Learning Disabilities/Specific Learning Disorders

What it is

A formal exceptionality, identified by an Identification Placement and Review Committee (IPRC), in the category of Communication. Learning Disabilities are also a diagnosed psychological condition.



Ontario Ministry of Education Definition notebook pencil

A learning disorder, evident in both academic situations and social perception/interaction. Learning disabilities may also cause difficulties with organizational skills. LD involves one or more of the processes necessary for the proper use of spoken language or the symbols of communication, and is characterized by a condition that:

a) Is not primarily the result of:
• impairment of vision;
• impairment of hearing;
• physical handicap;
• developmental disability;
• primary emotional disturbance;
• cultural difference.

b) Results in a significant discrepancy between academic achievement and assessed intellectual ability with deficits in one or more of the following:
• receptive language (listening, reading);
• language processing (thinking, conceptualizing, integrating);
• expressive language (talking, spelling, writing);
• mathematical computations; and

c) May be associated with one or more conditions diagnosed as:
• a perceptual handicap;
• a brain injury;
• minimal brain dysfunction;
• dyslexia;
• developmental aphasia

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Resources

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition
Used by non-teacher medical and/or psychological professionals to diagnosis various conditions.

PowerPoint overview of changes to the criteria for the diagnosis of a learning disability as per the DSM-v

Integra, located in Toronto, is a children's mental health centre, dedicated to helping children and adolescents who experience social, emotional and behavioural problems related to their learning disabilities.

Developed by the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, this site is the first resource of its kind, dedicated to serving the needs of Ontario’s educators by providing information, research, and resources related to teaching students with learning disabilities.

Information on non-verbal learning disabilities.

Symptoms, causes and strategies.

Symptoms, causes and strategies

A resource centre for various types of learning disabilities and their causes, diagnoses, and treatments from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

Student Needs IPRC Exceptionalites Diagnosed Conditions