Learning disabilities are the most common reason for children to be in special education, both on the reservations and in the United States as a whole.

Students with learning disabilities have problems learning to read, write, speak or perform mathematical calculations. They are not mentally retarded, physically disabled or emotionally disturbed. Their learning problems are not due to living in a disadvantaged home or poor schooling. People with learning disabilities have all of the tools to learn - physically, mentally, emotionally and socially, they are perfectly normal except for the fact of not being able to learn to read, write, speak or do math in the same way that other people learn.