what is sld in special education

SLD stands for Specific Learning Disability, which is a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, spoken or written, that may manifest as an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations. SLD is included in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as a specific learning disability. According to the IDEA, SLD does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of intellectual disability, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage. To qualify for an Individual Education Plan (IEP), a specific disability must be identified according to Federal guidelines. Special education services can help children with learning disabilities improve reading, writing, and math.