Now that your child has been identified as having a learning disability, you’re probably wondering what steps to take next. If your child attends a public school, it’s important that you partner with teachers and other school personnel to keep the process moving. It’s also important that you understand how special education works according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Each public school child who receives special education and related services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Each IEP must be designed for one student and must be a truly individualized document. The IEP creates an opportunity for teachers, parents, school admini....More >
FAPE is the acronym for a Free and Appropriate Public Education. It is one of the most misunderstood concepts of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). And it often causes the greatest conflict between parents and schools. A required component of IDEA, FAPE mandat....More >
The following is a transcription of the podcast, “Accommodations vs. Modifications: What’s the Difference? (Audio).”
In this NCLD podcast, Candace Cortiella speaks with Dr. Lindy Crawford about accommodations and modifications for students with learning disabilities (LD). Dr. C....More >
Students with learning disabilities (LD) — such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia — often need accommodations in order to complete the same assignments as other students. Accommodations do not alter the content of assignments, give students an unfair advantage, or change what a ....More >
Learning disabilities can't be cured or fixed. But with the help of certain tools and techniques, a child (or adult) with a learning disability can work around his or her difficulties in reading, writing, spelling, math, organization or memory.
Many children, adolescents and adults w....More >
Learning disabilities (LD) – what they are (and what they are not) – continue to be a source of confusion for many people. Here are some key facts to keep in mind:
What Is a Learning Disability?
A learning disability is a biological "processing" problem that impairs a person's ab....More >
Many states and local school districts are embracing a new approach to developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students receiving special education. This approach – most often referred to as "standards-based IEPs" – is driven by changes to both the Individuals with Dis....More >
While the majority of a student's program should be as closely aligned with the general education curriculum as possible, some accommodations and modifications may be necessary. Listed below are some suggested ways to aid students with specific learning disabilities learn more effect....More >
Learning the essential skills to become your child's advocate and ensure your child receives an appropriate education does not require lots of money or even years of schooling. All it requires is learning five basic skills and consistently implementing them within the school community....More >
Whether you’re working with your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to develop her very first IEP or you’re reviewing her existing IEP, you’ll want to make sure every detail and concern is addressed. Use this comprehensive checklist to determine if your child’s IEP ....More >
Coping with a child's learning disability (LD) is stressful for any parent, and the last thing you need is another demand on your time and energy. But avoiding talking about your child's LD can send a message to well-meaning family members that you're hiding something or feeling ash....More >
If a bear cub wanders into your campsite, you know to be extra cautious — because you know somewhere in the underbrush there's a mama bear ready to protect her young. As a parent, your instinct is to protect your child. When it comes to making sure your child is being afforded every....More >
Are you:
Having difficulty adapting to new social situations;
Not being sure how to ask for help (and from whom);
Looking to peers for how to respond (rather than forming an independent opinion), and,
Missing social cues or having trouble reading nonverbal cues (for examp....More >
Who is this for?
This chapter is for parents whose child has been formally evaluated for special education services and has already been found eligible to receive special education and related services as required by IDEA.
Why is this important?
The Individualized Education Pro....More >
Here are ten initial ways that parents can help their children with learning disabilities (LD).
Learn more about learning disabilities
Information on learning disabilities can help you understand that your child does not learn in the same way as other people do. Find out as ....More >
Your child with learning disabilities may benefit greatly from the one-on-one attention provided by a qualified tutor. Tutors, working closely with parents and teachers, can help children in various ways: reinforcing specific subject matter, helping with homework, suggesting improve....More >
The following is a transcription of the podcast, "Learning Disabilities: Sorting Fact from Fiction (audio)." In this podcast, Dr. Sheldon Horowitz answers questions about some of the myths and facts connected to learning disabilities (LD). He also talks about key qualities shared by ....More >
Who is this for?
This chapter is for parents whose child has already been formally evaluated for special education services.
Why is this important?
For students suspected of having a Specific Learning Disability (SLD), IDEA requires that schools use several procedures that are....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 >
Good News, Bad News
You take your child to the doctor because he is not feeling well. There are very specific questions and concerns that you would like to have addressed. After repeated examinations (perhaps by a number of different specialists), different kinds of testing and lot....More >
When you are making a decision about how to seek support for your child at school it’s important to know your options to request help under the federal law. There are two laws for K-12 students in public school that may offer supports and services: the Individuals with Disabilities Ed....More >
The first step to being an effective LD advocate is understanding the issue and how to talk about it. Your personal experiences may be motivating you, but it is important to educate yourself about the facts and figures and broaden your understanding of LD beyond what you've learned th....More >
Laura Kaloi, Public Policy Director at the National Center for Learning Disabilities, explains the ins and outs of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). For more information about IEPs, see our "What Is an IEP?" article or download helpful resources, like our IEP checklist for ....More >
If you have a child who is receiving special education services, you're more than likely to be very involved with your child's school and teacher — including planning, reviewing, and assessing your child's educational program. Over time, you will learn a lot about the special educati....More >
The dictionary defines the word asset as "a useful and desirable thing or quality." For a child, "assets" are their areas of strength. Over the last 20 years a number of research studies have been conducted that have identified 40 qualities or characteristics in youth that reduce the ....More >
After your child’s public school identifies her learning disability, they’ll determine whether or not she’s eligible for special education services. Before a determination meeting takes place, you’ll want to know what to expect, such the school district’s criteria for eligibility an....More >
Your child is now eligible for an IEP. Should you get involved in the process? Is it recommended that your child be a part of this process? Markay Winston, Ph.D., provides important insights into these two important questions. To learn more about IEPs, read our "What Is an IEP?" ar....More >
Let’s get a few things on the table right up front. There is no shame in having a learning disability (LD). Learning disabilities are not the result of laziness or inadequate instruction. They are not the same as hearing or vision impairments and are not a mild form of intellectual di....More >
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides options for resolving disputes between schools and parents. Two of these options are state complaints and due process complaints. Either of these options could be used to address matters involving a school district’s dela....More >
When we think about grief and loss, the first things that come to mind are illness and death — very tangible, linear events that have a beginning, a middle, and an end which result in significant, emotional impact. But, what about the events in our lives that are not so black and whit....More >
Special education teacher and learning disabilities expert Meg Randall explains effective strategies parents of children with learning disabilities can use when communicating with teachers. For more information about working with educators, visit our "Parent-Teacher Relationship" s....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 >
Once you learn that your child has a learning disability (LD), you’re undoubtedly wondering how to get your child the services he needs to be successful in school. But services are not automatically given to students when they are identified as having LD. A diagnosis of LD does not me....More >
Given the complexity of the IEP and IEP process—and its importance to a child’s education—it’s understandable that parents often feel overwhelmed. In fact, the whole IEP process can be an emotional roller coaster, as we learned from a survey we conducted in 2012. We asked parents what....More >
Lyn Pollard & her two children
As the parent of a child with a learning disability or other learning difficulty, you’ve probably done your homework. You’ve read up on your child’s special needs, learned about what services he or she needs, and maybe even have a 504 plan or an IE....More >
Often undiagnosed in children and teens, dyslexia impacts an estimated 15% of people and is a lifelong challenge for the individual diagnosed and for his or her parents, siblings, and teachers. NCLD is here to help navigate what can be a confusing time for both you and your child. We'....More >
My child is struggling 
Now that my child has 
