A Guide to Understanding

SPECIFIC LEARNING
DISABILITIES
Dyslexia. Dyscalculia. Dysgraphia

CHANGEINKK FOUNDATION
 Table of
Contents
01 Introduction

02 What are Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs)?

03 Key Facts

04 SLD Strengths

05 SLD Struggles

06 Identification

07 Accommodations

08 Interventions Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities

09 Leveraging Technology

10 Supporting a Child with SLDs

ChangeInkk Foundation
 Introduction
Do you know children who have the potential to
excel in academics, but are careless, lazy,
forgetful, unfocused, and always making
excuses? And you think, “If only they paid
attention and tried harder, they could do much
better."

Or maybe you know a child, who, no matter how

hard they try, just can’t seem to understand and
learn? They make silly spelling mistakes, have
untidy handwriting, often write letters in the
opposite direction. It seems like they are always
confused and very slow at completing any task.

But these same children are very good at giving

answers orally. They are curious and ask
questions constantly. They have vivid
imaginations and strong logic, and may even be
good at doing puzzles or building things with
blocks or making beautiful art. Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities

Don’t give up on them so easily. There is more to their

struggles than we can see. These are all signs that the
child may be at risk of having a Specific Learning Disability.

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 What are
Specific Learning
Disabilities?
Individuals with Specific Learning
It is important to Disabilities (SLDs)
remember that with have average or above average
intelligence, and struggle with
support, remedial
processing language (both spoken or
interventions and written). They have difficulty in
accommodations, comprehending, speaking, reading,
individuals with writing, spelling, and/or doing
mathematical calculations.
specific learning
disabilities can not only This is because Specific Learning
cope, but succeed in Disabilities (SLDs) impact the brain’s
ability to process information and
their lives.
learn. They include conditions such
as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia,
Dyspraxia, and Developmental
Aphasia. Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities

1 out of 5 individuals
have a Learning Disability

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 INDIVIDUALS WITH SLDs HAVE AVERAGE
OR ABOVE AVERAGE INTELLIGENCE
In India, both the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD
2016) and the National Education Policy, 2020 (NEP 2020) recognize
SLDs and mandate the full participation of individuals with SLDs in
the regular schooling process from the foundational stage to higher
education, through inclusive classrooms.

Dyslexia...

...struggles with language. It

accounts for 80% of all SLDs

Dyscalculia...
...struggles with math. It is
present in about 5% of the
population. Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities

Dysgraphia...
...struggles with writing and
fine motor skills.

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 Key Facts
It is more common Beyond
than one realises-
02 academics, SLDs
affecting 20% of impact an
Individuals with SLDs individual's daily
the global
have average or
population. Yet functioning, and
above average
only 1 in 20 get emotional
intelligence (IQ).
identified. However, they are
wellbeing.
often confused as
01 “slow learners”.
03

04
SLDs impact No two learners
language abilities with learning
across all languages.
disabilities are
If you are diagnosed
the same.
with Dyslexia in
English, you will also
have Dyslexia in
Hindi.
05

Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities

Accommodation
06 s and assistive 08
technologies
help individuals It is an invisible
SLDs are a lifelong excel through disability-
condition that runs their lifetime. diagnosed through
in families.
psychometric
testing.
07

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 SLD Strengths
It may come as a surprise that despite their
many struggles, individuals with SLDs have
been extremely successful and are
responsible for most innovations that have
changed the world!

Global studies have shown

that the percentage of
students with Dyslexia in the
fields such as engineering,
arts and entrepreneurship is
over twice the percentage
of individuals with Dyslexia
in the general population.

Dyslexia is surprisingly so
common at the
Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT), that it is
also known as the MIT
disease.
Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities
40% of the world’s self-
made millionaires are
dyslexic.

In 2020, top 10 companies

founded by Dyslexics
generate $1 trillion globally.

ChangeInkk Foundation
 Individuals with SLDs can achieve
these milestones because they have
critical skills- often referred to as
"Dyslexic Thinking".

Innovating
Communication

Visualizing

Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities

Seeing the Big Picture

Reasoning &
Problem Solving

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 SLD Struggles
Specific Learning Disabilities impact three core aspects of
an individual’s life.

