By: National Research Center on Learning Disabilities

NRCLD developed this brief to help you understand different definitions and interpretations of the term “specific learning disability.”

Winter 2007

In education, the term learning disability is used to describe specific kinds of problems that an individual has with understanding or using spoken or written language. A student with a specific learning disability may have difficulty listening, thinking, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, or doing math problems. You may have heard of dyslexia. This is a learning disability that affects reading. Specific learning disability refers to several disorders, such as dyslexia, which affect reading or language.

Learning disabilities are not visible (like those of individuals who have physical disabilities), so they often are unrecognized. They can’t be “fixed” or “cured.” But special instruction, accommodations, support services, and aids can help students lessen the effects of the learning disability by using acquired methods and strategies to compensate for the difficulties one has in learning.
Most states and many schools use the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004) (Public Law 108-446) description of specific learning disability to define learning disability when determining special education eligibility and services. The IDEA 2004 definition states:

Empowering the Parent Team

NJPC is offering a FREE five-week Professional Parent Advocacy Training
program for parents, grandparents, foster parents, adoptive parents, and
other caregivers.  Parents and caregivers attending the training are
given the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of the systems that
serve their families, their rights and responsibilities within those
systems, and the advocacy, professional, and collaborative skills needed
to successfully negotiate those systems.  Parents will become better
able to advocate for themselves and their communities, resulting in
increased access to appropriate care and treatment for all children. The
Professional Parent Advocacy Training is approved for foster, adoptive
and kinship training credit.  Lunch will be served and early
registration is recommended.

Location:        Galilee Baptist Church

440 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

Trenton, NJ 08618

Time:              9:30 am to 3:30 pm

Instructors:     Valerie Gallagher, Parent, NJPC Board Member, PPAT
Graduate; Dr. Helene Robbins, NJPC Advisory Board; Charlene Harris,
Parent, PPAT Graduate; Kathy Wright, Parent, Executive Director, NJPC;
Consultant, National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental
Health, Georgetown University; Consulting Pool, National Cultural
Competency Center, Georgetown University.



October 9, 2010

Introduction to Professional Parent Advocacy

Empowering the Parent Voice: Motivation & Assertiveness

Conflict Resolution Skills & The Power of Persuasion

Empowering vs. Enabling

Professionalism & Communication Skills



October 16, 2010

Navigating the Special Education System & the IEP Process

Developing a Transitional Plan

Zero Tolerance & IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

NCLB - No Child Left Behind Act



October 23, 2010

Understanding Childhood Mental Health Challenges & the DSM IV

How Knowledge of the Brain Influences Adult/Child Interaction



November 6, 2010

Understanding the Child Welfare System & Family Involvement in DYFS

Strengthening the Juvenile Justice System through Family Involvement

Cultural Competency & Diversity in the Child-Serving Community

Collaborating with Agencies Dedicated to Children & Families

November 13, 2010

Empowering the Parent Trainer-Train the Trainer

TBA

Graduation

Empowering the Statewide Parent Movement

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to use their newly-trained skills
to deliver Parent Advocacy

Workshops in their local community with the support of NJPC and other
certified parents throughout the state.

To register, or for additional information, call Shweta at 973-989-8866,
fax the

registration form to 973-989-8867 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .



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The Professional Parent Advocacy Training is made available  through Bristol-Myers Squibb

Every 40 seconds someone’s son or daughter is reported missing, totaling over 800,000 missing children in the United States each year. Whether you are in a crowded shopping mall, amusement park or even a neighborhood park, as a parent, turning around and not seeing your child induces instant panic and a sinking feeling in your stomach.

By:  Kelly Rouba

Fans of BRAVO’s reality show Real Housewives of New Jersey are sure to agree that this season is perhaps the most dramatic yet, with more than enough catfights and backstabbing to last a lifetime. And while most of the on-screen quarrels have stemmed from trivial matters, one cast member has been dealing with a legal battle of his own that seems to have touched the hearts of many viewers—especially those with disabilities.