Blueprint Protocol for Certification of Learning Disability (LD)

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Blueprint Protocol for Certification of Learning Disability (LD)

For Developmental / Child Guidance / Neurodevelopmental Centers
(Aligned to Indian school systems & government expectations)

Prepared by:
Dr S Kondekar
Consultant – Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
www.autismdoctor.in | 9869405747



1. Purpose of LD Certification

Learning Disability (LD) certification is meant to:

  • Identify specific academic processing deficits

  • Differentiate LD from low IQ, poor teaching, autism, ADHD

  • Enable school accommodations (extra time, exemptions, scribes)

  • Provide official documentation for boards and schools

This protocol ensures certification is: ✔ Scientifically valid
✔ Defensible in schools & boards
✔ Ethical and child-focused

2. Eligibility Criteria (Entry Gate)

A child can enter LD certification pathway if:

  • Age ≥ 7 years (or Std 2 completed)

  • Regular school exposure ≥ 2 years

  • Average or borderline intelligence

  • Persistent academic difficulty despite support

❌ NOT eligible if primary issue is:

  • Intellectual Disability

  • Uncorrected sensory deficit

  • Severe untreated autism

  • Emotional deprivation / absenteeism

3. Multidisciplinary Team (Mandatory)

ProfessionalRole
Developmental PediatricianDiagnosis, exclusion, certification
Clinical PsychologistIQ + LD battery
Special EducatorAcademic & functional assessment
Speech-Language PathologistLanguage-based LD
Occupational TherapistVisual-motor / writing issues

4. Step-by-Step Certification Protocol

STEP 1: Intake & Screening (Week 0)

Documents Required:

  • School reports (2 years)

  • Teacher remarks

  • Previous therapy reports

  • Vision & hearing clearance

Screening Tools:

  • Academic checklist

  • ADHD / ASD screening

  • Classroom functioning history

Outcome: ☐ Proceed to LD workup
☐ Treat attention / behavior first

STEP 2: Cognitive Assessment (Week 1–2)

Tool:

  • MISIC / WISC (Indian adapted)

Criteria:

  • IQ ≥ 85 (or as per state norms)

  • Profile analysis (verbal vs performance)

❌ If IQ low → redirect to ID pathway

STEP 3: Specific Learning Disability Battery (Week 2–3)

Approved / Commonly Accepted Tools:

  • NIMHANS SLD Battery

  • Grade-level academic probes

  • Curriculum-based assessment

Domains Tested:

  • Reading (accuracy, fluency, comprehension)

  • Writing (spelling, expression)

  • Mathematics (concepts, calculations)

STEP 4: Differential Diagnosis (Critical Step)

Rule out:

  • ADHD-driven academic failure

  • Autism-related comprehension issues

  • Language disorder

  • Poor instruction or bilingual mismatch

Decision Matrix Used:

  • Ability vs achievement gap

  • Error pattern consistency

  • Cross-setting confirmation

STEP 5: Functional Impact & School Corroboration

Mandatory confirmation from school:

  • Persistent difficulty across years

  • Discrepancy despite remediation

  • Classroom observations (if possible)

Without school corroboration → ❌ NO certification

STEP 6: Final Diagnostic Conference

Team review of:

  • IQ profile

  • LD battery scores

  • School feedback

  • Functional impact

Diagnosis framed as:

  • Specific Learning Disorder – Reading / Writing / Math / Mixed

5. Certification Format (Gold Standard)

Certificate must include:

  • Child identifiers

  • Diagnostic criteria used

  • Tools administered (with dates)

  • Clear diagnosis statement

  • Validity period (usually 3 years)

  • Recommended accommodations

Signed & sealed by:

  • Developmental Pediatrician / Psychiatrist

  • Clinical Psychologist

6. Recommended Accommodations (Attach Sheet)

  • Extra time (25–50%)

  • Writer / scribe

  • Oral exams (where applicable)

  • Reduced curriculum load

  • Use of assistive technology

7. Ethical & Legal Safeguards

✔ No certification below age norms ✔ No certification without IQ ✔ No backdated certificates ✔ Periodic re-evaluation ✔ Parent counselling mandatory

8. Red Flags – STOP Certification

  • Parent shopping for certificate

  • Pressure from schools

  • Child failing due to absenteeism

  • Recent school change (<1 year)

9. Integration with Autism & ADHD

If child has:

  • Autism + LD → certify LD only if academic deficit is beyond autism

  • ADHD + LD → treat ADHD first; reassess

10. Output of the Developmental Center

Your center should deliver:

  • Diagnostic report

  • LD certificate

  • Accommodation recommendation sheet

  • Parent guidance note

  • School explanation letter (optional)

11. Positioning This as a Center Model

You may brand this as: “Comprehensive LD Certification Program”

Includes:

  • Multidisciplinary assessment

  • Ethical certification

  • School liaison

  • Follow-up planning

12. Flagship Program Positioning

Program Name

Dr S Kondekar – Integrated Neurodevelopmental Certification & School Readiness Program (INCSRP)

Flagship Components

This flagship program integrates three high-demand services into one coherent pathway:

  1. Combined School Readiness Assessment (CNSRM)
    – Autism + ADHD + Learning Disability readiness

  2. Ethical Learning Disability Certification
    – Multidisciplinary, board-defensible LD certification

  3. School Placement & Accommodation Guidance
    – Regular / Inclusive / Special school decision + supports

Who Is This Program For?

  • Children aged 6–14 years with academic or school-adjustment concerns

  • Autism / ADHD children struggling in mainstream schools

  • Parents confused between shadow vs special school vs regular school

  • Schools seeking objective certification & placement advice

Program Flow (Flagship Journey)

Week 0–1: Intake, screening, school data collection
Week 2: CNSRM combined readiness assessment
Week 3–4: IQ + LD battery (if indicated)
Week 4: Multidisciplinary case conference
Week 5: Certification + school-ready roadmap

Deliverables (What Parents & Schools Receive)

  • Combined Readiness Report (CNSRM score)

  • Learning Disability Certificate (if eligible)

  • Accommodation Recommendation Sheet

  • School Placement Recommendation

  • Parent counselling note

  • School explanation letter (optional)

Quality & Ethics Promise

✔ No rushed certificates
✔ No diagnosis-shopping
✔ School-corroborated decisions
✔ Periodic review & follow-up

Branding & Positioning Line

“Right Diagnosis. Right School. Right Support.”

Dr S Kondekar
Consultant – Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
www.autismdoctor.in | 9869405747

This flagship protocol is designed for developmental centers aiming to deliver ethical, comprehensive, and outcome-oriented neurodevelopmental services.

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