On Babies and Bathwater: Addressing the Problems of Identification of Learning Disabilities

In this article, we review problems in identification of learning disabilities and consider proposed alternatives to present procedures. We argue that no proposed alternative meets all the necessary criteria for identification of learning disabilities, and that radically altering or eliminating current conceptualizations of learning disabilities may amount to “throwing the baby out with the bathwater.” We conclude that the major problems of identification of learning disabilities — including overidentification, variability, and specificity — can be eliminated by increasing specificity and consistency of state criteria and strict adherence to identification criteria on the local implementation level. Finally, we argue that scarce special education funds should not be employed to address the problems of general education.