What percentage of students have specific learning disabilities?

US prevalence estimates: dyslexia 5–10% (most common LD); ADHD 5–8%; DLD (developmental language disorder) 7–10%; dyscalculia 3–6%; ASD 2–3%; dysgraphia 5–20% (range varies by definition). Total special education prevalence in US schools is approximately 15% of enrolled students.

Is dyslexia more common in boys?

Boys are diagnosed with dyslexia approximately 2–3x more often than girls in school settings. However, research suggests similar prevalence in both sexes when rigorous diagnostic criteria are used, indicating girls are underidentified due to masking strategies and differential referral bias.

Learning Disability Prevalence by Type Calculator

How It Works

Calculate expected prevalence of specific learning disabilities in a given student population based on population-level epidemiological rates from DSM-5 and national survey data. Covers dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, ASD, and speech/language

Each component has a specific meaning:

Population-level epidemiological rates from DSM-5 — The population-level epidemiological rates from dsm-5 recorded for the patient or scenario being assessed.
National survey data — The national survey data recorded for the patient or scenario being assessed.

Note: Interpret the ld prevalence result against the clinical thresholds and context described above.

How to Use

Enter the population-level epidemiological rates from DSM-5, national survey data for the patient or scenario you are assessing. Calculate expected prevalence of specific learning disabilities in a given student population based on population-level epidemiological rates from DSM-5 and national survey data. Covers dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, ASD, and speech/language. Use the ld prevalence result to inform your clinical assessment.

Glossary and Definitions

Learning disability: A key concept in LD Prevalence: Calculate expected prevalence of specific learning disabilities in a given student population based on population-level epidemiological rates from DSM-5 and national survey data. Covers dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, ASD, and speech/language.
Dyslexia prevalence: A key concept in LD Prevalence: Calculate expected prevalence of specific learning disabilities in a given student population based on population-level epidemiological rates from DSM-5 and national survey data. Covers dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, ASD, and speech/language.
Dyscalculia: A key concept in LD Prevalence: Calculate expected prevalence of specific learning disabilities in a given student population based on population-level epidemiological rates from DSM-5 and national survey data. Covers dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, ASD, and speech/language.
ADHD prevalence: A key concept in LD Prevalence: Calculate expected prevalence of specific learning disabilities in a given student population based on population-level epidemiological rates from DSM-5 and national survey data. Covers dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, ASD, and speech/language.
Special education needs: A key concept in LD Prevalence: Calculate expected prevalence of specific learning disabilities in a given student population based on population-level epidemiological rates from DSM-5 and national survey data. Covers dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, ASD, and speech/language.
SEN statistics: A key concept in LD Prevalence: Calculate expected prevalence of specific learning disabilities in a given student population based on population-level epidemiological rates from DSM-5 and national survey data. Covers dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, ASD, and speech/language.
LD Prevalence: The LD Prevalence computes a result from the inputs you provide, based on the method described above.