Learning Disabilities TLSE 240

What do all these people have in common? Cher Jay Leno Whoopi Goldberg Charles Schwab Greg Louganis Bruce Jenner Nelson Rockefeller

They all have or had a LEARNING DISABILITY….

IDEA Definition “ a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language… (Psychological processes are memory, perception, attention, etc.)

continued that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do math calculations…”

Includes conditions such as: Perceptual disabilities Brain injury Minimal brain dysfunction Dyslexia Developmental aphasia

Does not include Problems primarily resulting from Sensory or motor disabilities Mental retardation Emotional disturbance Environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage

Learning Disabilities (LD) Most common disability among students who receive special education (50.8% of all disabilities) Several kinds of specific learning disabilities exist (i.e., reading, math, writing, etc.) Difficulty in learning, especially in speaking, listening, writing, reading, and mathematics

LD continued Presumed cause is central nervous system dysfunction Unexpected under achievement is a common characteristic Average or above average IQ Discrepancy between potential to learn and level of achievement

Discrepancy Compare IQ level on IQ test with achievement test scores Not a perfect way to assess Issues with discrepancy approach/formula

Some Characteristics Difficulty in understanding and following directions Short attention span Difficulty with handwriting and fine motor skills Visual or auditory memory Memorizing words or basic math facts Difficulty allocating time and organizing work

Characteristics continued Segmenting words into sounds and blending sounds May confuse letters and words (b, d) (was, saw) Poor phonics/decoding/phonological awareness Rapid naming Inefficient learning strategies

Terms Dyslexia – severe disability in learning to read, especially as related to decoding and spelling Dysgraphia – severe disability in learning to write, including handwriting

continued Dyscalculia – severe disability in learning math concepts and computations

LD History Coined by Sam Kirk in 1963 in Chicago Previous terms Fast growing category Controversy Invisible disability

History continued Kirk Orton Process/product debate

Assumed Causes Neurological based Part of brain responsible for sounds and symbols May be genetic link Lead paint injection FAS

Teaching Ideas Direct instruction Memory/learning strategies Self-management Multi-sensory learning Organized learning

Teaching Ideas continued Task analysis Accommodations Projects Technologies Other

Other Facts - LD Learning disabilities often run in families Learning disabilities is a life long disability About 35% of students with LD drop out of school

Other Facts continued Learning disabilities can be a serious obstacle to gainful employment 50% of young criminals were determined to have learning disabilities 85% of Americans often confuse learning disabilities with mental retardation Early and appropriate interventions are essential