Special Education Department

Parent's Corner

What is a learning disability?

Students with specific learning disabilities exhibit a disorder in one or more of the basic cognitive processes involved in understanding or in using spoken or written language. This processing disorder causes significant difficulty in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, or mathematical abilities. To be identified as a student with a specific learning disability, the student must exhibit an objectively observable difference between intellectual ability and achievement and, when provided with experiences appropriate for the student's age and ability levels, must also demonstrate achievement which is not commensurate with age and ability level in one or more of the following areas:

oral expression
listening comprehension
written expression
basic reading skills
reading comprehension
mathematical calculation
mathematical reasoning

A student may not be identified as having a specific learning disability when there is no demonstrated processing disorder or if the severe discrepancy between ability and achievement is primarily due to visual, hearing, or motor disability; mental retardation; emotional disability; or environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage. Prior to identifying a student as learning disabled and in order to ascertain that appropriate learning experiences have been provided for the student's age and ability levels, all aspects of the general education program and school services should be investigated as possible sources of assistance for meeting the specific needs of the student.

The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS); Commonwealth of Virginia

DRS through state and local cooperative agencies works directly with students who recieve special education services ini the public school system. In coordination with the schools and other community agencies, the DRS Transition Unit provides services directed towards the transition from school to work.

Transitional services that are available through the DRS Transition Unit are:

Multiple Agency Cooperative Programming
Career Assessments
Career Couneling
College and Vocational Training (financial eligibility required)
Unpaid work experience and on the job training
Job Seeking and job readiness skills
Supported Employment (may require financial eligibility)
Other goods and services as needed for employmnent and transition
Job placement assistance and follow-up

Students may be eligible for services as early as age 16, however , are typically referred to DRS during their junior year.

Annandale High School Special Education Handbook