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Brynne Nicholas
PSY 230: Psy-Indiv Diff & Spec Needs
Southern New Hampshire University
Instructor Victoria M. White
July 17, 2022
3-2 Short Paper: LD Assessments
Millions of individuals are affected by learning disabilities in some way. Assessments
and interventions aid in the identification, placement, and provision of appropriate and
customized assistance for individuals with learning disabilities. Assessments are utilized to
appropriately identify learning disabilities and assist in determining the best approach in helping
meet the specific needs of the individual (Hardman, et al., 2016). The traditional discrepancy
model of LD assessment and the Response to Intervention approach are both examples of this.
The traditional discrepancy model of LD identifies disabilities through cognitive and academic
achievement testing by using norm-based instruments to determine if students do in fact have a
learning disability and if they are eligible to receive special education services or not. In an effort
to determine if there are any unequivocal differences in ability and capability in subjects such as
science, language, and reading, a student's IQ is tested (Hardman, et al., 2016). A student's
intellectual ability is measured and compared with the progress he or she is making academically
(Rosen, 2020). This model compares the average scores in relation to intelligence without
representing academic abilities. This model does not assess and evaluate the quality of
instruction students are receiving; however, it is simple to use and because it is performed by
