The specific learning disability (SLD) category covers a specific group of learning challenges. These conditions affect a child’s ability to read, write, listen, speak, reason, or do math. To find information on specific learning disabilities, please click on the topics below:
Arizona Department of Education AT Short Term Loan Library
Arizona Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services works in partnership with Northern Arizona University Institute for Human Development Arizona Technology Access Program to make available at no cost, a wide variety of assistive technology devices, equipment, software, and professional development materials to school personnel to improve access to assistive technology.
Publisher: Arizona Department of Education
Assistive Technology
This module offers an overview of assistive technology (AT) with a focus on students with high-incidence disabilities such as learning disabilities and ADHD. It explores the consideration process, implementation, and evaluation of AT for these students.
Publication Date: 2025
Publisher: Iris Center Vanderbilt University
Design Options for Strategy Development
The UDL framework typically involves efforts to expand executive capacity by scaffolding lower-level skills so that they require less executive processing and by scaffolding higher level executive skills and strategies so that they are more effective and developed. This guideline specifically addresses ways to provide scaffolding for executive functions.
Publication Date: 2018
Publisher: CAST
Evaluation Process
This AZ-TAS document provides a step-by-step guide to the procedures for use throughout the
evaluation process, including reviewing existing data, determining the need for additional
data, obtaining parent consent, conducting any needed assessments, and determining
eligibility.
Publication Date: Updated August 2024
Publisher: Arizona Department of Education
Executive Functions (Part 1): Understanding Why Some Students Struggle
This module explores executive functions and explains why many students struggle with cognitive processes related to learning. It then examines why it's critical for teachers to explicitly teach these students when, where, and how to use effective study strategies to help them succeed academically.
Publication Date: 2022
Publisher: IRIS Center Peabody College Vanderbilt University
Executive Functions (Part 2): Strategies to Improve Students’ Academic Performance
This companion to the Executive Functions (Part 1) module reiterates the importance of teachers providing explicit instruction to students with executive function difficulties on the use of effective strategies. It then overviews a number of these strategies: graphic organizers, note-taking, mnemonics, organizing materials, time management, comprehension strategies, and self-regulation strategies.
Publication Date: 2022
Publisher: IRIS Center Peabody College Vanderbilt University
High-Leverage Practices for Students with Disabilities
This revised and updated guide includes four domains of evidence-based practices: Collaboration, Data-Driven Planning, Instruction in Behavior and Academics, and Intensify and Intervene As Needed.
Each domain includes descriptions of Pillar Practices and embedded High-Leverage Practices, provides elementary and secondary examples of practice, research updates, and relevant resources for more information.
Publication Date: March 2024
Publishers: Council for Exceptional Children and CEEDAR Center
HLP Videos
These videos accompany High-Leverage Practices for Students with Disabilities and provide revised and updated information supporting the four domains. The videos provide High-Leverage Practices within each domain and concrete examples to anchor and reinforce both knowledge development and application.
Publisher: CEEDAR Center
Learning Disabilities and Disorders in Children
This article discusses signs and symptoms of learning disabilities and disorders for preschool age children, ages 5-9, and ages 10-13. Types of learning disorders are listed with explanations of problems each disorder may create.
Publication Date: Updated January 2025
Publisher to: HelpGuide.org
Mobile Technology in the Classroom
This research to practice guide provides detailed information for the benefits and barriers to students with learning disabilities using smartphones and tablets for teaching and learning purposes.
Authors: Shobana Musti-Rao and Zachary Walker
Publication Date: 2017
Publisher: Council for Learning Disabilities
Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Technology Devices and Services
This document is designed to increase understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA’s) assistive technology (AT) requirements, dispel common misconceptions regarding AT, and provide examples of the use of AT devices and services for children with disabilities and to highlight the different requirements under Part C and Part B of IDEA.
Publication Date: January 2024
Publisher: U.S. Department of Education
Principles for SLD Eligibility: Practice & Policy Considerations for States and School Districts
This document describes school-level practices and policy considerations for states and school districts to encourage comprehensive, timely evaluations for special education for children suspected to have a specific learning disability.
Publication Date: December 2023
Publisher: National Center for Learning Disabilities
Quick Guide to Specific Learning Disorder
Students with learning disorders often face difficulties in acquiring academic skills due to neurological differences that affect how their brains process information. This article defines specific learning disorders, lists early signs of dyslexia and dyscalculia, and explains how specific learning disorder are diagnosed and treated.
Author: Rachel Ganz
Publication Date: Updated November 2024
Publisher: Child Mind Institute
Six Key Instructional Practices for Accelerating Learning and Promoting Progress for Students with Disabilities
This webinar highlights six high-leverage, evidence-based practices shown to support implementation of high-quality instructional programming for students with and at risk for disabilities regardless of their identified disability category or grade span.
Authors: Daniel Maggin, Gena Nelson, Sarah Powell, and Kary Zarate
Publication Date: August 2021
Publisher: PROGRESS Center at the American Institutes for Research
Supporting the Emotional Needs of Kids With Learning Disabilities
This article explores how having a learning disability may affect children emotionally. It identifies why kids with a learning disability might be struggling with low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression, and offers ways to help them.
Author: Rachel Ehmke
Publication Date: Updated June 2025
Publisher: Child Mind Institute
Symptoms of Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are a generic set of disorders that have a wide array of behavioral manifestations. This article offers a sampling of these specific disorders and their symptoms.
Author: Rick Lavoie
Publication Date: 2018
Publishers: LD Online
The 10 Essentials to Keep in Mind When Working with Children with LD
This article describes how to effectively understand, manage, and control the behavior of children with learning disabilities through developing and subscribing to a philosophy that you trust and believe in fully.
Author: Rick Lavoie
Publication Date: 2018
Publishers: LD Online
The Path to Success for Students with Specific Learning Disabilities
A specific learning disability is a brain-based disorder that affects an individual’s ability to read, write, and do math (e.g., dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia). This video overview explains current gaps within our public school system and what we can do to ensure the success of students with learning disabilities.
Publication Date: December 2023
Publisher: National Center for Learning Disabilities
Understanding, Educating, and Supporting Children with Specific Learning Disabilities: 50 Years of Science and Practice
This synthesis of historical and contemporary trends in research and practice of Specific Learning Disabilities addresses manifestations, occurrence, identification, comorbidity, etiology, and treatment of SLD, emphasizing the integration of information from the interdisciplinary fields of psychology, education, psychiatry, genetics, and cognitive neuroscience.
Authors: Elena Grigorenko, Donald Compton, Lynn Fuchs, Richard Wagner, Erik Willcutt, and Jack Fletcher
Publication Date: January 2020
Publisher: American Psychologist
What Are Learning Disabilities? Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Learning disabilities are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that can significantly hamper a person’s ability to learn new things. This article explores the types, causes, symptoms, and treatment of learning disabilities.
Author: Sanjana Gupta
Publication Date: May 2024
Publisher: Verywell Mind
What Is Specific Learning Disorder?
This article defines specific learning disabilities and offers information on diagnosis, types, severity levels, and treatment.
Physician Reviewers: Dr. Latoya Frolov and Dr. Mary Ann Schaepper
Publication Date: August 2021
Publisher: American Psychiatric Association