Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental differences in children. ADHD impacts an individual’s ability to focus, sustain attention, motivate to do tasks, control impulses, and problem solve, among many other symptoms. There are three main types of ADHD: 1) Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type which can be characterized by challenges with impulse control, hyperactivity, fighting, difficulty sitting still, needing to run and move constantly, grabbing things without thinking and interrupting in conversation. 2) Predominantly inattentive type characterized by having a hard time completing tasks, paying attention to details, or following conversations. 3) Combined presentation is when an individual presents characteristics of both hyperactivity and inattentiveness. 

Dyslexia
So much more than a reading disorder. Dyslexia is a neurologically-based learning difference that impacts language production and perception. Dyslexia affects between 8 and 20% of the global population. Dyslexia interrupts the neurological processes needed to break words into individual sounds (phonemes), manipulate sounds in words (phonological processing), recognize sounds in words (phonological awareness) and recognize, visualize, orient, and create letters (orthographic processing). Dyslexia can also impact sequential processing which can result in unorganized language productions such as grammatical errors, or unorganized stories, and difficulty with sequenced tasks such as alphabetizing, organizing, or tying shoes. 

Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a learning difference that impacts written language. Dysgraphia makes tasks of transcription difficult such as handwriting, organizing writing on a piece of paper, spelling, and letter formation. Dysgraphia can also impact typing.

Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia impacts an individual’s ability to understand math concepts such as larger than, smaller than, or more or less, that the digits represent concepts of numbers, memorizing math facts, estimating time, counting and remembering money, and judging and comparing speeds and distances. 5-10% of the population may have dyscalculia. Dyslexia, dysgraphia and ADHD can also impact math skills. Dyscalculia can be differentiated from other math challenges by the inability to understand the concepts of math versus having trouble memorizing math facts, or switching numbers or operations. 

Phonological Processing/Awareness
Phonological processing is the ability to hear and manipulate sounds within words. phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and sequence sounds within words. For example, recognizing the word cat is made up of three sounds, /c/, /a/, /t/ shows phonological awareness. Removing the /c/ from “cat" to make “at” shows phonological processing. Phonological awareness and phonological processing are foundational skills needed for reading and spelling.

Expressive Language
Expressive language is our ability to transport our thoughts, feelings, ideas, and knowledge into the minds of others. Speech, writing, sign language, written numbers, symbols, and pictograms are all forms of expressive language. 

Receptive Language
Receptive language refers to the ability to gain and understand messages and information from others by reading, listening, or interpreting. 

Dyspraxia (apraxia)
Known by many names, dyspraxia, apraxia, or Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) disrupts speech signals from the brain to the articulators (lips, teeth, tongue) resulting in uncoordinated speech movements. Symptoms of CAS include distorted or changed sounds in words, more difficulty saying longer words, and inconsistent error patterns in speech, saying the same words with different errors each time. CAS can lead to problems in reading, writing and spelling. 

Executive Function
Mental processes involved in remembering, regulating, problem solving, focusing, impulse control, and working memory. Executive functioning skill deficits can co-occur with learning differences, ADHD, autism, and mental health disorders. 

Assistive Technology
High tech or low tech equipment that is designed to help individuals with disabilities function more independently. Assistive technology can include high tech devices like tablets, electronic dictionaries, or computers and low tech devices such as communication boards, picture exchange stands, and strategy cards.

Individual Education Plan (IEP)
A written plan within the public school system that “guides your students' learning while in special education.” The IEP details the time per day/week a child will receive specific intervention services. IEPs can have academic and behavioral goals depending on the areas the student qualifies for help. IEP services can be delivered in a pull out room or in the classroom. IEP intervention may be provided by a special education teacher, speech language pathologist, occupational therapist or other specialist depending on the needs of the child. 

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The IDEA is the law that ensure free and appropriate public education to “eligible children with disabilities.” The IDEA covers children with disabilities from birth to 21 years in public education settings. IEP rules and regulations are dictated by the IDEA. 

Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
FAPE is a “legal concept” under IDEA stating that public schools must “provide each child with a disability with free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.” 

504 Plan
A 504 plan secures accommodations for students with disabilities. A 504 plan does not include school intervention. Common accommodations include extra time on tests, use of speech to text software and access to audiobooks. 

Accommodations
Accommodations and changes to the way a student receives information or the way a student demonstrates information that limit the impacts of their disability as much as possible. For example a student with dyslexia may read using an audiobook rather than print book. 

Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is an inclusive term to describe individuals with “non-typical” brains. The label of neurodiversity includes individuals with dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, and ADHD.

Thank you Alicia Weeks for your hard work in pulling this together.

References 

About IDEA. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (2020, November 24). Retrieved October 11, 2021, from here. 

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Childhood apraxia of speech. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from here. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, September 23). What is ADHD? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from here. 

Executive Function & Self-regulation. Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2020, March 24). Retrieved October 6, 2021, from here. 

Free appropriate public education (FAPE) - individuals with disabilities education act. Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11, 2021, from here. 

Ospi. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2021, from here. 

Understood. (2021, March 30). What is dyscalculia? Understood. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from here. 

What is AT? Assistive Technology Industry Association. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2021, from here. 

What is neurodiversity? definition and resources: Wake Forest University. WFU Online Counseling. (2020, August 7). Retrieved October 14, 2021, from here. 

What is the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan? What is the difference between an IEP and a 504 Plan? | AccessComputing. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2021, from here.