PARENTS RIGHT TO KNOW
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Parent Information
TEN QUICK Q&A’S ABOUT LEARNING DISABILITIES
1. What do I do if I think my child has a learning disability?
Contact your child's teacher and the Director of Special Education, on the School District level and request an evaluation. It is important to put this in writing, dated and signed, and include what you feel the child’s problems are. The first thing you want to request as an evaluation is the "Present Levels of Performance. Use the Focus of Concern form as part of your evaluation request. The school needs guidance on what to look for to be able to do the correct evaluations.
The school has 45 days to complete the evaluation process. You must sign a form called "Permission to Evaluate" before they can do any evaluations at all. You will also have to sign a form called "Exchange of Confidential Information" where you name the professional or family doctor you have used previously for your child. This gives the school more information especially if the child or teen has been already diagnosed with a disability, disorder or syndrome.
****Note: School Psychologists are not allowed to diagnose any disabilities at all. They are not state licensed but only "Endorsed" by the School District. Only outside Psychologists, who are licensed in the state you live, are legally allowed to diagnose.
2. What causes a learning disability?
There are many factors, such as central nervous system disorders and genetic factors, that have been suggested as causes of a learning disability, but no one cause has been determined.There are many factors, such as central nervous system disorders and genetic factors, that have been suggested as causes of a learning disability, but no one cause has been determined.
3. Do children outgrow a learning disability?
No. However, with the right treatment they can learn "strategies" to compensate for their disability. This will be developed on the Individualized Educations Plan (IEP) that you and the school District IEP team develop specifically for your child or teen.No. However, with the right treatment they can learn "strategies" to compensate for their disability. This will be developed on the Individualized Educations Plan (IEP) that you and the school District IEP team develop specifically for your child or teen.
****Remember, according to the law of IDEA, you, the parent, are a full partner in the development of the IEP. Click here for the laws of IDEA that protect your child in the public school system.
4. Do all children with learning disabilities have Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)?
No. About one-third of all children classified as learning disabled also have AD/HD. No. About one-third of all children classified as learning disabled also have AD/HD.
****AD/HD stands for Attention Deficient Disorder or Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder.
5. Is one reading approach more effective for students with learning disabilities?
To date there is not enough research to suggest one approach is better thanTo date there is not enough research to suggest one approach is better than
another. The most effective approach is one that teaches with a focus on the students' strengths while remediating the weakness.
6. Should students with learning disabilities be educated in the regular classroom?
Most students with learning disabilities are educated in regular classrooms with support (usually the resource room). However, the individual needs of the student must be considered when making a decision about class placement. All of the needs and placement of your child or teen MUST be held at an IEP meeting with the School District, and you, the parent. The school district cannot hold the IEP meeting without you. Most students with learning disabilities are educated in regular classrooms with support (usually the resource room). However, the individual needs of the student must be considered when making a decision about class placement. All of the needs and placement of your child or teen MUST be held at an IEP meeting with the School District, and you, the parent. The school district cannot hold the IEP meeting without you.
7. Are students with learning disabilities classified as special education students?
Yes. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), students who are eligible for classification as learning disabled are considered Special Education Students. Yes. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), students who are eligible for classification as learning disabled are considered Special Education Students.
****Remember - "Special Education is a Service……..Not a Place".
8. Does the label "learning disabled" stay on students' school records?
Upon completion of high school, or at the end of age 21, all information related to the disability is removed. All that remains are name, address, phone number, and a listing of courses taken. Upon completion of high school, or at the end of age 21, all information related to the disability is removed. All that remains are name, address, phone number, and a listing of courses taken.
****It is at the advice of ADHD Child Advocate Services that the IEP paperwork should follow the teen to the college of his choice, or work place, so that appropriate accommodations are made by the College or job site for success. Most people do not want their employers to know they have a disability but in the long run it can save your job!
9. Can students with learning disabilities go to college?
Yes. In fact there are hundreds of colleges throughout the United States that have programs specifically for students with learning disabilities. Click here for Colleges that are specifically designed for the Learning Disabled. Yes. In fact there are hundreds of colleges throughout the United States that have programs specifically for students with learning disabilities. Click here for Colleges that are specifically designed for the Learning Disabled.
10. What do I do if the school / district will not evaluate my child or teen?Go to, on the menu page, "What to do if the School or District just won’t listen".
ADHD Library
Remember…Whatever we do, we do it for the kids.
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Rose Moore
