PART 2 REPORT ON THE COMMISSION’S FORUM ON THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION FOR CWLD Panel 3: Learning Disabilities: An Introduction by Dr. Hasnah Toran, Senior Lecturer of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. 8. Dr. Hasnah Toran provided the different terms and definition of “learning disabilities” adopted by different jurisdictions. 9. Referring to the US’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), she explained the classification of disabilities which include:• • • • • • • Autism. Intellectual disability. Specific learning disability. Speech or language impairment. Traumatic brain injury. Other health impairment. Multiple disabilities. 10. In classifying the individuals, the US Office of Education adopted a test known as “Model Discrepancy” where discrepancy between IQ and achievement is used as the main criteria to diagnose learning disabilities. This Model is a combination of IQ test, academic achievement test, class achievement, social interaction and aptitude. Other areas of assessment may include perception, cognition, memory, attention and language abilities. The result is used to determine whether a child’s academic performance commensurate with his or her cognitive ability. 11. She flagged that whilst Malaysia recognized several types of disabilities as learning disabilities including autism, syndrome down, cerebral palsy, the screening / test in Malaysia does not include IQ tests. 12. She suggested the adoption of a test known as ‘Response to Intervention’ which is a student centred assessment model that uses problem-solving and research-based methods to identify and address learning difficulties in children. It provides systematic interventions based on the scientific literature that can be evaluated to determine intervention efficacy. It also can be used to predict at-risk students and to intervene in cases where students are facing academic and behavioural difficulties. 13. She expressed concern over the public’s understanding and perception when dealing with children with learning disabilities. Often, public perceives mental retardation, mental/intellectual disabilities and mental disorder as the same whereas each disability presents different meanings. Awareness campaign is necessary in order to create a clear picture on learning disabilities. 14. She further stressed the need to educate teachers and parents in relation to the issue of learning disabilities. 55