Checklist for Recognizing Special Education Needs or Learning Disabilities

Almost all children and adults may experience difficulties with learning disabilities and behavior at one point. But, a consistent pattern of the behaviors on this checklist, over time, could be considered an indication that the child may have special education needs.

Preschool:

Does the child have trouble with or delayed development in:

• Learning the alphabet
• Rhyming words
• Connecting sounds and letters
• Counting and learning numbers
• Being understood when he or she speaks to a stranger
• Using scissors, crayons and paints
• Reacting too much or to little to touch
• Using words or, later stringing words together into phrases
• Pronouncing words
• Walking forward to go up and down stairs
• Remembering names or colors
• Dressing self without assistance
  

Elementary School:

Does the child have trouble with:

• Learning new vocabulary
• Speaking in full sentences
• Understanding the rules of conversation
• Retelling stories
• Remembering newly learned information
• Playing with peers
• Moving from one activity to another
• Expressing thoughts orally or in writing
• Holding a pencil
• Handwriting
• Computing math problems at his or her grade level
• Following directions
• Self-esteem
• Remembering Routines
• Learning new skills
• Understanding what he or she reads
• Succeeding in one or more subject areas
• Drawing or copying shape
• Understanding what information presented in class is important
• Modulating voice (may speak loudly or in a monotone)
• Keeping a notebook neat and assignments organized
• Remembering and sticking to deadlines
• Understanding how to play age appropriate board games