Differences between Specific Learning Disabilities and Intellectual Disability

Question 1

Intellectual Disability

Answer 1

A condition where a child has much lower-than-average intelligence and trouble with everyday skills. It starts during the early years of development and makes it harder for the child to do well in school.

Question 2

Specific Learning Disabilities

Answer 2

A specific learning disability is a disorder that affects how a child understands or uses spoken or written language. It can cause problems with listening, thinking, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, or doing math. This includes conditions like dyslexia, brain injuries, and other processing difficulties. It does not include learning problems that are mainly caused by vision, hearing, or physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, emotional issues, or disadvantages related to environment, culture, or income. Schools are not required to use a large gap between a child’s IQ and achievement to identify a learning disability.