Hi Arlyn--

Let me clarify, because I think we are talking about two different things.
When my daughters got the psychological evaluations, I was told that kids
with LD often had average or above average intelligence.  That's not in the
VA description, however (which I just looked up out of curiosity).  So there
may be some confusion on my part between the psych descriptions and the
academic descriptions.  I think this is probably common since many parents
must get their children evaluated outside of school (via a psychiatrist)
before the school will test them for learning disabilities.  At least, this
has been my experience in this state.

Let me also say I'm not an expert in this field. I'm a parent who also works
in education, and I am hoping to learn more via these lists (which have been
exceedingly helpful).  I think parents and educators sometimes know there is
something wrong with their children and/or students, but they can't tell you
WHAT is wrong.  That's where the diagnosing and early intervention become so
important--so we are not allowing children to graduate without knowing they
have a learning disability that might affect them in the future even if it
didn't in the past.

Does any of that make sense?  : )

Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt





-----Original Message-----
From: learningdisabilities-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:learningdisabilities-bounces at nifl.gov]On Behalf Of Arlyn Roffman
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 9:15 PM
To: The Learning Disabilities Discussion List
Subject: [LearningDisabilities 1496] IQ and LD


Hi Katherine-

IDEA 2004 describes LD as ... a disorder in one or more of the basic
psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language,
spoken or written, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to
listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or do mathematical calculations.

The National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities definition is ....
LD is a general term that refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders
manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of
listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, or mathematical abilities.
These disorders are intrinsic to the individual, presumed to be due to
central nervous system dysfunction, and may occur across the life span.
Problems in self-regulatory behaviors, social perception, and social
interaction may exist with learning disabilities but do not, by themselves,
constitute a learning disability.Although learning disabilities may occur
concomitantly with other disabilities (e.g., sensory impairment, mental
retardation, serious emotional disturbance), or with extrinsic influences
(such as cultural differences, insufficient or inappropriate instruction),
they are not the result of those conditions or influences.



What does the state of Virginia say?
Arlyn


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