Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a language deficit affecting approximately 7% of the general population and does not associate with any hearing impairment, neurological damage, or mental disorder. In DLD, the complications arise over time due to the learning difficulties experienced, which causes eventual cognitive delay compared to…

This article discusses the author's belief that the notion of a foreign language (FL) "disability" started with the a priori assumption that there is a unique disability for FL learning and an intimate connection between FL learning and learning disabilities (LD). Educators, clinicians, and researchers were largely uninterested in…

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…

This article examines issues related to identification of children with specific learning disorders (SLDs). The focus is on the diagnostic criteria in DSM-5. Diagnostic features, associated features supporting diagnosis, and prevalence are discussed.

This article examines issues related to identification of children with specific learning disorders (SLDs). The focus is on the Diagnostic Criteria in DSM-5 ["Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition"]. Diagnostic features, associated features supporting diagnosis, and prevalence are discussed.

English Language Learners (ELLs) are one of the fastest growing student populations throughout the country. With ELLs come unique challenges schools must navigate to best serve these students. One challenge is the identification of these students and proper placement and service within ELL programs offered by schools. Another challenge is…

This brief report summarizes research on dyslexia. It is intended to provide an initial look at this common type of learning disability that impacts 1 in 5 students. Included in the brief are links to the original source material and to supplementary resources and videos to learn more.

The study of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) has emerged as a vibrant line of inquiry over the last three decades. DCD is defined as a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by poor motor proficiency that interferes with a child's activities of daily living (sometimes also known as dyspraxia). Common symptoms include…

Learning disabilities (LDs) have long been presumed to be a neurological disorder resulting from a deficit in 1 or more cognitive processes. Although the emphasis on cognitive processing disorders has been included in the definition since the term was coined, and although it arguably represents the key distinguishing characteristic of LDs, it also…

An increase (>150%) in the number of children experiencing learning difficulties is occurring due to changes influencing identification processes within our legislative mandates (Kavale, 2005; Kavale, Holdnack, & Mostert, 2005). There are also federal mandates that set the stage for our current practice changes, a specific learning…

This study investigated Kuwaiti primary school teachers' knowledge and awareness of early signs of dyslexia among Kuwaiti students. To achieve this purpose, a survey was developed to collect data randomly from more than 700 participants of primary language teachers across Kuwait's six educational districts. The results showed that the majority of…

When the author adopted her son, she was an early childhood educator with a Master's Degree who had taught young children for eight years and directed a child care and infant-toddler center for seven. She thought she knew something about children. Actually, she had a great deal to learn. It took years for her to learn about his needs. He slowly…

Students with difficulties in specific cognitive processes and academic achievement with otherwise normal levels of intellectual functioning are classified as having a learning disability (LD). In spite of extensive recent research in a number of disciplines, controversial debate continues with regard to several issues. To reconcile some of them…

Special Educational Needs (SEN) policy and practice in England and Wales currently relies on an authoritative and accurate diagnosis of need by professionals working in partnership with parents and children. Our analysis suggests there is a "continuum of disengagement" for children and young people with SEN. This will be used as a…

The aim was to characterize the panorama of developmental disorders in 208 preschool children with a clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), referred to a specialized centre, the Autism Centre for Young Children (ACYC), for intervention. At the centre, a research team examined all children according to structured protocols and…