The most significant features of this book focus on its organization and content. Differing from all other introductory learning disabilities texts, this book provides a true introduction to the field of learning disabilities, but does not include material related to methods of teaching students with learning disabilities. Rather, it provides a wealth of information that will provide students with the knowledge necessary to understand this very nebulous category of disabilities. In doing so, the book will enable students to be better prepared for the methods courses that always follow the introductory course.

A lifespan approach is used, which follows individuals with learning disabilities from preschool and elementary ages through adulthood. In this text, learning disabilities is viewed as a broader category of disabilities than in many other books. A chapter on concomitant disabilities describes the many different problems that an individual can have in addition to exhibiting learning disabilities.