University of Texas at El Paso
Union East
   
Federal Definition of a Learning Disability Minimize    

"Specific learning disabilities mean a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological process involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, read, write, spell or do mathematical calculations.  The term includes such conditions as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia and developmental aphasia.  The term does not include children who have learning problems that are the result of visual, hearing or motor imitations, of mental retardation, of emotional disturbance or of environmental, cultural or economic disadvantage."

 

   
Recommended Assessment Instruments Minimize    
The university will take into consideration documentation that consists of any of the following assessments. More than one instrument is necessary, and eligibility will be determined on an individual basis. However, DSM-IV learning disorder not otherwise specified will not generally be recognized; the objective criteria will not be adequate for learning disabilities when there are a number of recognized assessments in the field.
   
Learning Disabilities Minimize    

Professionals conducting assessment and rendering diagnosis of specific learning disabilities must be qualified.  Qualified professional needs to hold a degree in a field related to diagnosis of specific learning disabilities and have at least one year of diagnostic experience with adults and late adolescence.  Recommended practitioners include: certified and/or licensed psychologists, learning disability specialists, educational therapists, and diagnosticians in public schools or colleges and rehabilitation services and private practitioners with the above qualifications are typically considered qualified.  The diagnostician must be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.  Specific records for a specific learning disability needed are as follows:

 

·         Testing must be comprehensive:

o        Aptitude,

o        Achievement

o        Information processing

 

·         Testing must be current (needs to be 3 to 5 years old; older documentation is appropriate when the student’s age is equal to 16 years at time of evaluation. Newer or more current documentation is necessary when the student’s age is 16 years or younger)

·         There needs to be a clear and specific evidence of a current learning disability

·         Include test scores / data

·         Include diagnostic reports with the names and titles of evaluators as well as the    date(s) tested

·         A clear statement that a learning disability is present along with the rationale for this diagnosis.  (Note:  Individual learning deficits, learning styles and learning differences do not, in and of themselves, constitute a learning disability)

·         A statement of the functional impact or limitations of the disability on learning or other major life activities and the degree to which it impacts the individual in the learning context for which accommodations are being requested

 

Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if coexisting learning disabilities or other disabling conditions are indicated.

 
   
Questions or Concerns Minimize    

About these guidelines should be referred to DSSO at 915-747-5148, dss@utep.edu or in Room 106 Union East Building