Jade, a student, looking directly at the camera.

Meet Jade. She’s a student with a disability, and she has an IEP. She wants to share about her experiences in the classroom. Watch Jade’s story here.

The Students Served by IEPs

According to IDEA, there are 13 disability categories in which students can qualify for an IEP. One step of the IEP process, which you’ll learn more about in Module 2, is an evaluation to determine if a student meets the eligibility criteria in one or more of these areas.

Learning more about the disability areas that students qualify in is an important step in understanding how to best support your students with IEPs. Also, understanding each student’s perspective as a learner and having empathy will help you understand why IEPs matter.

The disability category with the highest prevalence is called “specific learning disabilities.” This includes things like dyslexia and dyscalculia. ADHD is also common and falls under the category “other health impairment.” These two categories account for 1 in 5 students in your class who may have a diagnosed or undiagnosed learning and thinking difference.

Learn more about common learning and thinking differences below or by viewing these one-page fact sheets on ADHD, language disorder, dyslexia, written expression disorder, and dyscalculia.

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There’s a lot of misunderstanding about learning and thinking differences like dyslexia and ADHD. Here are some of the most common myths—and facts to debunk them.

Myth #1: Learning and thinking differences aren’t real.

Fact: Learning and thinking differences like dyslexia and ADHD are very real. They’re not made-up challenges. They’re caused by differences in how the brain develops and functions, and they often run in families.

Myth #2: Learning and thinking differences aren’t common.

Fact: Millions of people learn and think differently. These challenges aren’t always easy to spot, though, for lots of reasons. People may hide their difficulties. Or their challenges may go unnoticed by families, teachers, and employers. Chances are you know someone who learns and thinks differently.

Myth #3: People who learn and think differently aren’t smart.

Fact: Having learning differences doesn’t mean people aren’t smart. They can be gifted, too. But they may struggle in school or at work because of their differences. And that can lead others to wrongly assume that people with ADHD, dyslexia, or other differences aren’t intelligent.

Myth #4: People who learn and think differently are “just being lazy.”

Fact: Learning and thinking differences don’t just “go away” through sheer willpower. People who learn and think differently are often trying as hard as they can to work around their challenges. They need the right kind of support to thrive.

Myth #5: Kids grow out of learning and thinking differently.

Fact: Kids don’t outgrow these differences, so it’s not just a matter of catching up. They’re lifelong challenges. The sooner kids get the support they need, the sooner they start to make progress.

Myth #6: People who learn and think differently can’t do well in school or at work.

Fact: With the right support, kids who learn and think differently can make great progress and thrive in school. Thriving means something different for everyone. It could mean calmly sitting through a class. Or it could mean getting A’s. The same goes for jobs and careers. Look in any field and you can find examples of people who learn and think differently and are thriving.

Explore

13 Disability Categories
Learning Disabilities by the Numbers
“Why We Cry in IEP Meetings,” from Understood’s In It podcast

Practice & Discuss

Visit Understood’s simulation: Through Your Child’s Eyes
Explore the simulations. These simulations will provide you with insight about what it might feel like to be a student with a disability impacting reading, math, writing, attention, or organization.
Explore children’s stories about having issues with these specific areas.
Discuss: How did these activities and personal stories make you feel? How will these stories impact your teaching for students who learn and think differently?

Preview

You’ll learn the difference between 504 plans and IEPs.

Citation

6 Common Myths to Learning and Thinking Differences