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

Specific Learning Specific Learning Disabilities Disabilities

Pre-Quiz Pre-Quiz

Dr. James Koller, Ph.D.Dr. James Koller, Ph.D.

University of Missouri at University of Missouri at Columbia Columbia

Specific Learning DisabilitiesSpecific Learning DisabilitiesPre-QuizPre-Quiz

1.1. Individuals with Specific Learning Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) have at least Disabilities (SLD) have at least average intelligence. average intelligence.

True or False?True or False?


2.2. Individuals with SLD show low, but Individuals with SLD show low, but consistent, performance.consistent, performance.



3.3. Individuals with SLD often have Individuals with SLD often have sensory processing problems.sensory processing problems.



4.4. Individuals with SLD are often Individuals with SLD are often associated with minimal brain associated with minimal brain dysfunction.dysfunction.



5.5. An individual with SLD can have a An individual with SLD can have a family history of SLD.family history of SLD.



6.6. SLD is more often seen in males SLD is more often seen in males compared to females.compared to females.



7.7. SLD tends to resolve itself and SLD tends to resolve itself and generally disappears in generally disappears in adolescence.adolescence.



8.8. SLD is not confined to academic SLD is not confined to academic deficits.deficits.



9.9. An estimated 50-80% of An estimated 50-80% of individuals in adult education and individuals in adult education and literacy programs have SLD.literacy programs have SLD.



10.10. Individuals with SLD comprise Individuals with SLD comprise 30% of the general population.30% of the general population.



11.11. An individual can have a diagnosis An individual can have a diagnosis of SLD and not be disabled.of SLD and not be disabled.



12.12. Individuals with SLD have more Individuals with SLD have more emotional disturbance than emotional disturbance than individuals without SLD.individuals without SLD.



13.13. Individuals with SLD can also have Individuals with SLD can also have coexisting ADHD.coexisting ADHD.



14.14. SLD can be determined using a SLD can be determined using a recognized screening tool.recognized screening tool.



15.15. Individuals who are school Individuals who are school dropouts may be inaccurately dropouts may be inaccurately diagnosed SLD because they show diagnosed SLD because they show a significant discrepancy between a significant discrepancy between intelligence and achievement.intelligence and achievement.


Specific Learning Disabilities: Specific Learning Disabilities: pre-quizpre-quiz

16.16. Individuals with SLD should not be Individuals with SLD should not be told they have a learning told they have a learning disability.disability.



17.17. Individuals with SLD are Individuals with SLD are guaranteed protection under the guaranteed protection under the law.law.


Specific Learning DisabilitiesSpecific Learning DisabilitiesPre-Quiz AnswersPre-Quiz Answers

1.1. Individuals with SLD usually have Individuals with SLD usually have at least average intelligence.at least average intelligence. True True

They are in the average range, or They are in the average range, or the “Curve of Normal Probability.” the “Curve of Normal Probability.” SLD can and does, however, occur SLD can and does, however, occur outside the average range, e.g. outside the average range, e.g. borderline or gifted.borderline or gifted.


• Average IQ range falls between 85 Average IQ range falls between 85 and 115.and 115.

55 70 85 100 115 130 145


2.2. Individuals with SLD show low, but Individuals with SLD show low, but consistent, performance.consistent, performance. False False

Individuals with SLD can show Individuals with SLD can show very high performance. One very high performance. One benchmark for individuals with benchmark for individuals with SLD is the inconsistency.SLD is the inconsistency.


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


4.4. Individuals with SLD are often Individuals with SLD are often associated with minimal brain associated with minimal brain dysfunction.dysfunction. True True

Although many adults with SLD Although many adults with SLD will not have an actual medical will not have an actual medical diagnosis, the assumption is that diagnosis, the assumption is that there are differences or difficulties there are differences or difficulties in how the brain works. in how the brain works.


5.5. An individual with SLD can have a An individual with SLD can have a family history of SLD. family history of SLD. TrueTrue

There are some types of SLD that There are some types of SLD that appear to have a strong genetic appear to have a strong genetic link. This doesn’t mean that all link. This doesn’t mean that all individuals with SLD have an individuals with SLD have an inherited disorder or are even inherited disorder or are even predisposed to SLD. There are predisposed to SLD. There are several types of SLD.several types of SLD.


