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A learning disability is a disorder that affects people's ability to either interpret what they see and hear or to link information from different parts of the brain. This section provides a wealth of information about learning disabilities, the most common of which is dyslexia — difficulty with language and reading. Be sure to also visit our sister site LD OnLine, the leading website on learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and other professionals.
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By: Roxanne F. Hudson, Leslie High, and Stephanie Al Otaiba (2007)
The identification of a child with dyslexia is a difficult process, but there are ways that parents and teachers can learn more about the reading difficulty and support the child’s learning.
By: The Access Center (2007)
The literacy-rich environment emphasizes the importance of speaking, reading, and writing in the learning of all students. This involves the selection of materials that will facilitate language and literacy opportunities; reflection and thought regarding classroom design; and intentional instruction and facilitation by teachers and staff.
By: Dale S. Brown (2007)
Three research based practices help students with learning disabilities improve their writing. Read this interview with Steve Graham, author of Writing Next: Effective Strategies to Improve Writing of Adolescents in Middle and High School who explains how you can help your students succeed in communicating through the written word.
By: GreatSchools Editorial Staff (2007)
If you're thinking of hiring a private specialist to test your child for a learning disability, here are some key questions to ask yourself and the prospective evaluator.
By: CAST (2006)
An important change in special education law in 2004 was the inclusion of NIMAS, the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard. This new regulation requires educational publishers to provide textbooks and other print materials in a digital format, so that students who have trouble with print can access the curriculum.
By: National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (2006)
The National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities developed an overview on screening, diagnosing and serving children age four or younger. The document was developed for researchers, administrators, and people who need an academic overview.
Professional school counselors can be more effective in their work with parents of students with disabilities — as well as with the students themselves, the students’ teachers, and other students — if they understand parental perspectives. Parents' areas of concern are described, and implications for school counselors are discussed.
By: Amy Milsom (2006)
The school experiences of students with disabilities can be positively or negatively influenced by the attitudes and behaviors of students and staff and by general school policies. School counselors can take the lead in assessing school climate in relation to students with disabilities and initiating interventions or advocating for change when appropriate. This article provides an overview of factors to consider in creating positive school experiences for students with disabilities and suggestions for intervention efforts.
By: Linda D. Webb and Robert. D Myrick (2006)
This article describes a six-session group counseling pilot intervention to help students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) understand its effects on their classroom performance and to learn and practice a repertoire of school success skills. Children are lead on a "journey" in which they learn they are different travelers in the world of education and often take alternate routes to their destinations (academic, personal-social, and career goals).
By: National Center for Learning Disabilities (2006)
Students must pass a high stakes tests to graduate high school. If they fail, they don't get a diploma. These tests are a major barrier for students with learning disabilities who often do not test well. Accommodations can help. Learn how to help children with learning disabilities do well on these tests.
By: Mary Ruth Coleman, Virginia Buysse, and Jennifer Neitzel (2006)
Some young children show signs that they may not be learning in an expected manner, even before they begin kindergarten. These children may exhibit problems in areas such as language development, phonological awareness, perceptual-motor abilities, and attention, which have been considered precursors of learning disabilities in older children. However, under current state and federal guidelines, these children are unlikely to meet eligibility criteria for having a learning disability. This is because formal identification of a child's learning disability generally does not occur until there is a measurable discrepancy between the child's aptitude and academic achievement, often not until the second or third grade.
By: Nicole Strangeman, Chuck Hitchcock, Tracey Hall, and Grace Meo, et al. (2006)
Helping struggling readers in the general classroom is a challenge, but The Access Center offers a solution. By using Response-to-Instruction’s tiered approach and Universal Design’s equal access philosophy, you can bridge the gap so that you are truly leaving no child behind.
By: National Center for Learning Disabilities (2006)
Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing abilities. Learn the warning signs and strategies that can help. There are techniques for teaching and accommodating early writers, young students, or help yourself if you struggle with dysgraphia.
By: Center for Implementing Technology in Education (2006)
Technology—and especially the subset of technology tools known as assistive technology—can be an effective element of the writing curriculum for students with disabilities. Assistive technology (AT) can be defined as a technology that allows someone to accomplish a critical educational or life task. Since writing is so integral to school success, AT is often indicated to assist students with disabilities. In this article, CITEd looks at how technology can support students' writing.
By: Louise Spear-Swerling (2005)
Spelling difficulties can be enduring in individuals with reading disabilities, sometimes even after reading has been successfully remediated. Addressing spelling difficulties is important, because poor spelling can hamper writing and can convey a negative impression even when the content of the writing is excellent.
By: Reading Rockets (2005)
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is our nation's special education law. Below you'll find important information about IDEA 2004, which went into effect on July 1, 2005.
By: Kathryn Drummond (2005)
Reading difficulties likely occur on a continuum, meaning that there is a wide range of students who experience reading difficulties. There are those students who are diagnosed with a learning disability. There is also an even larger group of students who do not have diagnoses but who need targeted reading assistance.
By: Diane Torres-Velasquez and Diane Rodriguez (2005)
By: Amanda Fenlon (2005)
Entering kindergarten can a joyful but also an anxious time, particularly for parents of children with disabilities. These best practices can help make for a smoother transition: using a collaborative team approach to involve families, setting transition goals, and focusing on the needs and strengths of individual children.
By: Sally E. Shaywitz (2004)
Find out how the specific signs of dyslexia, both weaknesses and strengths, in any one individual will vary according to the age and educational level of that person.
- For older articles, see the Learning Disabilities Archives >
