Learning disabilities

1. Learning disabilities Group B: Tami Triller, Kimberly Gerlach, Nikole Konrad and Melissa Piette

2. Specific Learning Disability IDEA 2004 Definition: “a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to think, listen, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations”

3. What is a Learning Disability? A neurological based processing disorder Children with a LD are as smart or smarter than their peers. Children with a LD may have difficulty with reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information if left to figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways. Cannot be cured but with the right intervention and teaching strategies, children with a LD can be as successful as children or adults without a LD LD Online: http://www.ldonline.org/ldbasics/whatisld

4. Fast Facts: LD Online: http://www.ldonline.org/ldbasics/whatisld 15 % of US population has a Learning Disability (more common in boys) Learning Disabilities often run in families 80% of people with a Learning Disability have difficulty with reading Not to be confused with other developmental disabilities such as Cognitive Disability, Autism, deafness, blindness, and behavioral disorders Learning Disabilities may occur along with ADD or ADHD but they are not the same

5. Fast Facts: LD Online http://www.ldonline.org/ldbasics/whatisld Generally Speaking: Common Diagnosed Learning Disabilities: • There often appears to be a gap between the individual’s potential and actual achievement • “Learning Disabilities” is an “umbrella” term describing a number of other, more specific learning disabilities • “The types of LD are identified by the specific processing problem. They might relate to getting information into the brain (Input), making sense of this information (Organization), storing and later retrieving this information (Memory), or getting this information back out (Output).” Learning Disabilities Association of America http://www.ldanatl.org/aboutld/teachers/understanding/ld.asp • Dyslexia • Dysgraphia • Dyscalculia • Dyspraxia • Auditory Processing Disorder • Non Verbal Learning Disorder • Visual Processing Disorder • Language Disorders

6. General Characteristics: Learning Disabilities Association of America Most Common: Other Characteristics: • Short attention span • Poor memory • Difficulty following directions • Inability to discriminate between/among letters, numerals, or sounds • Poor reading and/or writing ability • Eye-hand coordination problems; poorly coordinated • Difficulties with sequencing • Disorganization and other sensory difficulties • Low self confidence • Performs differently from day to day • Responds inappropriately in many instances • Distractible, restless, impulsive • Says one thing, means another • Difficult to discipline • Doesn’t adjust well to change • Difficulty listening and remembering • Difficulty telling time and knowing right from left • Difficulty sounding out words • Reverses letters • Places letters in incorrect sequence • Difficulty understanding words or concepts • Delayed speech development; immature speech

7. Types of Learning Disabilities: • Dyslexia(Reading Problems) – Student has trouble understanding written words; may read or see individual letters backwards, upside-down, etc. • Dysgraphia (Writing Problems) – Difficulty writing letters, especially in a confined space.

8. Types of Learning Disabilities: • Dyscalculia (Math problems) – difficulty solving arithmetic problems and grasping math concepts • Auditory and Visual Processing Disorders– difficulty understanding language despite normal hearing and vision

9. Types of Learning Disabilities: • Nonverbal Learning Disabilities - neurological disorder which originates in the right hemisphere of the brain, causing problems with visual-spatial, intuitive, organizational, evaluative and holistic processing functions. • Language Disorders- Difficulty understanding spoken language and poor reading comprehension

10. Classroom Strategies: Ideas for Motivation~ • Motivate using strengths and Interests~ • Immediate reinforcement • Use visuals, charts and graphs to monitor progress • Presentation Ideas~ • Clear, concise instructions • Several short assignments rather than one large assignment • Provide movement during presentation SNOW Special Needs Ontario Window http://snow.utoronto.ca/

11. Classroom Strategies: Ideas for Reading~ • Direct Instruction: • Model, Lead, Test • Offer guided practice • Activation of prior knowledge (essential!) • Use scaffolding practices • Be clear and explicit • Maintain organization • Reduce Quantity • Use high interest, low vocabulary SNOW Special Needs Ontario Window http://snow.utoronto.ca/

