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.
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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