**2. Learning disabilities in Spain**

In Spain, the term learning disabilities has been used for many years in a general sense. It has been considered synonymous with the broader concept of special educational needs [10–12]. According to this conceptualization, learning disabilities were not considered a specific diagnostic condition; instead, the term referred to problems or difficulties a student could have with learning, regardless of their cause. However, the publication of the *Ley Orgánica de Educación* (Organic Education Law) [13] and the *Ley Orgánica para la Mejora de la Calidad Educativa* (Organic Law for Improving the Quality of Education) [14] marked a major change because the term *special educational needs* was replaced by the expression *specific needs for educational support* due to special educational needs, specific learning disabilities, giftedness, or late entrance into the school system [15]. Developmental dyslexia falls within the category of specific learning disabilities. Spain is organized into 17 autonomous regions and two autonomous cities. Some regional governments like Andalusia, Canary Islands, Catalonia, Murcia, and Navarra have adopted definitions of specific learning disabilities, based essentially on significantly lower achievement on an individualized normative test (*P*<sup>c</sup> < 25) and exclusionary criteria (sensory impairments, intellectual disability, etc.).

The educational response to learning disabilities takes place through different service arrangements in schools. In Spain, treatment for learning disabilities involves evaluation, educational counseling, and educational support using ordinary resources such as small group attention or individual attention and extraordinary measures such as individual curricular adaptations (ACIs; *Adaptaciones Curriculares Individualizadas*). Children with learning disabilities receive some special classes in resource rooms during 3 h in a week.

In Spain, three types of interconnected professional groups provide support to children with learning disabilities: (a) special education teachers; (b) speech and language disorders teachers, who carry out individualized treatments; and (c) professionals in educational psychology. In Spain, they are called *Equipos de Orientación Escolar y Psicopedagógica* (School Counselling and Psychoeducational Teams) or *Servicios Psicopedagógicos Escolares* (School Psychoeducational Services) [10–12, 15].