12. Classroom Strategies: Ideas for Writing~ • Allow more time • Negotiate quantity with student • Provide alternatives (audio recordings, word predictable word processing software) • Provide a copy of the notes with space to include additional information if needed • Read to the student what they have written, they may be able to self correct when they hear it out loud. • Provide a checklist of assignment necessities SNOW Special Needs Ontario Window http://snow.utoronto.ca/

13. Classroom Strategies: Ideas for Mathematics~ • Provide opportunity for extra drill • Use manipulatives and hands on materials • Pre-teach or re-teach problem solving vocabulary • Use review sheets • Allow use of the text • Read questions to the student SNOW Special Needs Ontario Window http://snow.utoronto.ca/

14. Classroom Strategies:General Ideas~ • Use peer tutoring • Create a supportive classroom environment • Teach “success attributes” such as: • Goal setting • Strategies to maintain emotional stability (self awareness, perseverance, etc) • Planning (using a daily organizer) • Prioritizing • Organization (using checklists, calendars, agendas, bulletin boards, reminders, date all assignments, etc.) • Use self reflection, self monitoring and self editing

15. Strategies based on specific Learning Disability~ • Dyslexia • For specific teaching strategies http://www.ldanatl.org/aboutld/teachers/understanding/dyslexia.asp • Dysgraphia • For specific teaching strategies http://www.ldanatl.org/aboutld/teachers/understanding/dysgraphia.asp • Dyscalculia • For specific teaching strategieshttp://www.ldanatl.org/aboutld/teachers/understanding/dyscalculia.asp • Auditory and Visual Processing Disorders • For specific teaching strategies: • http://www.ldanatl.org/aboutld/teachers/understanding/central.asp • http://www.ldanatl.org/aboutld/teachers/understanding/visual.asp • Nonverbal Learning Disabilities - • For specific teaching strategies: http://www.ldanatl.org/aboutld/teachers/understanding/non-verbal.asp • Language Disorders- • For specific teaching strategies: http://www.ldanatl.org/aboutld/teachers/understanding/language.asp

16. Assistive Technology: • Many Students can benefit from the use of assistive technology~ Here are some useful links: • Georgia Tools for Life • Family Center on Technology and Disability • Schwab Learning • Alliance for Technology Access • Technology Matrix – A searchable database • Learning Disabilities and Assistive Technology For More Information: http://www.ldonline.org/questions/technology#9909

17. Notable People with Learning Disabilities George WashingtonOrlando BloomTom CruiseAlexander Graham BellWhoopi GoldbergGeorge PattonJohn F. KennedyAndy WarholMuhammad AliThomas Edison Leonardo DaVinciWinston ChurchillNolan RyanAlbert EinsteinTommy HilfigerPicassoStonewall JacksonJohn LennonRobin WilliamsBruce Jenner

18. For More Information: • LD Online Multimedia Collection: http://www.ldonline.org/multimedia • LD Online: www.ldonline.com • Learning Disabilities Association of America: www.ldanatl.org • National Center for Learning Disabilities: www.ncld.org • Kid Source Online: http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/learningdis.html • Help Guide. Org http://www.helpguide.org/mental/learning_disabilities.htm

19. Peer Reviewed Journal Articles: • Anderson, J.A., Kutash, K., D& Duchnowski, A.J. (2001). A comparison of the academic progress of students with EBD and students with LD. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 2 (2), 10p. • Coplin, J.W. & Morgan, S.B. (1988). Learning disabilities: A multidimensional perspective. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 21 (10), 614-622. • Deshler, D.D., Shumaker, J.B., Lenz, B.K., Bulgren, J.A., Hock, M.F., Knight, K., et al. (2001). Ensuring content area learning by secondary students with learning disabilities.Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 16, 96-108. • Hoy, C.A. & Gregg, K.N. (1984). Description and definition of learning disabilities: Academic assessment and remediation of adults with learning disabilities. ERIC Database. • Pintrich, P.R., Anderman, E.M., & Klobucar, C. (1994). Intraindividual differences in motivation and cognition in students with and without learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 27 (6), 360-370. • Raskind, M.H., Goldberg, R.J., Higgins, E.L., & Herman, K.L. (2002). Teaching “life success” to students with LD: Lessons learned form a 20 year study. Intervention in School and Clinic, 37 (4), 201-208