Which of the following statements is part of the definition of specific learning disability?

Learning disabilities may be defined in practical, medical and legal terms. The common theme in all three definitions is that a learning disability is a disorder in one or more basic psychological processes that may manifest itself as an imperfect ability in certain areas of learning, such as reading, written expression, or mathematics.

Practical Definition

The term “learning disabilities”, sometimes referred to as specific learning disabilities, is an umbrella term that covers a range of neurologically based disorders in learning and various degrees of severity of such disorders. Predecessor terms include: minimal brain damage and minimal brain dysfunction.

Broadly speaking, these disorders involve difficulty in one or more, but not uniformly in all, basic psychological processes: (1) input (auditory and visual perception), (2) integration (sequencing, abstraction, and organization), (3) memory (working, short term, and long term memory), (4) output (expressive language), and (5) motor (fine and gross motor).

Learning disabilities vary from individual to individual and may present in a variety of ways. Learning disabilities may manifest as difficulty: (1) processing information by visual and auditory, means, which may impact upon reading, spelling, writing, and understanding or using language, (2) prioritizing, organizing, doing mathematics, and following instructions, (3) storing or retrieving information from short or long term memory, (4) using spoken language, and (5) clumsiness or difficulty with handwriting.

Learning disabilities are not emotional disturbances, intellectual disabilities, or sensory impairments. They are not caused by inadequate parenting or lack of educational opportunity.

Cognitive assessment, including psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation, is of critical importance in diagnosing a learning disability. Learning disabilities may be diagnosed by qualified school or educational psychologists, by clinical psychologists, and by clinical neuropsychologists who are trained and experienced in the assessment of learning disabilities.

Medical Definition

The draft Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) contains a section for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and, within that section, a category for Specific Learning Disorder. The Neurodevelopmental Disorders Section also contains categories for Communications Disorders and Motor Disorders. Specific Learning Disorder in draft DSM-V includes difficulties in reading, written expression, and mathematics.

DSM-IV-TR, which is currently in effect, includes: Reading Disorder, Mathematics Disorder, Disorder of Written Expression, and Learning Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS).

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides that “specific learning disability” means “a disorder in 1 or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which disorder may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations.” Such term “includes such conditions as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia.” Such term does not include “a learning problem that is primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of intellectual disabilities, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.” 20 U.S.C Section 1401 (30).

The term “learning disabilities” is not expressly defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) , but courts have referred to the IDEA definition in cases involving the ADA.

Why Provide Educational Services of Accommodations to Individuals with Learning Disabilities?

Learning disabilities are life long impairments that may impact all areas of an individual’s life. It is important to provide services and accommodations that a re required by law, not just because of the legal requirement, but also because providing these services and accommodations benefits individuals with learning disabilities and society overall by facilitating full participation in society by individuals with learning disabilities.

Adopted by the LDA Board of Directors September 22, 2012

Overview

IDEA (2004) Definition of Specific Learning Disability (SLD) 

Specific learning disability means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. Specific learning disability does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of intellectual disability, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage. [34 CFR Section 300.8 (c)(10)]

Eight Academic Domains of SLD:

  • Oral Expression
  • Listening Comprehension
  • Written Expression
  • Basic Reading Skills
  • Reading Fluency Skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Mathematics Calculation
  • Mathematics Problem Solving

CSDE Working Definition of SLD/Dyslexia*

Dyslexia is included in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) as a specific learning disability (SLD). Dyslexia impacts reading, specifically decoding and accurate and/or fluent word recognition and spelling. Dyslexia is neurobiological in origin and is unexpected and/or inconsistent with a student’s other abilities often despite the provision of appropriate instruction. Dyslexia results from a significant deficit in phonological processing (i.e., a persistent difficulty in the awareness of and ability to manipulate the individual sounds of spoken language).

Typically, students with dyslexia have strengths in areas such as reasoning, critical thinking, concept formation, problem solving, vocabulary, listening comprehension, and social communication (e.g., conversation). Early identification and appropriate instruction targeting the underlying phonological processing deficits that characterize dyslexia may minimize its educational impact.

Essential Clarifications

  • Dyslexia is not primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disability; an intellectual disability; emotional disturbance; a lack of appropriate instruction; cultural factors; environmental or economic disadvantage; or limited English proficiency.
  • Early identification of the characteristics of dyslexia is critical, leading to focused, evidence-based interventions, accommodations, self-awareness, self-empowerment, and school and life success.
  • Without targeted, systematic and explicit instruction/interventions along with accommodations (e.g., accessible educational materials in content area subjects), students with dyslexia may have:
    • reduced reading experiences that may impact the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge,
    • difficulty with written expression, and/or
    • difficulty learning a second language.
  • Students with dyslexia may demonstrate additional behavioral and/or emotional reactions to their difficulty with learning to read.

*This working definition was developed by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) with input from an external stakeholder workgroup and was based on a review of applicable literature, the IDEA, and current definitions in use by other states, organizations and legislation.

Professional Learning Opportunities

  • CSDE/SERC Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)/Dyslexia Initiative
  • CSDE/SERC 2021-2022 SLD and SLD/Dyslexia FREE Online Modules
  • CSDE/SERC 2021-22 Specific Learning Disability (SLD)/Dyslexia Webinar Series for Educator Preparation Program (EPPs) (3-part webinar series presented as a single self-paced online course on the Canvas Learning Management Series)
  • CSDE/SERC 2021-22 Structured Literacy Program Training Series (October 2021 to January 2022)
  • CSDE/SERC 2021-22 Structured Literacy Program Training Series) (February 2022 to June 2022)
  • CSDE/RESC Alliance 2021-22 Structured Literacy Series: Systematic Teaching of Basic Literacy Skills

Which of the following is a specific learning disability?

“Specific learning disability” is an umbrella term that can describe many different types of learning issues including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Different types of specific learning disabilities require different interventions.

What is the definition of a specific learning disorder quizlet?

what is the definition of "specific learning disorders"? diagnostic term that refers to specific problems in reading, math, or writing ability.

What are the 4 types of learning disabilities?

Learning disabilities usually fall within four broad categories:.
Spoken language-listening and speaking..
Written language-reading, writing, and spelling..
Arithmetic-calculation and concepts..
Reasoning-organization and integration of ideas and thoughts..

Which of the following is an example of a specific learning?

Hence, from the above example it is clear that Dyslexia is an example of a Specific Learning Disability.