We know today that there is a group of children whose neurological disorders interfere with their way of processing information that, in many instances, will require the services and support of special education. These kinds of disorders usually affect the student's ability to read, write or do math calculations, or even affect the acquisition of social skills; the students who present them are generally called students with specific learning disabilities (SLD). However, in Portugal this seems not to be the case. By not considering SLD an area of disability that qualifies for special services, the Ministry of Education is limiting the access of students who present them to sound educational programs, thus preventing them from learning effectively in accordance to their characteristics and needs. With this in mind, this article attempts to conceptualize a Portuguese definition of SLD that could lead to an understanding of such a misguided issue and, thus, contribute to the elaboration of effective educational responses for students who present SLD.
learning disabilities; specific disability; special education