We Can Help Our mission is to assist parents, educators and students dealing with learning disabilities. We know that it can be confusing and frustrating trying to understand what it means to have a learning disability. On this page you will find some basic information about learning disabilities and how we can help. - Research on Learning Disabilities
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Specific Learning Disabilities Definition Specific learning disability (SLD) is a term defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) 2004. SLD means that someone has a history of problems in one or more of the following areas understand or using spoken or written language. These problems usually show up in the following areas: - Listening
- Thinking
- Speaking
- Reading
- Spelling
- Math Calculations
This can include “such conditions as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia.” You are not considered to have a learning disability if: - You have problems with your vision, hearing or motor skills disabilities;
- Your disability is the result of an intellectual disability also known as mental retardation;
- Your disability is the result of an emotional or behavioral disturbance
- Your problems have occurred because of your environment, culture, or economics (amount of money you do or do not make) (IDEA 2004, § 602.30, Definitions)
Students are tested for difficulty in the following areas to see if problems in understanding or using language can be pinpointed: - Listening Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Basic Reading
- Reading Comprehension
- Reading Fluency
- Math Calculation
- Math Reasoning
- Written Expression
Students will qualify as a student with a specific learning disability (SLD) in one or more of these eight areas.
DEFINITIONS ADD: Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
AEP: Alternative Educational Placement
AI: Auditory Impairment
ARD: Admission/Review/Dismissal Meeting
AT: Assistive Technology
AU: Autism
Benchmarks –Practice tests given during the year
BIP: Behavior Intervention Plan
CATE: Career and Technology Education
CBI: Community Based Instruction
CBM: Curriculum Based Measurement
CM: Content Mastery
CTED: Career and Technology Education for Disabled
DAEP: District Alternative Educational Placement
DEBT: Developmental Education Birth through Two
ED: Emotionally Disabled
ELL: English Language Learners
ESL: English Second Language
EYS: End of Year Services
FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education
FBA: Functional Behavioral Assessment
FIE: Full Individual Evaluation
GIA/FS: General Intellectual Ability/ Full Scale
IDEA: Individual Disabilities Educational Act
ID: Intellectual Disabilities
IEP: Individual Education Program
ISS: In School Suspension
ITP: Individual Transitional Plan
JJAEP: Juvenile Justice Alternative Educational Placement
LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor
LD: Learning Disabled
LEP: Limited English Proficiency
LPAC: Language Proficiency Assessment Committee
LRE: Least Restrictive Environment
LSSP: Licensed Specialist in School Psychology
MDR: Manifestation Determination Review
MR: Mental Retardation
NCLB: No Child Left Behind Act
OHI: Other Health Impairment
OI: Orthopedic Impairment
OT: Occupational Therapy
PBS: Positive Behavior Support
PGP: Post Graduation Plan
PLOP: Present Levels of Performance
PPCD: Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities
PT: Physical Therapy
RTI: Response to Intervention/Instruction
SI: Speech Impaired
SLP: Speech Language Pathologist
SPED: Special Education
TAKS: Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills
TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury
VAC: Vocational Adjustment Coordinator
VI: Visual Impairment | 
