Hidden Disabilities Presented by Anita Moore

Test Your Knowledge Let’s test your disabilities. Let’s test your disabilities. Take 5-10 minutes to complete this puzzle. Take 5-10 minutes to complete this puzzle.

Test Your Knowledge Answers

Goal of Workshop Achieve a better understanding of the impact of hidden disabilities Achieve a better understanding of the impact of hidden disabilities Improve interactions with students who have hidden disabilities Improve interactions with students who have hidden disabilities Increase awareness of possible accommodations and assistive technology Increase awareness of possible accommodations and assistive technology Learn effective strategies for teaching Learn effective strategies for teaching Learn how to make course materials more accessible Learn how to make course materials more accessible

What are hidden disabilities? Any disability that can’t be seen with the naked eye. Any disability that can’t be seen with the naked eye. Examples: learning disabilities, ADHD, mental illness, epilepsy, cancer, arthritis, traumatic brain injury, AIDS and asthma Examples: learning disabilities, ADHD, mental illness, epilepsy, cancer, arthritis, traumatic brain injury, AIDS and asthma

What is it like to have a hidden disability? Read Robyn’s story Read Robyn’s story Discussion Questions: Discussion Questions: Do you have any students that are similar to Robyn? Do you have any students that are similar to Robyn? What have you found to be the best way to help students like Robyn? What have you found to be the best way to help students like Robyn? What has been the biggest challenge in working with students with hidden disabilities? What has been the biggest challenge in working with students with hidden disabilities?

Hidden Disabilities at Heartland Students registered with DSS in FY 05 Students registered with DSS in FY 05 56% had Learning Disabilities 56% had Learning Disabilities 14% had ADD/ADHD 14% had ADD/ADHD 9% had Psychological Disorders 9% had Psychological Disorders

Students with Learning Disabilities Definitions/Range of Disabilities Definitions/Range of Disabilities Impact of Learning Disabilities Impact of Learning Disabilities Limitations Imposed by Learning Disabilities Limitations Imposed by Learning Disabilities Overcoming Limitations Overcoming Limitations

Learning Disabilities Defined Neurological Disabilities that may alter an individual’s ability to store, process, retrieve or produce information (Thornton, 2000). Neurological Disabilities that may alter an individual’s ability to store, process, retrieve or produce information (Thornton, 2000). Manifested by significant difficulties in listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or math. Manifested by significant difficulties in listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or math. No one type of learning disability. There is no specific profile to describe a person with a learning disability. No one type of learning disability. There is no specific profile to describe a person with a learning disability.

Types of Learning Disabilities Dyslexia: affects a student’s reading skills and development. Dyslexia: affects a student’s reading skills and development. Dysgraphia: affects a students ability to write Dysgraphia: affects a students ability to write Dyscalculia: affects a student’s ability to perform math calculations Dyscalculia: affects a student’s ability to perform math calculations Information Processing Disabilities: affects a student’s ability to assign meaning to sensory information of all kinds (auditory, visual) Information Processing Disabilities: affects a student’s ability to assign meaning to sensory information of all kinds (auditory, visual)

Impact of Learning Disabilities The impact of a learning disability varies according to: The impact of a learning disability varies according to: Severity of the disability Severity of the disability Educational setting Educational setting Use of Assistive Technology Use of Assistive Technology

Limitations imposed by learning disabilities Difficulty reading text Difficulty reading text Spelling difficulties Spelling difficulties Poor handwriting Poor handwriting Problems involving a written document Problems involving a written document Difficulties expressing ideas on paper Difficulties expressing ideas on paper Poor mental math ability Poor mental math ability Poor math processing ability (e.g., addition, subtraction) Poor math processing ability (e.g., addition, subtraction) Difficulty seeing a specific image Difficulty seeing a specific image

Environments Where Learning Disability Can Be Seen Home Home Classroom Classroom Work Work

Overcoming These Limitations Overcoming These Limitations Instruction Instruction Assessment Assessment Assistive Technology Assistive Technology

Instruction 1 st : Consider the limitations that the disability imposes 2 nd : With the student, brainstorm ways to help the student overcome his/her limitation. 3 rd : Implement the strategies/accommodations that are likely to lead to success for the student 4 th : Periodically, review the effectiveness of this strategy/accommodation with the student. 5 th Revise as necessary

Tips to Keep in Mind for Instruction Allow students to record lectures on tape. Allow students to record lectures on tape. If you are using the blackboard or other visual aids, describe verbally what you are showing the class. If you are using the blackboard or other visual aids, describe verbally what you are showing the class. You academic standards or course content should not be modified. You academic standards or course content should not be modified.

Exams Discuss plans for modifying testing procedures prior to the first exam Discuss plans for modifying testing procedures prior to the first exam Remember that the use of adaptive equipment or an alternate format takes time Remember that the use of adaptive equipment or an alternate format takes time Determine which format will work best for the student Determine which format will work best for the student

Assistive Technology Digital formats Digital formats Word Processors Word Processors Spell Checkers/Grammar Checkers Spell Checkers/Grammar Checkers Proofreading Software Proofreading Software Outlining/brainstorming software Outlining/brainstorming software Speech Recognition Software Speech Recognition Software Screen Readers Screen Readers Calculators Calculators Books on Tape and Tape Recorded Lectures Books on Tape and Tape Recorded Lectures Digital Books Digital Books