01 Academic Performance

The impact of SLDs on a student’s academic performance, often

results in educators and parents thinking that the child is being
lazy and/or is a “slow learner.” This is not true. Remember-
Individuals with SLDs have average or above average IQ. However-
There is generally a gap between written and oral
performance.
Despite trying hard, they struggle with academic results.
They struggle with spellings, writing and completing tasks on
time.
They may understand a concept but struggle with showcasing
steps and doing complex calculations.

02 Executive Functioning or Life Skills

·SLDs impact processing of information, which impacts the ability

to manage basic, daily tasks. This could include difficulty in time
management and planning, following instructions, understanding
directions, completing tasks especially those that involve multi-
tasking, among other things.
Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities

03 Emotional Well-being

When forced to process lots of information (reading/ writing)

without breaks, they are likely to experience headaches,
aches and pains (especially hands and fingers), exhaustion, as
well as may sleep excessively.
Judgements around their intelligence and their abilities leads
to poor self-esteem, frustration, depression, etc.
There is a higher probability of them being bullied by their
peers and teachers for not being smart enough.
High levels of anxiety.

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 Identification
As per the Department of Empowerment of
Persons with Disabilities notification dated
04.01.2018, diagnosis of a person with SLDs
requires a paediatrician, or a psychiatrist or
paediatric neurologist or clinical or
rehabilitation psychologist. The official
diagnosis for SLDs can happen only in or after
third grade or 8 years of age, whichever is
earlier.

Diagnosis for SLDs is a 3 Step process:

Step 1: Assessment of paediatrician to
eliminate any visual or hearing impairments.
Step 2: IQ Assessment by Child/ clinical
psychologist/ paediatric neurologist/
psychiatrist. Only if the IQ is determined to
be average or above (>85), then Step 3 will
be applied.
Step 3: SLD Assessment involves
application of specific psychometric tests Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities
for diagnosing SLD and giving it a severity
scale.

Once a benchmarked (40% or more) disability diagnosis is

confirmed, a disability certificate and UDID card can be issued by
the competent authority. The disability certificate is needed to
access any facilities, benefits, or concessions available under the
government schemes for persons with disabilities.

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 Screening

While a formal diagnosis can be

3 pillars of SLD impact done only after 8 years, a
screening process can be
undertaken for early
identification of a child at risk of
SLD. The process is much like
taking a child to get their eyes
tested for poor vision when a
child regularly complains of a
headache.

As part of the screening process,

one must assess not just
academic performance but also
the impact on daily life and
emotional well-being. The
screening must be done in the Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities
primary language of the student.

It is important to highlight that the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities Act “mandates that the appropriate Government and
the local authorities shall endeavour that all educational
institutions funded or recognized by them shall detect specific
learning disabilities in children at the earliest and take suitable
pedagogical and other measures to overcome them.”

ChangeInkk Foundation
 SLD Checklist
Following is a basic checklist to monitor signs that the child may
be at risk of having SLD.
It is important to highlight that most children will fall into either one category at some
point. However, only if the child continuously shows signs in each of the three categories
mentioned below (beyond age-appropriate development goals), then they may be at risk for
an SLD. Talk to the teacher, special educator and/or your doctor to understand the
condition and initiate a formal diagnosis.

Academic Struggles Life Skills

☐ Difficulty learning to read, write & ☐ Difficulty remembering information
spell in all languages being learnt in order, e.g., order of a story, times
☐ Difficulty with phonological table, science procedures, dates &
awareness days of a week
☐ Persistent and continued reversing of ☐ Difficulty in writing or taking longer
letters & figures, e.g., '15' for '51', 'b' for 'd' than average to complete written
☐ A tendency to read inaccurately/ read tasks
slowly and/or without adequate ☐ Difficulty in telling left from right
comprehension ☐ Difficulty in fine motor skills
☐ Difficulty copying accurately from including tying shoelaces, putting on a
board or textbook belt or buttoning a shirt.
☐ Poor structure and organization of ☐ Unable to focus for longer periods
written work, but can express orally or getting tired easily
☐ Difficulty in mathematical operations ☐ A challenge with concentration,
☐ A gap in their oral and written especially if there is movement &
performance noise around them Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities

Emotional Well-Being
☐ Low self-esteem and/or low confidence
☐ A sense of frustration due to constant failure despite working hard
☐ A high level of anxiety
☐ Bullied, no friends or social pariah
☐ Often complains of having headaches, is constantly tired and/or excessive sleeping.

