What category of cognitive disabilities most consistently includes the characteristics of a marked gap between intellectual ability and school performance?

Specific learning disabilities (SLDs) are characterized by a significant discrepancy between a child's intellectual ability and their academic performance. This category often includes issues such as difficulties with reading, writing, or math—that is, children may demonstrate average or above-average intelligence yet struggle significantly in school. This gap highlights that their cognitive processes may not translate effectively into academic achievement, which is a hallmark of SLDs.

In this context, emotional disturbances may impact a child's ability to perform in school, but they do not specifically correlate to gaps in intellectual functioning versus academic success. Intellectual disabilities generally indicate lower intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, which affects all areas of academic learning and development. Developmental delays encompass a broad range of delays in physical, cognitive, communication, social/emotional, and adaptive skills but are not specifically related to the discrepancy between cognitive ability and school performance. Therefore, SLDs are the most consistent category reflecting this particular characteristic.