San Gabriel Valley Specific Learning Disabilities Attorneys

For families in the San Gabriel Valley, navigating the special education system can be overwhelming, especially when your child is struggling in school due to a Specific Learning Disability.

While every child learns differently, some students face persistent challenges that require specialized instruction and formal support through an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

If you’re searching for a San Gabriel Valley Specific Learning Disabilities attorney, you likely have questions about how schools determine eligibility, what evaluations are required, and how to ensure your child receives the support they need.

At Woodsmall Law Group, PC., we help families understand their rights and advocate effectively for their child’s educational needs.

What Is a Specific Learning Disability (SLD)?

A specific learning disability (SLD) is a neurological condition that affects a child’s ability to acquire or use academic skills such as reading, writing, listening, speaking, reasoning, or math. Children with SLDs often have average or above-average intelligence but struggle in one or more core academic areas.

SLDs include conditions such as:

  • Dyslexia: Difficulty with reading and decoding words
  • Dysgraphia: Difficulty with writing and fine motor skills
  • Dyscalculia: Difficulty with understanding numbers and math
  • Auditory Processing Disorder: Difficulty interpreting auditory information
  • Nonverbal Learning Disabilities: Difficulty with spatial awareness, organization, or social skills

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) recognizes SLDs as one of the 13 disability categories that can qualify a child for special education services, provided the disability significantly impacts the student’s ability to learn and access the curriculum.

The Three Ways of Determining Specific Learning Disability

IDEA provides three research-based approaches to determining whether a child has a specific learning disability. School districts in California may adopt one or more of the following approaches. Families also have the right to ask their district which model is being used and enquire about how it informs eligibility decisions.

Severe Discrepancy Model

The severe dependency model compares a child’s performance on standardized achievement tests to their expected ability level (measured by IQ tests). If there is a significant gap between the two, the student may qualify for special education.

Response to Intervention (RTI)

Response to Intervention (RTI) evaluates how a student responds to increasingly intensive instructional interventions. If a child does not make sufficient progress despite evidence-based support, they may be identified as having an SLD. RTI focuses on early intervention and uses real-time data, making it a proactive approach.

Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW)

The Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW) method examines the student’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses to determine whether there’s a pattern consistent with a learning disability.

PSW allows for a more nuanced evaluation than the discrepancy model, as it can identify SLDs in students who do not show a severe discrepancy but still require support.

What Procedures Does IDEA Include for Evaluating and Determining SLD?

When a specific learning disability is suspected, IDEA requires a comprehensive and individualized evaluation. The school district must then assess the student in all areas related to the suspected disability.

The evaluation process must include the following components.

Aptitude and Achievement Tests

These measure general intelligence and specific academic skills. Common tests include the WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) and Woodcock-Johnson achievement tests. A significant gap between aptitude and achievement may indicate an SLD.

Teacher Recommendations

Educators provide classroom observations, work samples, and insights into the student’s performance, participation, and responsiveness to interventions.

Parent Input

Parents are critical members of the evaluation team. Their insights into the child’s early development, behavior, learning history, and challenges must be included and taken seriously.

Medical or Physical Condition

Any medical issues, such as hearing or vision impairments, must be ruled out or documented to ensure they’re not the cause of the learning difficulties.

Cultural or Social Background

Evaluators must consider the child’s linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic background to avoid misdiagnosing students based on differences unrelated to disability.

Adaptive Behavior

Adaptive behavior refers to how well the child handles day-to-day tasks and social situations. Evaluators may look at how learning challenges affect the child’s ability to function independently or interact with peers.

What Is the Process for Getting Treatment, Education, and Advocacy for SLD?

Once a parent suspects a learning disability, the path to support typically follows the following steps.

Request an Evaluation

Parents or teachers may initiate a request for evaluation. In California, once a written request is submitted, the district has 15 days to provide an assessment plan and 60 days (excluding school breaks) to complete the evaluation and hold an IEP meeting.

Attend the Eligibility Meeting

After the evaluation, the IEP team, which includes parents, meets to determine if the student qualifies for special education under the category of SLD. The team must review all data, including testing, teacher input, and classroom performance.

Develop the IEP

If found eligible, the IEP team drafts a plan outlining the student’s educational goals, accommodations, services (such as specialized instruction or speech therapy), and methods for measuring progress.

Examples of accommodations for SLD might include:

  • Extra time on tests
  • Use of audiobooks or text-to-speech software
  • Visual aids and graphic organizers
  • Step-by-step instruction in math

Monitor and Review Progress

Schools must track the student’s progress toward IEP goals and update parents regularly. The IEP must be reviewed annually, though parents can request additional meetings at any time.

Pursue Additional Support if Necessary

If you believe the school is not meeting your child’s needs, or if your child is denied eligibility, you can:

  • Request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at the district’s expense
  • Seek mediation or a due process hearing
  • Consult a San Gabriel Valley special education lawyer for legal guidance

Reasons to Choose Woodsmall Law Group, PC.

Parents are equal members of the IEP team, but that doesn’t always mean the system works in their favor. Misdiagnoses, delays, and denials are common, especially when school districts are under pressure or lack proper training in identifying SLDs.

That’s where a knowledgeable San Gabriel Valley special education attorney makes a difference.

At Woodsmall Law Group, PC., we’ve spent over 20 years advocating for families navigating the special education landscape in the San Gabriel Valley. We understand how to:

  • Ensure thorough, accurate evaluations
  • Challenge inappropriate denials of IEP eligibility
  • Negotiate and enforce meaningful accommodations
  • Advocate for placement in the least restrictive environment
  • Pursue legal remedies when a district fails to meet its obligations

We treat every case with compassion and precision, helping families understand their rights and secure the education their child is entitled to by law.

Speak With an Experienced Special Education Attorney in the San Gabriel Valley

At Woodsmall Law Group, PC., we offer compassionate legal guidance to help your child access the education they deserve. Whether you’re just starting the evaluation process or need advocacy during an IEP dispute, we’re here to help.

Call us today at (626) 440-0028 to schedule a free consultation with one of our special education attorneys. Let’s work together to build a better path forward for your child.