Disclaimer: The above list is not a diagnostic tool. The checklist is only indicative that the
child may be at risk of an SLD, and necessary action may be taken.

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 Accommodations
Individuals with SLDs are extremely resilient and with the
right interventions, support and accommodations, not only
cope but thrive and succeed.

The RPwD Act (2016) defines (reasonable) accommodations

as necessary and appropriate modification and adjustments,
to ensure that persons with disabilities can enjoy and
exercise their rights equally.

Accommodations level the playing field for students with

SLDs
It requires adjusting teaching-learning material,
curriculum, assessments, and classroom environment to
accommodate a student’s needs for their equal
participation in the classroom.
It is important to understand that the aim is to “level the
playing field”, allowing students to showcase their true
potential without reducing the rigor of academic
instruction.
Examples of commonly used reasonable
accommodations are allowing students to wear
spectacles for weak eyesight and ramps for wheelchair
access.
In addition to accommodations, there should be Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities
reinforcement of learning strategies to improve learning
outcomes. It’s important to teach students in the way
they learn best.
Most Boards at Central and State level have issued
guidelines of accommodations that support students
with SLDs.
It is important that students with SLDs are given
accommodations from Grade 1 to 12, across all academic
work and assessments. This includes homework, class
tests, project work, unit tests, exams, etc.

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 Recommended Accommodations

Intelligent but need time to Intelligent but struggles with

process information. multi-tasking.

Extra time on exams Facility of scribe &

Extra time for HW reader
Alternative exams Allow answering in
bullet points

Difficulty processing Overstimulation

information

Exemption from 2nd & Preferential seating

3rd languages arrangement within
Alternative subject examination room
choices or
Overlook spellings Allowing sitting in a
Allow use of calculator separate room

Please speak to your school-

Print Disability
teacher/ head of institution/
Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities

board of examinations to
Allow use of
understand what
technology
Use of bigger fonts accommodations are
Ensure adequate available for SLDs. Do not
spacing between lines hesitate to demand them-
and image contrast remember,
accommodations are a
RIGHT!

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 Interventions
While accommodations help overcome some of the struggles a
student with SLDs faces, allowing their abilities to be benchmarked
to typical students (much like spectacles do for children with poor
eyesight), they are not enough. Students with SLDs require
appropriate remedial intervention that will help close learning gaps
and improve learning outcomes. These interventions include:

Multisensory Approach
Multisensory instruction is a way of teaching that engages more
than one sense at a time. It is dependent on the learning style of the
individual, which is driven by which “sense” the individual prefers to
engage in to learn - visual, hearing, smell, taste, touch. Everyone
learns in more than one style.

Visual Auditory Movement

Use pictures, diagrams, Listening to audio Using dance, physical
posters, models, books, podcasts, games, and taking
projection screens, recorded lectures, steps while learning
flash cards. especially in karaoke concepts. Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities
Use of colour for mode. Using play way, activity
highlighting, organizing Making up Mnemonics based teaching
information. like BODMAS techniques, including
Mind-maps, word Using songs to learn immersive learning.
clouds, outlining (Nursery Rhymes, Writing in the sand or in
passages to help Periodic Table Song, the air or in rice.
organize information etc.) Tapping or clapping out
and ideas. Acting in a play/or sounds.
Conducting debating the content. Playing with blocks,
experiments, using 3D Clapping of hands to beading, lacing and
art, watching videos. remember count or other fine motor
patterns. activities.
Listening to music while
studying.

