We understand how concerned and confused you may be if your child is struggling in school, and you’re worried that it might be due to a learning disability (LD). You’ve already taken a big, proactive step by simply visiting our website. To learn about the next steps on your "LD journey," check out our helpful videos, checklists, articles, and more below.
Is your child having difficulty at school? LD expert Dr. Sheldon Horowitz explains the first steps parents should take if they are concerned about learning disabilities. More >
Take the Checklist
It's not always easy to recognize 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.The following checklist is designed as a helpful guide and not as a tool to pinp....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 >
If you suspect that your child has a learning disability (LD), don't despair. With early recognition and targeted intervention, children with LD can achieve as well as other children do. Students whose LD is identified and addressed before they leave third grade have the best chance ....More >
Any of this sound familiar? Your child's teacher tells you that your son is having trouble sitting still in class…Every day, homework turns into a teary-eyed, hair-pulling, paper-tearing tug o' war…Your teen is caught painting graffiti on the bathroom wall…You may be baffled by behavi....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 su....More >
As your child makes his or her way through the education system, you'll find yourself attending many, many meetings, especially if your child is struggling in school and/or receiving special education services. What can you do to support the effectiveness of these meetings?
This....More >
There is only one way to know for certain if you have a learning disability: through a formal evaluation by a qualified professional who has been trained to identify learning disabilities. Such professionals may be clinical or educational psychologists, school psychologists, neuropsyc....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 >
Finding Help for Your Struggling Child
Who is this for?
This chapter is for parents who know that their child is struggling in school, but are unsure whether or not their child has a learning disability.
Why is this important?
Millions of school age children experience difficult....More >
When children who struggle with learning are the topic of conversation, the spotlight is most often turned to reading. And with good reason. Trouble with reading is by far the most prevalent characteristic of specific learning disabilities (LD). That said, math is not far behind, and ....More >
Do you think your child might have a learning disability? NCLD is here to help. Learn about the first steps you should take if you are a parent of a child who is struggling in school. For more helpful resources, check out our stage-related content or visit our "Warning Signs & Evalu....More >
Response to Intervention (RTI) is not a new idea. In fact, features of this approach to teaching have been around for more than 20 years under names like Teacher Assistance Team Model, Pre-Referral Intervention Model, Mainstream Assistance Team Model, School-Based Consultation Team Mo....More >
Once you decide to seek an evaluation, it's important that you be actively involved in the process and that you have confidence in the professional with whom you are working. Once you've selected someone to do the testing, find out about his/her skills and overall perspective by askin....More >
The first parent-teacher conference of the school year provides a great opportunity for you and your child's teacher to share insights and information. At this meeting, you can develop a relationship with the teacher and present yourself as a team player in your child's education. If ....More >
Laura Kaloi, Public Policy Director at the National Center for Learning Disabilities, explains how to request an evaluation under the Individualized with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). For more information about the LD evaluation process, visit our "Warning Signs & Evaluation" s....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 for your ....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 ed....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 >
Taking the First Step toward Special Education
Who is this for?
This chapter is for parents who are considering asking for a formal evaluation of their child (testing to determine if the child has a disability) or who have received a request from the school to have their child eva....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 apprec....More >
A New Approach to Helping Students Most At-Risk for LD
Who is this for?
This chapter is for parents who know their child is struggling in school, but are unsure whether or not their child has a learning disability.
Why is this important?
This chapter describes Response-to-Inter....More >
Who is this for?
This chapter is for the parents of students who have been referred for a formal evaluation as prescribed by IDEA, and for parents of students already eligible for special education services who are referred for a reevaluation.
Why is this important?
IDEA contains....More >
In this podcast, NCLD’s Dr. Sheldon Horowitz answers common questions on the basics of learning disabilities. Learn about how learning disabilities are identified and specific ways executive functioning and executive processing relate to learning disabilities.This is the first in a th....More >
Is your child going to be evaluated for a learning disability and eligibility for special education in her public school? If so, you’ll want to know what to expect, such the timeframe for the evaluation and the opportunities available for parent input. To better understand the propo....More >
A Helpful Guide for Parents who are Concerned about Their Child's Early Reading Skills
As the parent of a preschooler, you play an important role in your child's development. Preschoolers are continually gaining important knowledge and skills that will help them learn to read, writ....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 >
NCLD Public Policy Director Laura Kaloi explains our Parent Guide to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The guide is an essential tool for parents of children with learning disabilities. Parents might also be interested in downloading our free LD Advocates Guide....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. Fea....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-kindergarten-age....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 cost.....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 >
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 >
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