6.6. SLD is more often seen in males SLD is more often seen in males compared to females.compared to females. True True

Part of the reason likely lies in a Part of the reason likely lies in a social/gender expectation issue. social/gender expectation issue. Current substantive research Current substantive research indicates that females are as likely indicates that females are as likely as males to have SLD.as males to have SLD.


7.7. SLD tends to resolve itself and generally SLD tends to resolve itself and generally disappears in adolescence.disappears in adolescence. False False

SLD is a lifelong phenomenon. SLD is a lifelong phenomenon. However, significant evidence exists However, significant evidence exists that through effective accommodation, that through effective accommodation, remediation and/or circumvention remediation and/or circumvention efforts, improvement in the quality of efforts, improvement in the quality of life can be realized.life can be realized.


8.8. SLD is not confined to academic SLD is not confined to academic deficits.deficits. True True

Academics are but one area in Academics are but one area in which SLD manifests, and there which SLD manifests, and there are many reasons why an are many reasons why an individual may demonstrate an individual may demonstrate an academic deficit. SLD is but one academic deficit. SLD is but one reason.reason.


9.9. An estimated 50-80% of individuals in An estimated 50-80% of individuals in adult education and literacy programs adult education and literacy programs have SLDhave SLD True True

While no one knows the exact While no one knows the exact incidence, most authorities estimate incidence, most authorities estimate the figure to be within these the figure to be within these parameters. This underscores the parameters. This underscores the importance of ruling out the disorder in importance of ruling out the disorder in every customer we serve.every customer we serve.


10.10. Individuals with SLD comprise Individuals with SLD comprise 30% of the general population.30% of the general population. FalseFalse

While no one knows for sure, the While no one knows for sure, the incidence of SLD is thought to be incidence of SLD is thought to be high, but not this high. Typically, high, but not this high. Typically, most authorities will not exceed most authorities will not exceed the 10-15% range.the 10-15% range.


11.11. An individual can have a diagnosis of An individual can have a diagnosis of SLD and not be disabled. SLD and not be disabled. TrueTrue

Absolutely. The determination of a Absolutely. The determination of a disability is a function of how the disability is a function of how the purported symptomology impacts daily purported symptomology impacts daily activities. The key to severity of a activities. The key to severity of a disability is a function of its intensity, disability is a function of its intensity, frequency and duration on the job or in frequency and duration on the job or in life.life.

Specific Learning DisabilitiesSpecific Learning DisabilitiesPre-Quiz Answers Pre-Quiz Answers

12.12. Individuals with SLD have more Individuals with SLD have more emotional disturbance than individuals emotional disturbance than individuals without SLD.without SLD. True True

Some research evidence shows a co-Some research evidence shows a co-morbid rate as high as 60%. This doesn’t morbid rate as high as 60%. This doesn’t mean it is severe enough to warrant a mean it is severe enough to warrant a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) diagnosis, but Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) diagnosis, but feelings of depression, etc., are common.feelings of depression, etc., are common.


13.13. Individuals with SLD can also have Individuals with SLD can also have a coexisting ADHD.a coexisting ADHD. True True

Increasing research evidence Increasing research evidence shows a relationship as high as shows a relationship as high as 33%.33%.


14.14. SLD can be determined using a SLD can be determined using a recognized screening tool.recognized screening tool. False FalseA screening tool is used to screen, A screening tool is used to screen, not diagnose. It can only add not diagnose. It can only add credence to an assumption that credence to an assumption that the customer should likely be the customer should likely be referred for diagnostic testing.referred for diagnostic testing.


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


16.16. Individuals with SLD should not be Individuals with SLD should not be told they have a learning told they have a learning disability.disability. False False

That is against the law.That is against the law.


17.17. Individuals with SLD are guaranteed Individuals with SLD are guaranteed protection under the law.protection under the law. True True

Individuals with an officially Individuals with an officially diagnosed SLD are entitled to diagnosed SLD are entitled to protection under the law, whether protection under the law, whether IDEA, Reauthorization of the IDEA, Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), or Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), or ADA.ADA.


James R. Koller, Ph.D.James R. Koller, Ph.D.

Professor, ChairProfessor, Chair

Center for the Advancement of Mental Center for the Advancement of Mental Health Practices in the SchoolsHealth Practices in the Schools

University of Missouri-ColumbiaUniversity of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO 65211Columbia, MO 65211

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