This article reviews the role of development in the concept of discrepancy. Development is first defined generally and then differentiated into five types. Each type is then related to discrepancy and the notion of normal variability. The nature of individual differences is discussed in relation to the use of discrepancy for identifying other handicapping conditions. A discrepancy between ability and achievement is shown to occur within normal development and therefore is not appropriate for defining learning disabilities. It is concluded that discrepancy may be better used within learning disabilities rather than in between distinguishing learning disabilities and other handicapping conditions.
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