative stereotyping.