Specific Learning Disability: 

A disorder in one or more psychological processes involved in understanding or using language (spoken or written) that adversely affects educational performance. Includes difficulties in listening, thinking, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, or math. Not due to other factors (e.g., vision, hearing, cultural/language differences, intellectual disability). 

Types of Specific Learning Disabilities:  

• Basic Reading Skills: Word Recognition/Decoding

In the classroom, your child may be low in words per minute on oral reading fluency grade-level texts and have high error rates, even on familiar texts. 

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  Reading Fluency: accuracy + speed 

In the classroom, your child may read word-by-word or in halting phrases, lose place, avoid reading tasks, and suffer from comprehension issues when reading aloud. 

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  Reading Comprehension: Understanding Text

In the classroom, your child may be able to read aloud accurately but cannot summarize main ideas; misses inferential or higher-order questions; interprets literally; and has difficulty answering open-ended or application questions. 

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  Dyslexia involves difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, decoding, and spelling due to deficits in phonological processing.

In the classroom, dyslexia can impact your child’s ability to read grade-level text, comprehend written material, and complete assignments efficiently, often requiring explicit instruction and targeted accommodations to support success.

• Math Calculation: 

In the classroom, your child may be slow or inaccurate when adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing, misaligns numbers in written problems, loses place in multi-digit computation, relies on fingers for basic facts, or struggles with carrying/borrowing errors.

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  Math Problems Solving- Math Reasoning 

In the classroom, your child may struggle with math problems but cannot identify relevant operations in word problems, misses key information, makes poor strategy selections, and has difficulty explaining reasoning or showing steps. 

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  Dyscalculia- Difficulty with number sense and math learning 

In the classroom, the student may struggle with understanding quantity concepts, reverse digits, quickly recall basic math facts, learn patterns/sequences, and experience anxiety around math. 

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  Written Expression- Difficulty with writing 

In the classroom, this can impact a student’s ability to complete written assignments, demonstrate knowledge, and participate fully, often leading to increased frustration, lower academic performance, and a need for targeted support and accommodations.

• Dysgraphia is a neurological condition that affects a child’s ability to produce written work, including difficulties with handwriting, spelling, and organizing thoughts on paper. 

Dysgraphia can make writing tasks slow and effortful, limiting a student’s ability to express knowledge and keep up with assignments.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with a student’s academic functioning and behavior.

In the classroom, ADHD can affect your child’s ability to focus, follow directions, stay organized, and complete tasks, often requiring structured supports, behavioral strategies, and accommodations to promote success.

Intellectual Disability (ID) is characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, including conceptual, social, and practical skills, with onset during the developmental period.

In the classroom, ID can impact your child’s ability to learn new concepts, apply skills independently, and keep pace with grade-level expectations, often requiring individualized instruction, supports, and modifications to ensure meaningful progress.