Common areas of support

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• Learning differences

  About one-third of kids with IEPs qualify for special education because they have a learning disability. Common examples include:

  • Dyslexia (which some schools may call a reading disorder or a specific learning disability in reading),

  • Dyscalculia (a math disability or math disorder), and

  • Dysgraphia or written expression disorder, where kids may have a lot of trouble getting their ideas down on paper.

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• Executive function and behavior

  To qualify for an IEP, the disability needs to affect your child enough to need specially designed instruction and supports. This often means a child needs to be significantly behind their classmates in a particular skill area.

  With ADHD and executive function challenges, specially designed instruction could involve being taught skills or strategies for things like organization, impulse control, or task completion.

• Social-emotional skills

  IEPs typically outline emotional support and goals in a “social/emotional” section. This section also explains how the school will help your child with social skills.