Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Dr. James Koller, Ph.D. University of Missouri at Columbia

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 1. Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) have at least average intelligence. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 2. Individuals with SLD show low, but consistent, performance. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 3. Individuals with SLD often have sensory processing problems. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 4. Individuals with SLD are often associated with minimal brain dysfunction. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 5. An individual with SLD can have a family history of SLD. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 6. SLD is more often seen in males compared to females. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 7. SLD tends to resolve itself and generally disappears in adolescence. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 8. SLD is not confined to academic deficits. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 9. An estimated 50-80% of individuals in adult education and literacy programs have SLD. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 10. Individuals with SLD comprise 30% of the general population. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 11. An individual can have a diagnosis of SLD and not be disabled. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 12. Individuals with SLD have more emotional disturbance than individuals without SLD. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 13. Individuals with SLD can also have coexisting ADHD. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 14. SLD can be determined using a recognized screening tool. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 15. Individuals who are school dropouts may be inaccurately diagnosed SLD because they show a significant discrepancy between intelligence and achievement. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities: pre- quiz 16. Individuals with SLD should not be told they have a learning disability. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz 17. Individuals with SLD are guaranteed protection under the law. True or False?

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 1. Individuals with SLD usually have at least average intelligence. True They are in the average range, or the “Curve of Normal Probability.” SLD can and does, however, occur outside the average range, e.g. borderline or gifted. They are in the average range, or the “Curve of Normal Probability.” SLD can and does, however, occur outside the average range, e.g. borderline or gifted.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers Average IQ range falls between 85 and 115. Average IQ range falls between 85 and

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 2. Individuals with SLD show low, but consistent, performance. False Individuals with SLD can show very high performance. One benchmark for individuals with SLD is the inconsistency. Individuals with SLD can show very high performance. One benchmark for individuals with SLD is the inconsistency.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 3. Individuals with SLD often have sensory processing problems. True SLD is a central nervous system processing disorder and has nothing to do with acuity. It’s the actual processing of the signal (auditory, visual, tactile, kinesthetic) that gets jumbled. Learning Triad: Acquisition Retention Transfer

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 4. Individuals with SLD are often associated with minimal brain dysfunction. True Although many adults with SLD will not have an actual medical diagnosis, the assumption is that there are differences or difficulties in how the brain works.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 5. An individual with SLD can have a family history of SLD. True There are some types of SLD that appear to have a strong genetic link. This doesn’t mean that all individuals with SLD have an inherited disorder or are even predisposed to SLD. There are several types of SLD.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 6. SLD is more often seen in males compared to females. True Part of the reason likely lies in a social/gender expectation issue. Current substantive research indicates that females are as likely as males to have SLD.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 7. SLD tends to resolve itself and generally disappears in adolescence. False SLD is a lifelong phenomenon. However, significant evidence exists that through effective accommodation, remediation and/or circumvention efforts, improvement in the quality of life can be realized.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 8. SLD is not confined to academic deficits. True Academics are but one area in which SLD manifests, and there are many reasons why an individual may demonstrate an academic deficit. SLD is but one reason.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 9. An estimated 50-80% of individuals in adult education and literacy programs have SLD True While no one knows the exact incidence, most authorities estimate the figure to be within these parameters. This underscores the importance of ruling out the disorder in every customer we serve.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 10. Individuals with SLD comprise 30% of the general population. False While no one knows for sure, the incidence of SLD is thought to be high, but not this high. Typically, most authorities will not exceed the 10-15% range.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 11. An individual can have a diagnosis of SLD and not be disabled. True Absolutely. The determination of a disability is a function of how the purported symptomology impacts daily activities. The key to severity of a disability is a function of its intensity, frequency and duration on the job or in life.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 12. Individuals with SLD have more emotional disturbance than individuals without SLD. True Some research evidence shows a co-morbid rate as high as 60%. This doesn’t mean it is severe enough to warrant a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM- IV) diagnosis, but feelings of depression, etc., are common.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 13. Individuals with SLD can also have a coexisting ADHD. True Increasing research evidence shows a relationship as high as 33%.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 14. SLD can be determined using a recognized screening tool. False A screening tool is used to screen, not diagnose. It can only add credence to an assumption that the customer should likely be referred for diagnostic testing.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 15. Individuals who are school dropouts may be inaccurately diagnosed SLD because they show a significant discrepancy between intelligence and achievement. True Depending on the condition of the dropout and when it occurred, those with an impoverished background who do not continue to participate in academic training likely will show deficits. Few individuals have the means to continue academic training on their own.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 16. Individuals with SLD should not be told they have a learning disability. False That is against the law.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz Answers 17. Individuals with SLD are guaranteed protection under the law. True Individuals with an officially diagnosed SLD are entitled to protection under the law, whether IDEA, Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), or ADA.

Specific Learning Disabilities Pre-Quiz James R. Koller, Ph.D. Professor, Chair Center for the Advancement of Mental Health Practices in the Schools University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO 65211