Learning Disabilities

According to the U.S. Department of Education, students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) account for nearly one half of students being served by special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). There is a general consensus in educational and psychological literature that students with SLD have specific cognitive or psychological deficits that cause them to evidence academic deficits; however, the specific nature of these deficits has been highly debated. What is known, however, is that academic deficits that are a result of a learning disability are hidden, often lifelong, and at times may be profound. Students with SLD generally demonstrate deficits in one or any combination of three basic academic skill sets: reading, written language, and math.

This entry begins with an introduction to ...