Learning Disabilities in the Classroom

“Life is not so much a matter of holding good cards but of playing a poor hand well” Robert Louis Stevenson

The term learning disabilities refers to a neurobiological disorder in one or more of the basic processes involved in understanding spoken or written language. It may influence an individual’s ability to speak, listen, read, write spell, reason, organize information or do mathematical calculations.

Reading Disability (Dyslexia) Math (Dyscalculia) Nonverbal Learning Written Expression Disorder (Dysgraphia) Math (Dyscalculia) Nonverbal Learning Difficulties Spelling Handwriting Visual-Spatial & Social Writing

Skill Areas That May Be Affected By Learning Disabilities Receptive & Expressive Language Auditory/Phonological Processing Visual-Motor Processing Visual Processing Attention / Concentration Memory Metacognition Organizational/Study Skills Social Skills

Disorders of Attention Does not focus when a lesson is presented; short attention span, easily distracted, poor concentration; may display hyperactivity

Psychological Processing Deficits Problems in processing auditory or visual information (difficulty interpreting visual or auditory stimuli)

Oral Language Difficulties Underlying language disorders; problems in language development, listening, speaking, and vocabulary

Lacks Phonological Awareness Poor at recognizing sounds of language; cannot identify phoneme sounds in spoken language, and cannot manipulate these sounds

Poor Cognitive Strategies for Learning Does not know how to go about the task of learning and studying; lacks organizational skills; passive learning style, does not direct his own learning

Poor Motor Abilities Difficulty with gross motor abilities and fine motor coordination (exhibits general awkwardness and clumsiness)

Poor in tasks requiring written expression, spelling, and handwriting Writing Difficulties Poor in tasks requiring written expression, spelling, and handwriting

Social Skills Does not know how to act and talk in social situations; difficulty with establishing satisfying social relationships and friendships

Mathematics Difficulty with quantitative thinking, arithmetic, time, space, and calculation facts

Reading Difficulties About 80% of students with learning disabilities have disabilities in reading; problems in learning to decode words, basic word recognition skills, or reading comprehension

How to Play a Poor Hand Well? If provided with the right support, a teacher of a student with learning disabilities can help the student succeed in school by both fostering the student’s strengths and recognizing his weaknesses