About 32% of 7.3 million students aged 3–21 who received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) have a specific learning disability (SLD). But what exactly is a specific learning disability, and what should you expect from an SLD diagnosis?
In this article, Ability Central answers the most common questions about SLDs, including:
What is a specific learning disability (SLD)?
Is a specific learning disability the same thing as a learning disability?
What are the types of specific learning disabilities?
What causes specific learning disabilities?
How are specific learning disabilities diagnosed?
What conditions mimic or co-exist with SLDs?
What should I expect from the school after an SLD diagnosis?
What happens if a learning disability goes untreated?
How does a specific learning disability affect communication?
Where can I find help for SLDs?
What is a specific learning disability (SLD)?
A specific learning disorder or specific learning disability is the term used to describe neurodevelopmental disorders that affect how someone’s brain takes in and processes information. SLDs involve consistent difficulty in math, reading, or writing.
The [Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) says an SLD may challenge a person’s ability to do any of the following:
Listen
Think
Speak
Read
Write
Spell
Calculate
Other terms that refer to an SLD diagnosis include:
Slow learning disability
Specific language disorder
Specific learning disorder
Is a specific learning disability the same thing as a learning disability?
Yes. The terms can be used interchangeably, although sometimes we use “specific” learning disability for disabilities that affect a “specific” type of learning. For example, dyscalculia can be considered a specific learning disability because it specifically affects math.
Specific learning disorders are the same as learning disorders, with the same caveat.
What are the types of specific learning disabilities (SLDs)?
Specific learning disorders fall under the umbrella term “learning disability.” Two of the most common learning disabilities are dyslexia and dysgraphia. The full list of SLDs include:
Dyslexia, a language-processing disorder or reading disability that causes difficulty with speaking, reading, writing, or understanding words.
Dysgraphia, or difficulty putting thoughts into writing. Challenges include vocabulary, spelling, grammar, memory, handwriting, and critical thinking.
Dyscalculia, sometimes called math dyslexia, a math learning disability that causes difficulty with numbers and concepts, counting money, reading clocks, mental calculations, and reasoning.
Auditory processing disorder (APD), when the brain misinterprets auditory information.
Language processing disorder (LPD), a subset of APD. Someone with LPD has difficulty processing spoken language.
Nonverbal learning disabilities (NVLDs), or non-verbal learning disorders. NVLDs occur when someone struggles to interpret nonverbal cues.
Visual perceptual or visual motor deficit, when someone has difficulty with hand-eye coordination and motor activities.
What causes specific learning disabilities?
There is no individual cause for a specific learning disability, but researchers have identified certain genetic and environmental factors that may play a role in SLD development. SLDs can be managed with appropriate intervention strategies.
Risk factors for SLDs include:
A family history of SLDs
Premature birth, or complications during birth that blocked oxygen flow to the brain
Fetal exposure to alcohol or other substances
A history of speech and language developmental delay
Malnutrition
Severe illness in early childhood, like meningitis
Exposure to environmental toxins, like lead
Severe trauma or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Development of other conditions like cerebral palsy or Down’s syndrome
It’s important to note that physical sensory issues like hearing loss or low vision do not cause SLDs—instead, they are considered separate types of disability. Learning disabilities are not preventable, but it’s possible to reduce risk factors like malnutrition or toxin exposure.
How are specific learning disabilities diagnosed?
Because teachers and parents are usually the first to notice symptoms, specific learning disabilities are often detected in elementary school. The diagnosis is made based on two tests:.
A general intelligence (or IQ) test.
A standardized achievement test that includes reading, writing, and arithmetic.
If there is a large discrepancy between the scores—for example, a child has a very high IQ but scored low on reading—that may be an indicator of an SLD.
Some states, schools, and nonprofit organizations offer services for kids with SLDs based on the difference between these scores. A difference of 15 points or more is solid criteria for an SLD, although specific diagnosis will need to come from a special educator or assessment team.
The assessment team will look at the child’s learning difficulties. The team will include:
The child’s parents.
The child’s classroom teacher.
A person qualified to conduct the exams, such as a school psychologist, speech-language pathologist (SLP), or remedial reading teacher.
What conditions mimic or co-exist with SLDs?
SLDs are often linked to other neurological and psychological conditions, particularly in young children. One study found that of 3,014 children with one or more SLDs:
21% also had an anxiety disorder.
28% also had depression.
22% also had conduct disorder.
28% also had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Nearly 3 in 10 children with an SLD also have ADHD—however, some symptoms of SLDs may be mistaken for conditions like ADHD, and vice versa. To learn more about ADHD, see What is the difference between ADD and ADHD?
### What should I expect from the school after an SLD diagnosis?
Schools can help students with SLDs in the following ways:
* Accommodations to the curriculum with supportive or assistive resources.
* Modifications, including providing services to reduce the effect of the learning disability.
* Remediation to decrease the severity of the learning disability.
* An individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan that defines a child’s academic goals and the assistance the school offers to help meet those milestones.
What happens if a learning disability goes untreated?
If a learning disability is not detected, diagnosed, and treated, it can cause additional problems, including:
Emotional difficulties like feelings of sadness, frustration, or disappointment.
Behavioral problems.
Frustration within the family unit.
Among children whose families seek professional help for behavioral or emotional issues, 30-50% have some kind of learning disability.
Similarly, adults with untreated learning disabilities may grow up thinking there is something wrong with them. Low grades or poor self-esteem could create obstacles for earning a degree or landing a coveted job.
How does a specific learning disability affect communication?
Someone with an SLD may struggle to understand others or to make themselves understood. This can be frustrating and alienating, especially if someone can’t use things like social media because of an SLD.
People with SLDs rely on more communication than just words. They often need:
People willing to listen and follow their lead in conversations.
A person’s tone and body language to match their words.
Simple, accessible word choices rather than jargon.
Where can I find help for SLDs?
Ability Central has a searchable database of nonprofits that can help with everything from diagnosis to treatment. Use our Service Locator to find an organization near you focused on specific learning disabilities.
The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is one of many umbrella organizations that help people with various learning disabilities.
In addition, Ability Central hosts a library of articles on:
