learning disabilities have a disproportionate identification of racial and ethnic minorities and students who have low socioeconomic status (ses). while some attribute the disproportionate identification of racial/ethnic minorities to racist practices or cultural misunderstanding, others have argued that racial/ethnic minorities are overidentified because of their lower status. similarities were noted between the behaviors of “brain-injured” and lower class students as early as the 1960s. the distinction between race/ethnicity and ses is important to the extent that these considerations contribute to the provision of services to children in need.