Specific Learning Disabilities & Special Education: 6 Facts for Parents
A Specific Learning Disability (SLD) is one of 13 categories of the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA) that qualifies a student for an Individualized Education Program (IEP). An SLD can present numerous challenges for the impacted student, often requiring a variety of accommodations, curriculum modifications, and/or special education instruction to help them overcome barriers to learning.
If your student has learning differences, the first step in seeking an IEP is gaining knowledge of what the SLD category of IDEA does (and doesn’t) cover. Here are 6 key facts to know:
1. The SLD definition
According to the IDEA, an SLD is defined as “a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, or to do mathematical calculations.” Some examples include:
Dyslexia - difficulty reading and interpreting words, letters, and symbols
Dyscalculia – struggles with math functions, such as number-related concepts, problem solving, or understanding and choosing correct math operations
Dysgraphia – difficulty composing written communications
2. Symptoms and severity vary
The way an SLD presents itself from one student to the next can be vastly different. For example, one student with dyslexia may have trouble learning the alphabet or connecting letters to sounds, while another student may have trouble understanding the words they are reading. Diagnostic testing is a critical first step to identify each students’ specific area(s) of struggle so that they can receive effective support.
3. It is the largest category of IDEA
The SLD category of IDEA is the largest of the 13 categories that can qualify a student for an IEP. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that, in the 2020-2021 school year, 33% of students served under IDEA fell under the SLD category. Additionally, it is estimated that nearly 1 in 5 people in the United States has a learning disability.
If you believe that a Specific Learning Disability is causing your student’s academic difficulties, they may qualify for an IEP. Schedule your free 15-minute consultation below to learn how our diagnostic testing can help.
4. An SLD does not cover all learning challenges
While SLD is the largest category of IDEA, it does not cover every condition that impairs learning. Specifically, an SLD does not cover:
Learning problems that result from sensory disability (such as visual, hearing, or motor disabilities)
Learning problems that result from emotional or behavioral disabilities
Limited English proficiency
Environmental, economic, or cultural factors
Learning impairments resulting from traumatic brain injury
Many of these conditions can qualify a student for 504 Plan support or an IEP under different categories of IDEA.
Click here for more information on all 13 categories of IDEA
5. SLDs impact more than learning
In witnessing classmates who don’t face the same challenges, students with SLDs often develop a negative self-image about their intelligence and abilities. Many students believe that their SLD symptoms cannot be overcome, contributing to depression, depleting their motivation and preventing them from reaching their academic potential. Securing effective supports, placements, accommodations, and modifications are key to helping students defeat self-limiting thoughts and optimize their learning experience.
6. A diagnosis is not enough to qualify for an IEP
While an SLD diagnosis is a strong first step toward acquiring accommodations or modifications, it is important to remember that a diagnosis alone does not qualify a student for an IEP. In addition to a diagnosis, a qualified evaluator must also identify and document how their diagnosis produces an academic impairment or adversely affects learning. Our doctors at Variations Psychology specialize in comprehensive educational testing and can equip you with the necessary documentation for seeking IEP support.
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More about Variations Psychology
Variations Psychology is a group practice specializing in diagnostic testing to identify psychological conditions.
Our comprehensive evaluations test for conditions that impact mental health and development such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, depression, anxiety, learning disorders, and developmental delays.
In addition to diagnostic services, we offer Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) of K-12 students to assess needs for accommodations in school and determine their appropriate placements. IEEs provide an objective second opinion on existing IEP and 504 Plans.
For K-12 and post-secondary students, we offer evaluations to assess needs for accommodations on standardized tests, college entrance exams (e.g. - SAT, ACT, AP Exams), and graduate and professional licensing exams (e.g. - MCAT, LSAT, GRE, CBEST, NCLEX, GMAT, CA Cosmetology Exam, CA Contractors State Licensing Exam, CA Bar Exam).
Schedule your free 15-minute consultation below to learn how our diagnostic services can support you and your family.
Variations Psychology is located in Newport Beach, CA and provides psychological testing to residents throughout Orange County and its surrounding areas including Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Irvine, Shady Canyon, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Coto de Caza, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Yorba Linda, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Pelican Hill, Crystal Cove, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Lake Forest, Huntington Beach, Sunset Beach, Seal Beach, and more.
References:
Fast Facts: Students with Disabilities (2022). National Center for Educational Statistics. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=64
Sec. 300.8 (c) (10) (2018). IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Retrieved from https://sites.ed.gov/idea/regs/b/a/300.8/c/10
Shinn, M.M. (2018). 7 Strategies for Fostering a Growth Mindset in Your Child. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/7-strategies-for-fostering-a-growth-mindset-in-your-child
Shinn, M.M. 8 Reasons to Get Your Kid Tested by an Educational Psychologist. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/8-reasons-to-get-your-kid-tested-by-an-educational-psychologist
Shinn. M.M. (2020). Could My Kid Have a Processing Disorder? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/could-my-kid-have-a-processing-disorder
Shinn, M.M. (2022) Dealing with Dysgraphia: 7 Steps to Help Your Child Overcome Writing Challenges. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/7-steps-to-help-your-child-overcome-writing-challenges
Shinn, M.M. (2020). Detecting Dyslexia: Could My Kid Have It? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/detecting-dyslexia-could-my-kid-have-it
Shinn, M.M. (2020). Gifted Kids and Disabilities – What Parents Need to Know About 2e. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/what-parents-need-to-know-about-2e
Shinn, M.M. (2021). Is My Child or Teen Depressed? 10 Tell-Tale Questions to Consider. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/is-my-child-or-teen-depressed-10-tell-tale-questions-to-consider
Shinn, M.M. (2018). Life Success – Is it about Persistence or Following Your Passion? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/life-success-is-it-about-persistence-or-following-your-passion
Shinn, M.M. (2022). My Kid Has an Emotional Disability – Can They Qualify For an IEP? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/my-kid-has-an-emotional-disability-can-they-qualify-for-an-iep
Shinn, M.M. (2022). The 13 Categories of IDEA: What Conditions Can Qualify My Student for Special Education? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/the-13-categories-of-idea-what-conditions-can-qualify-my-student-for-special-education
Shinn, M.M. (2022). Understanding Supports, Services, Accommodations, Modifications & Placements. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/understanding-supports-services-accommodations-modifications-placements
Shinn, M.M. (2022). Why is Math So Hard for My Kid? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/why-is-math-so-hard-for-my-kid-wctwz
What Is Specific Learning Disorder? (2022). American Psychiatry Association. Retrieved from https://psychiatry.org/patients-families/specific-learning-disorder/what-is-specific-learning-disorder
How to Cite This Blog Article:
Shinn. M.M. (2022). Specific Learning Disabilities and Special Education: 6 Facts for Parents. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/specific-learning-disabilities-special-education-6-facts-for-parents