Definitions
Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) are defined in the Individual Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) as “a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations.”
Disorders included: Conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia
Disorders not included: Learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of mental retardation, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage (IDEA, Sec. 300.8 (C) (10), 2018)
Perform & Journal
The following video takes you through an exercise to experience what it is like to have a learning disability. You will need to have a sheet of paper and a writing utensil (pen, pencil, etc.). There are two exercises. Complete the first one and answer the questions before completing the second exercise.
Video: What is it like to have a reading disability? (3:32)
Reflect on the first exercise and answer the questions from the video:
- Do you remember the sentence you copied?
- How did you feel when you were writing?
- How does your hand feel?
Now, follow the next exercise and reflect:
- What do you think of your sentence?
- What problems appear in your writing?
- What grade would you give yourself based on your work?