Specific Learning Disability

Specific learning disabilities (SLD) are heterogeneous in nature, often differing markedly from one person to the next. The Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia, effective on July 7, 2009, and reissued on January 25, 2010 (the Virginia Regulations) define the terms as follows:

"Specific learning disability" means 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 an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or do mathematical calculations. The term includes such conditions as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. The term does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities; of intellectual disabilities; of emotional disabilities; of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage. (COV § 22.1-213; 34 CFR 300.8 (c) (1U0) )

Many disabilities/disorders diagnosed by medical professionals fall under the umbrella of Specific Learning Disability (SLD). These include, but are not limited to the following:

• Dyslexia and other language-based/reading disorders

• Dyscalculia (Mathematics Disability)

• Dysgraphia (Writing Disability)

Common Characteristics

• • • Difficulties with reading, math, written language

    • May have listening and attention issues

    • Poor grades

    • Poor peer interactions, frustration

Criteria

• • • A psychological processing disorder is noted

    • Learning problems that cannot be attributed to other disabilities (discrepancy in ability and achievement

    • Special educational services needed to succeed in school

VDOE Guidance/Resources

• Virginia's Guidelines for Educating Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (PDF) Also available as Accessible Word Document (Word) – A resource for teachers and administrators as they address the educational needs of students with a Specific Learning Disability (SLD). These guidelines offer an overview of best practices for educating individuals with SLD. Parents of children with SLD may find this document useful as well.

• Specific Learning Disability Supplementary Guide Dyslexia: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) – This document is designed to be a resource for teachers, administrators and parents to address the educational needs of students with dyslexia. It provides information on the resources and services available to students with dyslexia through general education, as well as any student with dyslexia who may qualify to receive services as a student with a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).

• Evidence-Based Specially Designed Instruction in Mathematics Resource Guide (PDF) provides an overview of evidence-based instructional strategies that educators can utilize to support students with mathematics disability or difficulty at any grade. Importantly, the strategies outlined in this document are targeted at improving learning outcomes for the following student populations:

  • • • Students with a formal school identification of a specific learning disability in mathematics.

      • Students with a non-mathematics-related disability (e.g., speech and language disorder, specific learning disability in reading) who experience mathematics difficulty.

      • At-risk students without a formal disability diagnosis who experience mathematics difficulty.

• Students with Disabilities in Mathematics: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) is a companion to the Evidenced Based Specially Designed Instruction in Mathematics Resource Guide. This document provides an overview of the characteristics of mathematics disability, as well as information about accommodations, modifications, and assistive technology that can support a student with a disability in mathematics.

• Participation & Inclusion - includes guidelines for assessment participation and special test accommodations

• RTI and the Special Education Eligibility Process: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

• Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS)

• Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia (PDF)

• Supporting the Identification and Achievement of Twice-Exceptional Students

• Supporting World Language Learning for Students with Disabilities (PDF) – Overview and practical manual for including students with disabilities, difficulties, or other specialized learning needs in the foreign language classroom.