Learning Difficulties New Strategies to help Diverse Students Succeed

Definition Learning Difficulties These individuals often have average to above average intelligence but they do not achieve at the same academic level as their peers Usually these types of learners underperform in these 3 main areas : Reading, Writing and Math There are also significant deficits in the areas of memory, metacognition & social Skills

Characteristics that Interfere with Learning Misdiagnosis -have all areas of development been looked at? Wrongly placed in Special Ed services Cultural and Linguistic differences ESL –how fluent/proficient the child is in the 2 nd language that he or she is being taught in --how well educated the child is in his or native language Improper assessment –what kinds of testing is being done? --who is administering the assessments --qualified professional?/or simply bilingual?

Possible Strategies Proper Informal & Formal Testing Rule out auditory skills, verbal skills and motor skills Talk to parents -what are the socioeconomic factors? -cultural differences? -how fluent is the child in his/her primary language? -how well educated child is in his/her primary language? Look at the child’s habits, homework habits, sleep, diet Professionals/Experts, Parents & teachers working collaboratively together