According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in a 2008 survey of children aged 3 to 21, there were 6,606 people who had a disability of some description; with 2,573 of those children having a specific learning disability. This statistic has risen since 1989 when the Individuals with Disabilities Act was passed by the senate which states that an educator and/or a parent who believes a child may have a disability of a nature which would interfere with their educational development must report it. This is usually flagged if the child is showing distinct difficult with her school work, if she has behavioural problems, if she suffers a sudden and significant drop in her grades or if she is generally struggling to keep up with the rest of the class.
Once you have voiced your concern and if his teacher agrees, a referral may be made to the school district to be reviewed. Following this, an educational evaluation may take place. This evaluation can include receiving information from the parent, the teacher and will generally assess your child's ability to interact and engage with the curriculum. If your child has been under evaluation before, this information will also be reviewed as part of the process. The testing is designed to be as accessible as possible for the child and will be in his native language and take into account any racial or cultural differences which may be factors in the evaluation's outcome.
Depending on the nature of your child's disability, he may require either a medical or an educational evaluation. These titles refer to whether the evaluation involves a licensed medical physician or not. For example, if you are concerned that your child is showing an inability to interact with other children, you may wish to assess him for Autism and as such, a medical professional will be asked to carry out his own assessment. While these conditions may affect his educational progress and should instigate support from the school district, the only person who is legally permitted to make this assessment is a licensed medial professional.
Often, if a medical professional deems your child to have a medical disability, your child may be placed on medication to help assist her in her day-to-day life and in her educational development. Following a medical assessment, it is the responsibility of the school district to carry out an educational evaluation as well. This is to follow up on the results of the medical assessment and not to over-ride them. The purpose of this is to judge how much of an impact your child's disability will have on her education and how best to support her. This assessment will vary depending on the nature of the medial report: for example, if your child has been declared as being on the autistic scale, her educational assessment will focus on the child's ability to express herself, understand others, social ability and sensory dysfunction, amongst other things. Following the results of the various evaluations, your child will be issued with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) which will stay with her throughout her educational career and will give a detailed view of your child's specific educational needs and how best to meet them. Each teacher who comes into contact with your child will be able to view this document and will use it to develop an understanding of your child and how best to teach her.