You may have been told that
your child has learning deficits. Usually this means that your child
is functioning much below his classmates. This discrepancy (or difference)
can be measured in terms of age or grade level, or a number score. All
are ways of comparing your child to others at a similar point in life.
The number (often a percentile or standard score) is a statistical measure
comparing your child to the average child. The age and grade equivalents
compare your child to others at their age or grade level. Discrepancies
of this sort are seen in absolute terms, and can suggest to you that
your child is functioning significantly below (or above) his peers.