In the SEND Code of Practice (DfE, 2015), autism falls under the broad category of Communication and Interaction needs. However, the code also states that autistic children and young people "may have needs that cut across all areas" of SEND (DfE, 2025, p.85). Autistic children may experience sensory processing differences (i.e.…

Response to intervention (RTI) is a method for providing academic support to students and for identifying specific learning disabilities (SLDs). Using interrupted time series and hazard models, we examined if statewide RTI adoption in the U.S. state of Tennessee was associated with changes in rates of SLD and first-time SLD identification in…

Twice-exceptional (2e) students face many barriers to learning opportunities due to their combinations of giftedness and learning disabilities. If 2e students are referred to special education teachers such as resource teachers of learning and behaviour (RTLB), challenges may be encountered when RTLB lack knowledge of twice-exceptionality. This…

This article defines the term twice-exceptional as being gifted (highly able) and having challenges with learning or physical disabilities. The focus is on understanding these children, who are brilliant in one way but at the same time in some situations are at risk. The biggest challenges they face are misunderstanding and misdiagnosis. This…

Although Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 5% of children, the disorder is more frequently seen in males than in females, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 2:1 in children (APA 2013). This discrepancy in prevalence is suggested to lie in the differences in ADHD symptomatology between girls and boys.…

The importance of accurate identification and high-quality intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is indisputable. Clinicians from multiple professions need adequate knowledge of ASD to make appropriate referrals to specialists, conduct thorough evaluations, and provide effective interventions. ASD knowledge development…

Background: Despite extensive research on the specific learning disorder (developmental dyslexia) -- SLD (DD), many fallacies still cause confusion amongst professionals worldwide. These myths involve the characteristics, diagnoses and treatment of SLD (DD) and should be eradicated. Aim: The authors aimed to determine the knowledge, needs and…

Multi-exceptional children often have deficits in auditory, visual, or sensory processing. As few psychologists have training in modalities, these deficits may be misdiagnosed as AD/HD, Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Autism, Dyslexia, or a host of personality disorders. This article describes the symptoms of these processing deficits and offers…

Students with learning difficulties form the largest group of students with additional needs in Australian mainstream classrooms. However the terminology surrounding these students differs broadly across the country. A consistent and shared understanding of the term learning difficulties is vital, as this impacts the identification and equitable…

Researchers have found that teachers do not always understand how to educate students with dyslexia. The research problem addressed in this study was this gap in knowledge leading to a gap in practice regarding teaching students with dyslexia. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine how and if third-grade general education…

The Dyslexia Pilot Project provided funding to school districts to implement a multitiered system of support (MTSS) framework for the prevention, early identification, and early intervention of reading difficulties. This article describes the evaluation of the multiyear Dyslexia Pilot Project for students in kindergarten through Grade 2. The…

Purpose: Best practice for developmental stuttering remains a topic of debate. In the clinical forum following the introduction, four fluency experts balance the evidence and expertise to describe their approach to assessment and treatment.

Anti-Black racism is a pervasive issue in the autism field that affects the autism service pathway, which ranges from identification of concerns to ongoing service navigation. In this short report, we provide a working model of the autism service pathway and highlight ways in which anti-Black racism affects all components of the pathway. We…

One of the earliest indicators of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is delay in language and social communication. Despite consensus on the benefits of earlier diagnosis and intervention, our understanding of the language growth of children with ASD during the first years of life remains limited. Therefore, this study compared communication growth…

In the SEND Code of Practice, the area of Communication and Interaction includes children and young people with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN). These children and young people may have difficulty with one, some or all of the different aspects of speech, language or social communication that may vary across development. This…