If your child struggles with schoolwork and is falling behind, he or she may have a learning disability (LD). If your child has warning signs of LD, don't wait to take action. Early identification through a formal evaluation process may help to qualify your child for the types of services and supports essential to ensuring your child's progress in school.
NCLD Public Policy Director Laura Kaloi—who's also the mother of a child with LD—explains how to request an evaluation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in this helpful video. More >
Our new e-book, 50 Questions About LD, is filled with answers to common LD questions. Topics include: how to deal with the “LD” label, RTI and working with your child’s school, the emotional impact of learning disabilities at school and home, preparing teens for college and work, and related issues like AD/HD and giftedness. More >
It's not always easy to recognize learning disabilities. The following checklist is designed as a helpful guide and not as a tool to pinpoint specific learning disabilities. If you or someone you know displays the signs described in our LD Checklist, it's time to seek additional information or help. More >
If you suspect that a child has dyslexia, an evaluation can lead to a better understanding of the problem and to recommendations for treatment. Test results are also used to determine state and local eligibility for special education services, as well as eligibility for support progra... More >
Everyone has trouble from time to time remembering names, balancing a checkbook, following directions, etc. For most people, these are not problems that they experience on a routine basis. For others, however, problems with learning and applying information interfere with their daily... More >
Si usted sospecha que su hijo tiene una discapacidad de aprendizaje (DA), no se desespere. Con el reconocimiento temprano y la intervención focalizada, los niños con DA pueden obtener los mismos logros que los otros niños. Los alumnos a los que se les identifica una DA y reciben tr... More >
Your NameYour Street AddressYour City and StateYour Phone NumberDatePrincipal's NameSchool NameSchool AddressReference: Student's NameDOB: Student's date of birthSchool: Name of School and enrolled gradeDear XXXXXXX: I am writing to you because my child is experiencing difficulties i... More >
As a parent, one of the most important things you can do to help your child get a good education is to understand how she learns – especially if you are concerned that she may be struggling in school. But sometimes knowing what to do and where to find help can be confusing. If you s... More >
Children take different paths while learning to read. For some children, learning to read may seem effortless. Others may struggle with the same kinds of learning that appears to come naturally to other children their age. So when should you be concerned?Even when children develop dif... More >
You can't determine a person's strengths and weaknesses simply by looking at him or her. And you can't fully understand your own strengths and weaknesses without making the effort to recognize exactly what they are. That's why it's important to follow a systematic approach to discove... More >
Intelligent Thinking vs. Intelligence Testing
Much has been written during the past three decades about approaches to evaluation and decision-making regarding who does and does not qualify for the classification of specific learning disabilities (LD). The vast majority of students ... More >
The following is a transcription of the podcast, “A Parent's Perspective — LD Evaluation in the Public Schools (audio).”
The topic of this NCLD podcast is the process of evaluation for learning disabilities (LD) done by the public school. This transcript captures Can... More >
Your Name
Your Street Address
Your City and State
Your Phone Number
Date
Evaluation Team Leader
School Name
School Address
Reference: Student’s Name
DOB: Student’s date of birth
School: Name of School and enrolled grade
Dear XXXXXXX:
Thank you ... More >
If you suspect that your child has a learning disability (LD), identification through a formal evaluation will help you know for sure. An evaluation will allow you to better understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses in learning, and may help to qualify your child for special ... More >
From annual school check-ups to coughs and fevers, scraped knees, mysterious rashes, swollen glands and a host of other common (and not-so-common) symptoms, physicians and parents are partners in providing the best medical care possible to children and adolescents. Together with paren... More >
NCLD advisory board member Dr. Donald Deshler talks about the National Research Center for Learning Disabilities (NRCLD) and its impact on LD identification across the nation.
A note from Dr. Sheldon Horowitz of NCLD
Once you've read this interview (and I recommend that you re... More >
RTI (Response to Intervention) plays a critical role in how students are identified as having a disability and needing special education services. For many years, putting struggling students into special education was the only option. Requirements for special education eligibility wer... More >
The following is a transcription of the podcast, “A Parent's Perspective Taking the Private Route for LD Evaluation (audio).”
This NCLD podcast focuses on the process of evaluation for learning disabilities using a private evaluator. Read about the conversation be... More >
In this Parent Perspective, a mother describes in heartfelt detail how she first noticed her preschool daughter’s speech and language delay — and the journey that followed. After seeking advice from private professionals and public school psychologists and teachers, she came to ap... More >
When you’re concerned about the progress your child is (or isn’t) making in school, what do you do? Where can you turn to for help?
This audio podcast features an interview with parent Judith Halden, who offers her tips, guidance, and perspective for parents who may be cons... More >
The following is a transcription of the podcast, “A Parent's Perspective -- The Parent Role in the LD Evaluation Process.”
NCLD: On behalf of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, it’s my pleasure to introduce Judith Halden, a videographer and parent of a young adul... More >
When parents are concerned that their child isn’t making appropriate academic progress, what steps do they need to take and when?
This audio podcast features an interview with parent Judith Halden, who offers her tips, guidance, and expertise about going through the LD ev... More >
There is no single “test” or even universally accepted approach to identifying learning disabilities (LD). The characteristics of LD often differ from one child to another, and what LD looks like in children will sometimes manifest in very different ways in adolescents and adults... More >
If you have recently found out your child has a learning disability (LD) you are probably feeling overwhelmed with stress, information, and pressure to make decisions about what’s best for your child. NCLD is here to give parents like you the resources, guidance, and support you ne... More >
If the school informs you that they are using Response to Intervention (RTI), you should go ahead and request an evaluation in writing as soon as you think your child may have a disability. Making this request is critical because your written consent puts a 60-day timeframe on both th... More >
Get Ready To Read! is a service of the National Center for Learning Disabilities designed to support parents, educators, and young children in the development of early literacy skills. There, you’ll find two free screening schools that provide a “snapshot” of your pre-kindergart... More >
If you suspect that your child has a learning disability (LD) there are steps you can take to help your child succeed in school. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) gives parents the right to request a formal evaluation from their child’s school district at no cos... More >
My child is struggling 
Now that my child has 
