What is a key characteristic of Specific Learning Disability (SLD)?

A key characteristic of Specific Learning Disability (SLD) is the ability-achievement discrepancy. This concept refers to the significant gap between a student's intellectual capacity (ability) and their academic performance (achievement) in specific areas such as reading, writing, or mathematics. Students with SLD often demonstrate average or above-average intelligence but struggle in specific academic tasks, which highlights their specific learning challenges. This discrepancy is often a crucial factor in identifying SLD, as it underscores that the difficulty is not due to a lack of intelligence but rather a specific learning difficulty.

In contrast, students performing above grade level do not align with the typical profile of SLD, as it reflects proficiency rather than difficulty. Consistent performance in all subjects is also not typical for students with SLD, as they usually experience uneven performance across different academic areas due to their specific learning challenges. High emotional intelligence does not define an SLD; while some students may indeed possess high emotional intelligence, it is not a characteristic associated with the learning disabilities as defined in educational contexts.