Critics charge substantial numbers of parents and their children are abusing federal disability laws -- claiming "learning disabilities" to get favored treatment at school.

• Every year, an average of 120,000 more students are diagnosed with a learning disability -- the total now reaching 2.6 million compared to 1.9 million in 1989.

• The cost of educating a disabled student ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 per year -- compared to $5,000 per student in regular education.

• While the government estimates learning disabled children are 15 percent of the student population, experts contend the figure is more like 5 percent.

• The federal government pays 9 percent of the costs of a child needing special education.

In Virginia, for example, the state pays 3 percent -- leaving local government to pay the remaining costs.

Some psychologists point out that a leaning difference in a child does not necessarily equate to a disability. Nevertheless, there are special clinical words to describe those who have trouble reading, doing math or writing. Experts say labeling a child "learning disabled" could encourage him to blame everything he can't do on his supposed disability. Thus, he never learns that effort can lead to success.