My child is struggling in school — how do I tell if it's a learning disability or just normal difficulty?

Red flags for learning disabilities include persistent difficulty with reading despite adequate instruction (possible dyslexia), consistent trouble with math concepts (dyscalculia), illegible handwriting with great effort (dysgraphia), or a pattern of smart-but-struggling — bright in conversation but poor on tests. The key word is 'persistent' — all children struggle sometimes. If difficulties don't improve with extra help and have lasted 6+ months, request a formal evaluation from your school district (they're legally required to evaluate). Consult your pediatrician, who can rule out vision, hearing, or attention issues.