School and learning disabilities

“Specific Learning Disability” (SLD) is the term used in the federal law under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Specific Learning Disabilities is not a single disorder but a group of disorders.

IDEA 2004 states:
“A Specific Learning Disability is a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken nor written, that may  manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write spell or do mathematical calculations that affects a student’s educational performance.

“Specific learning disability” does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing or motor disabilities; of intellectual disability; of emotional disturbance; or of environmental, cultural or economic disadvantage.”
IDEA 34 §300.8(c)(10)

One or more areas to consider if a student does not meet grade level standards:

• Oral expression
• Listening comprehension
• Written expression
• Basic reading skills
• Reading fluency skills
• Reading comprehension
• Mathematics calculation
• Mathematics problem solving