Specific Learning Disability
Disability CategoriesDefinition
A disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, spoken or written, that affects the ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations. This is the most common disability category under IDEA and includes conditions like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
Have questions about SLD?
Upload your child's IEP and ask the AI how SLD applies to your specific situation — with citations from your state's laws.
Ask the AI About SLDComparison Guides
Related Articles
Considering changing your child's IEP eligibility category from Other Health Impairment to Specific Learning Disability? Learn what this means for IEP services, especially in spelling and decoding, and how to prepare for your next IEP meeting.
Considering a shift from Other Health Impairment to Specific Learning Disability for your child? Discover how this change could impact their educational support.
Related Terms
A specific learning disability that affects reading and related language-based processing skills. Dyslexia affects the ability to decode words (read fluently), spell, and sometimes comprehend text. It is neurological in origin and is not related to intelligence. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability.
A specific learning disability that affects writing ability, including handwriting, spelling, and the ability to organize thoughts on paper. Students with dysgraphia may have difficulty with letter formation, spacing, fine motor coordination for writing, and translating ideas into written language.
A specific learning disability that affects a person's ability to understand and work with numbers and mathematical concepts. Students with dyscalculia may struggle with number sense, memorizing math facts, telling time, counting money, and understanding mathematical operations.
More in Disability Categories
Navigate the IEP process with confidence
IEP Advocate.ai uses AI to help you understand your child's documents, know your rights, and prepare for IEP meetings — backed by your state's laws.
Start Your Free Trial