Tonia Humble Email Mrs. Humble 651-683-6969 VM #94279	Rebecca Sonsalla Email Mrs. Sonsalla 651-683-6969 VM #93291

ABOUT THE SLD/DCD PROGRAM AT RED PINE:

Students with a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) and students who have a Developmental Cognitive Disability (DCD) receive additional instruction in the areas of reading, written language and math in a small group setting. Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade meet with a Learning Disabilities teacher on a daily basis.

WHAT IS A LEARNING DISABILITY?

According to the federal government approximately five percent of school age children are labeled learning disabled and receive special education services. Students with learning disabilities are children who are of average to above average intelligence yet their performance in school is not anywhere near their potential. A specific learning disability is demonstrated by a significant discrepancy between a child's intellectual ability and their actual achievement or performance in reading, math and/or written language. Along with a severe discrepancy, a specific learning disability is also demonstrated by severe underachievement in the regular education classroom and information processing problems. A learning disability may manifest itself in a variety of ways. No two students with a learning disability display the same problems.

Characteristics of a Learning Disability:

• can't sound out words, skips lines while reading, skips words
• reverses order of sounds in words
• confuses letters such as 'b' and 'd'
• writes letters and numbers backwards
• sequences words in an odd manner
• unusual spelling errors
• confuses addition and subtraction symbols
• short attention span, easily distracted
• disorganized
• inconsistent performance

DID YOU KNOW?

Some very famous people grew up with a learning disability, yet did not give up. Woodrow Wilson did not learn to read until age 11. Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison both had difficulties with mathematics in school. Ann Bancroft, the first woman to the North Pole, had trouble learning to read. Greg Louganis and Bruce Jenner had severe learning problems in school.

A Specific learning disability is complicated and difficult to define. If you have further questions or would like more information about this topic, please feel free to contact a learning disabilities teacher at Red Pine. If you have concerns regarding your own child's progress in school, please talk with his/her classroom teacher.

One resource that may be helpful if you have any questions is www.ldonline.org