Is it Just a Struggle, or a Learning Disability?

It's October, otherwise known as parent-teacher conference season. You're sitting across from your child's teacher, and you hear words that make your stomach drop: "falling behind," "not meeting grade level," "difficulty with reading/writing/math."

That moment in a parent-teacher conference when concern turns into questions: Is this just a struggle—or something more? These conversations often mark the first step toward identifying a learning disability and getting the right support in place.

Maybe you've suspected something for a while. Maybe this is the first time anyone has voiced your private concerns out loud. Either way, you leave that conference with a knot in your chest and a head full of questions:

Is this normal? Will they catch up? Should I be worried? What do I do next?

If your child's teacher mentions terms like "intervention," "evaluation," or "specific learning disability," you might feel simultaneously relieved (someone sees it too!) and overwhelmed (what does all this mean?).

You Don't Have to Navigate This Alone

If your child is struggling academically despite good teaching and effort, they may have a Specific Learning Disability (SLD), a diagnosis that includes conditions like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.

But here's what most parents don't know: The identification process for SLD is governed by complex federal and state laws. Schools have specific procedures they must follow, data they must collect, and expertise they must provide, especially in Texas, which has some of the most comprehensive dyslexia requirements in the nation.

Understanding these requirements is the difference between:

• Feeling lost in meetings vs. asking the right questions

• Accepting vague explanations vs. requesting specific data

• Waiting for your child to "catch up" vs. advocating for appropriate evaluation and services

  
  

Introducing: The Complete Guide to SLD Identification in Texas

Over the next week, we're breaking down everything you need to know about Specific Learning Disability identification, from the federal IDEA regulations to Texas's unique requirements.

Here's What You'll Learn:

• Understanding Specific Learning Disabilities: What an SLD really is, which conditions are included (yes, dyslexia counts!), and how Texas law defines these disorders

• Two Pathways to Identification: The RTI and Pattern of Strengths & Weaknesses models, and why schools can't use the old "wait until they fail" approach anymore

• The Data Behind the Diagnosis: What evidence schools must collect, how to spot gaps in documentation, and the extra requirements when dyslexia is suspected in Texas

• When It's NOT an SLD: Understanding exclusionary factors, why lack of good teaching matters, and how conditions can coexist

• The Texas Difference: Why your state has unique requirements, what the mysterious "Dyslexia Handbook" actually is, and how Texas protections go beyond federal law

Why This Matters Right Now

October isn't just conference season; it's when many children are referred for their first evaluations. If your child's teacher suggests "let's wait and see" or offers only informal support, you need to know:

• What data should already exist

• When you can request a formal evaluation

• What expertise must be on the evaluation team

• Why "wait and see" isn't always appropriate

  
  

This Series Will Empower You To

• Understand the terminology schools use (and what it really means)

• Know what questions to ask at evaluation meetings

• Recognize when proper procedures aren't being followed

• Advocate confidently for your child's needs

• Navigate the Texas-specific requirements that many educators themselves don't fully understand

Who This Series Is For:

• Parents whose children are struggling academically

• Parents navigating the evaluation or IEP process

• Educators who want to understand the legal framework

• Anyone confused about the difference between federal IDEA and Texas requirements

Ready to Become an Informed Advocate?

You don't need a law degree to understand your child's rights. You just need someone to translate the legalese into plain language and show you exactly what to look for.

Bookmark this series. Share it with other parents. Check back regularly.

Because when you understand the process, you can ensure your child gets the accurate identification and appropriate services they deserve. Not next year, not when they've fallen further behind, but now.

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Have you recently had a concerning parent-teacher conference? Schedule a free consultation here - you're not alone, and this series is designed with your questions in mind.