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 Supporting
Cognitive Skills &
Working Memory
Allowing children to stand, jiggle
their body serve as energizers in
between classes/long lessons.
Remember: Multi-
sensory interventions Allowing students to use fidget
spinners or stress balls, rock their
should be done in the
chairs or sit on a bouncy ball
classroom for all during class. This helps improve
students, across all attention span.
classes, by the teacher.
Colour-coded calendars to
This can be done by all manage exam, home-work
teachers- general, submission days and other
science, math, SST, etc. deadlines.
Parents may also adopt
To-do checklists, step by step
these strategies to instructions that are written,
reinforce learning at
Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities
recorded or visually displayed for
home. key tasks.

Timetables that are displayed in

areas a child can see easily.
Preferably, these can be pictorial
with colour-codes, stickers, icons
etc.

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 Remediation
with a special educator
Special educator interventions are generally one-on-one or in small
group settings. They address the following:.

01 Close Learning Gaps

Beyond classroom instructions, to help cope and
correct language struggles faced by students with
SLDs, it is recommended that they undertake
remedial instructions from a trained Special
Educator. This should be done in the primary
language of the student.

02 Multi-sensory Approach
A good remedial programme adopts a multi-
sensory approach to reinforce learning. It
progresses from basics like phonemes (sounds) and
the alphabetic principle (the relationship of sounds
to letters) and then moves to the complex word
and text structures.

Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities

03 Need for Additional Therapy

In addition to language interventions, students
may also need therapeutic services like
occupational therapy (OT), speech-language
therapy (SLT) and physiotherapy (PT). These
interventions help improve fine motor skills,
coordination, speech, and ability to write. In some
cases, mental health counselling to address
anxiety, depression, etc., may be needed.

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 Leveraging Technology
Assistive technologies are cheap (often a lot of free options),
readily available and can be used to help any individual with
learning disabilities improve their performance. They play a
critical role in ensuring an individual can function
independently. Common assistive technology features
include:

Reading
Text-to-speech in digital formats
OCR for text and images
Display control to adjust text size, font, contrast, colours, zoom
Highlighting text

Listening & Watching

Audio speed control
Audio control (play/pause and volume control)
Foregrounding audio
QR codes on hard copies directing to e-content
Closed Caption with controls
Controls for animated (moving) content
Audio Description
Text and images with explanatory videos

Non-complex low-tech options:

Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities

Set alarms as reminders for activities/chores, as well as to

monitor time to complete an activity
Use apps like WhatsApp, to give instructions and communicate
with family/teachers/ friends​
Use calculators as help for math work and daily cash
transactions​
Use calendar with reminders to mark important deadlines
Use Closed Captions while watching videos and TV
Karaoke mode - Listen to songs on Karaoke mode, to reinforce
word recognition

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 Following are some in-built features in
devices your already own!

Google Microsoft Apple

Google Voice Windows Speech Mac Dictation (in-
Typing Recognition (in-built built tool on Mac
Adobe Acrobat tool on Windows) and iOS)
OCR and PDF Dictate (within Speech Controller
Office 365)
software or Speak
Microsoft Learning
application Selection
Tools – Office 365
Google lens Typing Feedback
Adobe Acrobat OCR
Google Calendar and PDF software Safari Reader
Chrome search- application Scribble
by-voice feature Outlook calendar Dark Mode
Google Docs Immersive Reader Guided Access
features: speech Syllabification Voiceover
Comprehension
Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities
recognition, Voice Control
advanced spell mode Live Text OCR
Focus mode
checking,
Enhanced dictation
bibliography
Dark Mode
creation
Dark Mode

ChangeInkk Foundation
 Supporting a
Child with SLDs
Remember, you can't punish a disability out of a child!

Remove the stigma No Comparisons

No hiding. No shame. Be proud Do not compare them with siblings
of who you are. or friends. Redefine success.
Never settle for less.

Believe Your Child

Listen to and believe the child’s Help with Planning
struggles. Don’t assume they are Create regular routines for the child
making excuses. that stay consistent. This helps them
plan better and know what action is
Acknowledge Strengths & expected from them.
Struggles
Focus on and appreciate their many Encourage Independence
strengths. Don't judge them for their
weaknesses. Help the child to develop problem-
solving and decision-making skills.
Leverage technology to support daily
Be Patient tasks
Children are trying as hard to learn.
Students with SLDs are not lazy.
Reward Effort
Support Learning Needs Build an ethic of hard work and giving our
Teach them the way they can learn; best, without measuring success. Reward Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities
multi-sensory along with remedial work time with fun time. Don’t punish by
interventions as needed. taking away fun time.

