Strategies for Students with Learning Disabilities

Gina McGrath & Tony Belden

What is a Learning disability?• Students do not perform to their potential.• Disorder of a basic psychological process.• Imperfect ability to:

– listen– think– speak– read– write – spell– do math

Limitations vs. Potential to Learn

• Bad news - PR for funding problems, prison enrollment and school disruption.

• 1 year after high school.– unemployed or underemployed.– 70-80% live with parents.

• Poor social skills.– low self-esteem.– lack of goals.– lack of skills.

Life is a...

I’m LD; Will you help me?

• K - 12 Everyone helps me.• 1975 Education for All

Handicapped Children Act.• Student has little control

of IEP.• Early 1990s, Individuals

with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).– mandates student

participation in IEP.

Post-Secondary LD Shock!

• Accommodations student responsibility.

• Disclosure is up to the student.

• Peers number in the hundreds or thousands.

• Parentally-impaired?– Parents have no say, legally.– Student has no more

parental crutch.

Learn about YOUR LD.• Integrated system of

success planning.• Understand your

disability.• Know your limitations.• Become a self-advocate.

– Know when to self-disclose.– Know your rights.– Uphold your sense of

dignity.

Vary modalities of Instruction.• Integrated teaching system.

• Computer-mediated instruction.• Shift from remediation to

compensation.• Best-fit.

– mastery components.– frequent quizzes.– immediate feedback.– review units.

Self- regulation: LD Success.• Desire to prove oneself.

– Develop determination.– Transcend adversity.– Gain sense of purpose.

• Goal orientation.– Realistic aspirations.– Short- & long-term goals.

• Reframing.– Recognize & accept LD.– Recognize weakness.– Take action.

External Control Themes.

• Persistence: develop superior work ethic.

• Goodness-of- fit: find support & nuturance.

• Learned Creativity: use educational & vocational systems.

• Social ecologies: network of family & friends for self-improvement.

Integrated Learning = Success.

• Self-Advocacy.• Understand your

learning disability.• Learn cognitive

strategies.• Use cognitive

strategies.• Stay focused on

the goal.