Learning Disabilities

What is a learning disability?

Having trouble: Processing information Organizing information Applying information

Types of Learning Disabilities

Dyslexia A language and reading disability

DyscalculiaProblems with arithmetic and math concepts

DysgraphiaA writing disorder resulting in illegibility

Dyspraxia (Sensory Integration Disorder)

Problems with motor coordination

Types of Learning Disabilities

Central Auditory Processing DisorderDifficulty processing and remembering language-related tasks

Non-Verbal Learning DisordersTrouble with nonverbal cues, e.g., body language; poor coordination, clumsy

Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor DeficitReverses letters; cannot copy accurately;

Language Disorders (Aphasia/Dysphasia)Trouble understanding spoken language; poor reading comprehension

Causes or Presumed causes of Learning Disabilities

NO real causes Might be caused by:

HereditaryTeratogenicMedicalEnvironmental

Incidence Rates

Estimated 15 % of the U.S. population

6 % to 8 % of school age population

Not a Learning Disability

• Visual• Hearing• Motor disabilities• Mental retardation• Emotional disturbance• Environmental, cultural, or economic

disadvantage

Does my student have ADD or ADHD?

Hyperactive ImpulsiveFidgety Inattentive Disorganized

Unreasonable emotional negativity

Emotional outbursts Frustration over minor issues Bedwetting (All characteristics may vary with age)

Approaches to diagnose ADD and ADHD

Evaluate student’s behavior Continuous performance test

(CPT)Diagnosis should be based on

multiple pieces of information and observations

Approaches used to diagnose dyslexia

Today, only after a student has reading difficulties can dyslexia be diagnosed

Dyslexia may have “biological roots”

Psychological testing can determine if a child has dyslexia

Characteristics of Learning Disabilities

Most students exhibit uneven areas of ability

Student is physically “normal”Average or above average

intelligenceCommonly found in general

education classes: dyslexia and ADD/ADHD

Many LDs need to be medically diagnosed

Does the child have dyslexia?

Reading characteristics

Writing characteristics

Numbers/Sequencing

Celebrities with dyslexia

• Tom Cruise

• Walt Disney

• Henry “The Fonz” Winkler

• Magic Johnson

Celebrities with ADD/ADHD

• Ty Pennington

• Ellen Degeneres

• Robin Williams

• Tracy Gold

INSTRUCTIONAL IDEAS: ASSISTANCE WITH AUDIO AND

VISUAL ASPECTS OF LEARNING

Teachers may find the following helpful:Repeat and summarize oral lecture notes

and give students written versions of key points.

Verbalize what is being written on the chalkboard and read aloud the material contained in handouts.

Send students a copy of booklist for upcoming semester/school year so that students can “get a jump on” the reading assignments.

ASSISTANCE DURING ASSESSMENTS:

The teacher may wish to:Choose an alternate exam site away from

the general education classroom. Ensure that this alternate locale is free from auditory and visual distracters.

Avoid confusing or complicated language and/or consider a substitute exam/assessment.

Allow student extra time to complete exams/assignments, especially if there are unique demands regarding reading and writing skills.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL IDEAS

Teachers should:Supporting learning with visualsStressing step-by-step instructions

For students with ADHD, teachers should:

Give only one assignment at a time.

TECHNOLOGY USED

COMPUTERS:For writing assignments, students with LD

should be allowed to use a computer (if available) so that they can get spelling support through the spell check program.

Students with dyslexia may find that writing assignments are more easily completed on a computer.

Consider trying computer software, like Kurzweil 3000, which reads textbooks and other materials to students.

OTHER ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Teachers may:Allow students to use calculators during

Math, when the goal is concept attainment (and not automaticity of math facts)

Allow students to tape record lectures and/or tape notes for students.

Allow students who cannot speak clearly to use a speech synthesizer

Assessment:Allow for alternate forms of assessment by

allowing students to demonstrate learning through such things as portfolios, slide presentations, photographic essays, or taped interviews.

INTERESTING FACTS

EMOTIONAL ISSUES Students with learning disabilities may suffer from emotional problems/depression, and/or low self-esteem. This may cause students to withdraw from social interaction. These same students may turn to drugs or alcohol for

relief from feelings of low self-worth. As many as 35% of students with learning disorders, drop out of High School (Girod, 2001, p. 31). “Teenagers with dyslexia …[are] more likely to…think

about and to attempt suicide than other young people their

age” (Landau, 2004, pp. 48-9).

Additional Resources• Learning Disabilities Association of America

4156 Library RoadPittsburgh, PA 15234(412) 341-1515

• President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities1331 F Street, N.W.Washington, DC 20004(202) 376-6200

• National Center for Law and Learning DisabilitiesP.O. Box 368Cabin John, MD 20818(301) 469-8308

• http://www.ldonline.org/• http://www.iser.com/index.shtml• http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/learning/learning_disabilities.shtml• http://www.starbeacon.com/index.asp?MC=NEXT&NID=4&AID=3767

Resourceshttp://www.odc.state.or.us/tadoc/ada40.htmhttp://65.54.187.250/cgibin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=d0b0b9bbf10d4f4426ce5e44a90e1454&lat=1084629747&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fericec%2eorg%2ffact%2ffamous%2ehtmlhttp://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread/t-4159.htmlFlynn, M. & Flynn, P. (1998). Thinking about having a learning disability. London: Belitha Press. Girod, C. M. (2001). Diseases and disorders: Learning disabilities. San Diego: Lucent

Books.  Landau, E. (2004). Dyslexia. New York: Franklin Watts.  Silverstein, A., Silverstein V., & Silverstein Nunn, L. (2001). Dyslexia. New York: Franklin Watts. "How Not to Diagnose ADHD" Contemporary Pediatrics Archive, Nov. 1996 by Martin Baren MD, James Swanson, PhD "The Clinical Characteristics of Behaviors of ADD/ADHD People Vary with Age" ADD Medical Treatment Center of Santa Clara valley The Gardner School online site. www.gardnerschool.org "Georgetown researchers to present evidence of biological cause of dyslexia" Press release Feb 14, 2001. Georgetown University Medical Center Learning Disabilities Association of America www.ldanatl.org The International Dyslexia Society, www.interdys.org