Provide Accommodations
Accommodations are needed as Advocate & Educate
support for learning and assessments, Build support systems. Advocate with &
just like those who need glasses to see
educating those around - friends, family,
clearly. Don’t belittle them for using the
siblings, parents, teachers & YOURSELF.
accommodations. This is not cheating
Don't be shy to seek help. Always
or taking shortcuts, but their
#Speak4Dyslexia
necessity.

ChangeInkk Foundation
 Recommended Readings
Following is a list of additional resources that we encourage
you to read, to better understand and support individuals with
SLDs.

Understanding SLDs
The Complete Learning Disabilities Handbook: Ready-to-Use Strategies and
Activities for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities (Jossey-Bass Teacher),
Joan M. Harwell; Rebecca Williams
The Gift of Dyslexia, Ronald D. Davis, Eldon M. Braun
The Dyslexic Advantage, Brock L. Eide, Fernette F. Eide
Overcoming Dyslexia, Sally Shaywitz,
The Misunderstood Child, Fourth Edition: Understanding and Coping with Your
Child's Learning Disabilities, Larry B. Silver
The Dyslexia Document: A Checklist Reference for Parents and Teachers to
Dyslexia of Kids, Jon Phillips, Free Online Version
Thinking Differently: An Inspiring Guide for Parents of Children with Learning
Disabilities, David Flink
Learning Disabilities: From Identification to Intervention, Jack M. Fletcher, G. Reid
Lyon; Lynn S. Fuchs; Marcia A. Barnes
Essentials of Specific Learning Disability Identification (Essentials of Psychological
Assessment), Vincent C. Alfonso; Dawn P. Flanagan, Dyslexia version also available.
Finding My Superpower: A Book for Dyslexic Thinkers, Sarah Prestidge, Kauri Finlay

Living with Dyslexia

Fun Games and Activities for Children with Dyslexia, Alais Winton, Joe Salerno
More Fun Games and Activities for Children with Dyslexia, Alais Winton, Hannah
Millard
Dyslexia: A Teenager's Guide, Dr. Sylvia Moody Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia Tool Kit for tutors and parents - what to do when phonics isn't enough,
Vyonna Graham, Dr. Alta E. Graham
At Home with Dyslexia: A Parent's Guide to Supporting Your Child, Sascha Roos,
The Dyslexia-Friendly Teacher's Toolkit: Strategies for Teaching Students 3-18,
Barbara Pavey, Margaret Meehan; Sarah Davis
The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan: A Blueprint for Renewing Your Child's Confidence
and Love of Learning, Ben Foss,
Dyslexia Outside-the-Box: Equipping Dyslexic Kids to Not Just Survive but Thrive,
Beth Ellen Nash
Learn to Read for Kids With Dyslexia: 101 Games and Activities to Teach Your Child
to Read, Hannah Braun,
Blast Off to Reading!: 50 Orton-Gillingham Based Lessons for Struggling Readers
and Those with Dyslexia, Cheryl Orlassino

ChangeInkk Foundation
 At ChangeInkk Foundation, we strongly believe that for
India to become a $10 trillion economy, contributions of
individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities is a must.
After all, 40% of the world’s self-made millionaires have a
learning disability, like Dyslexia, and #DyslexicThinking
has powered most innovations that have changed our
world!

So, we are working hard to #Speak4Dyslexia, raising

awareness around the many strengths of dyslexic minds.
Through innovative programs, advocacy and capacity-
building initiatives, we are #ChangeInkkTheConversation,
to actively build inclusive ecosystems that support them-
from cradle to career.

We engage closely with individuals, parents, educators,

employers, policy makers, and civil society, to
mainstreaming inclusion in schools, higher education and
workplaces, where individuals with SLDs can thrive.

For more information about ChangeInkk and our

initiatives, visit www.changeinkk.org or write to
us: [email protected].