Specific Learning Disability

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Definition

Specific learning disability 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 an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. Specific learning disabilities does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor abilities, of mental retardation, of emotional disturbance, or environmental, cultural or economic disadvantage. [34 CFR 300.8(c)(10)]

(05-071 Chapter 101, Maine Unified Special Education Regulations)

Procedure for Determination. All steps below are required.

The IEP Team may determine that a child has a specific learning disability if:

1. Data from (e.g., response for intervention) general education intervention, if appropriate, utilizing research based intervention techniques indicate that response to general education intervention is not adequate.
2. The child scores 1.5 or more standard deviations below the mean for the child's age on tests in one area of psychological processing, or 1 or more standard deviations below the mean in two or more areas of psychological processing. Instruments used for determining processing disorders must have peer reviewed, scientific research documentation, independent of that provided in the test manual, that supports a correlation between the processing problem and the academic deficit. Such tests may include measures of memory, phonological skills, processing speed as well as other measures which explicitly test psychological processing and
3. For children in grades 4-12, the following criteria must also be met: The child obtains a composite standardized score that is no lower than 1.5 standard deviations below the mean on at least one index/scale of cognitive functioning from a standardized measure of general cognitive ability. The index/scale must include at least 3 subtests and the score must be interpretable according to the test used.

Additional group members. The determination of whether a child suspected of having a specific learning disability is a child with a disability as defined in section 300.8 and VII.2(L) of this rule must be made by the child's parents and a team of qualified professionals, which must include:

The child's regular teacher; or

If the child does not have a regular teacher, a regular classroom teacher qualified to teach a child of his or her age; or

For a child of less than school age, an individual qualified by the SEA to teach a child of his or her age; and

At least one person qualified to conduct individual diagnostic examinations of children, such as a school psychologist, speech-language pathologist, or remedial reading teacher. [20 U.S.C. 1221e-3; 1401(30); 1414(b)(6) and 34 CFR 300.308]

Useful Links:

DOE - Specific Learning Disability

NICHCY - Learning Disabilities

Organizations

CEC - Division for Learning Disabiliites

Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD)

CLD is an international organization that promotes effective teaching and research. CLD is composed of professionals who represent diverse disciplines and who are committed to enhance the education and lifespan development of individuals with learning disabilities. CLD establishes standards of excellence and promotes innovative strategies for research and practice through interdisciplinary collegiality, collaboration, and advocacy.

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA)

IDA is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia, their families and the communities that support them. The goal of IDA has been to provide the most comprehensive forum for parents, educators, and researchers to share their experiences, methods, and knowledge.

National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)

NCLD works to ensure that the nation's 15 million children, adolescents and adults with learning disabilities have every opportunity to succeed in school, work and life. NCLD provides essential information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning, and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities.

The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)

NICHCY is the national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals. The center’s special focus is children and youth (birth to age 22).

Reports

Inclusion & Learning Disabilities - A Teacher's Guide