Specific Learning Disabilities and Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses

CASP adopted this position paper March 31, 2014 to assist school psychologists and their districts in moving beyond the Severe Discrepancy Model in the identification of students with Specific Learning Disability (SLD). CASP took the position supporting a comprehensive evaluation that describes a student’s Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW) relative to the identification of SLD. This paper describes a learning disability as an endogenous condition that is neurologically based, involves specific cognitive processes, and which may co-exist with other disabling conditions. The comprehensive approach recommended includes appropriate high-quality instruction and documentation of the student’s response to instruction and progress monitoring. Critical elements seen as indicative of a pattern of strengths and weaknesses include (a) low achievement in at least one academic area, (b) weakness in a cognitive process related to this academic area, (c) evidence of a typical pattern of functioning in other related areas, and (d) elimination of exclusionary factors as the primary cause of the underachievement.

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