Learning Disabilities (LD) Becca Holey

KWL

What are Learning Disabilities (LD) Learning Disabilities are a neurologically based processing problem. These processing problems can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing and/ or math. They can also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time, planning, abstract reasoning, long or short term memory and attention.

Learning Disability o Generally speaking, people with learning disabilities are of average or above average intelligence. There often appears to be a gap between the individual’s potential and actual achievement. o A learning disability cannot be cured or fixed, they are life long challenges. However, with appropriate support and intervention, people with learning disabilities can achieve success in school, at work, in relationships, and in the community. o In Federal law, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the term is “specific learning disability,” one of 13 categories of disability under that law.

Legal Protections for people with LD IDEA- provides special education and related services to children and youth with disabilities who are 3-21 years old. Section 504 or the Rehabilitation Act- prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in federally funded programs and activities. ADA- is another civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination in schools, the workplace and other environments

Specific Learning Disabilities LD is an umbrella term describing a number of other, more specific LD Auditory processing Disorder (APD) Dyscalculia Dysgraphia Dyslexia Language Processing Disorder Non-Verbal Learning Disability Visual perceptual/ Visual Mortar Defect

Dyscalculia Signs and Symptoms  A specific learning disability that affects a person’s ability to understand numbers and learn math facts.  Individuals with this type of LD may also have poor comprehension of math symbols, may struggle with memorizing and organizing numbers, have difficulty telling time, or have trouble with counting.  They can also show difficulty understanding concepts of place value, and quantity, number lines, positive and negative value Strategies For Teachers  Allow use of fingers and scratch paper  Use diagrams and draw math concepts  Provide peer assistance  Suggest use of graph paper  Suggest use of colored pencils to differentiate problems  Work with manipulatives  Draw pictures of word problems  Use rhythm and music to teach math facts and to set steps to a beat

Dysgraphia Signs and Symptoms  A specific learning disability that affects a person’s handwriting ability and fine motor skills.  Problems may include illegible handwriting, inconsistent spacing, poor spatial planning on paper, poor spelling, and difficulty composing writing as well as thinking and writing at the same time  Has unfinished words or letters  Exhibits strange wrist, body or paper position  Copying or writing is slow Strategies For Teachers  Suggest use of word processor  Use oral exams  Allow use of tape recorder for lectures  Allow the use of a note taker  Provide notes or outline to reduce the amount of writing required  Reduce copying aspects of work (pre-printed math problems)  Allow use of wide rule paper or graph paper  Provide alternatives to written assignments (Video-taped reports, audio- taped reports)

Dyslexia Signs and Symptoms  A specific learning disability that affects reading and related language-based processing skills.  The severity can differ in each individual but can affect reading fluency, decoding, reading comprehension, recall, writing, spelling, and sometimes speech.  Reads slowly  Experiences decoding errors, especially with the order of letters  Has trouble spelling  Exhibits difficulty recalling know words  Has difficulty with written language  May experience difficulty with math computations Strategies For Teachers  Provide a quiet area for activities like reading, answering comprehension question  Use books on tape  Provide a copy of lecture notes  Don’t count spelling on history, science or other similar tests  Allow alternative forms for book reports  Allow the use of a laptop or other computer for in-class essays  Use multi-sensory teaching methods

Sample Writing

This is a sample of student writing. David is in third grade and this sample writing came from his science journal. This passage took David 20 minutes to complete with some assistance from his teacher. Sample Writing

Prevalence and Characteristics of Students With LD „ LD is the largest category of students receiving special education services. There are 2.4 million American public school students (approximately 5 percent of the total public school enrollment) identified with learning disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Forty-two percent of the 5.7 million school-age children with all kinds of disabilities who receive special education services are served in this category. „ The number of students identified with LD has declined by 18 percent between 2002 and 2011, while total special education has declined by just 3 percent. „ Two-thirds of students identified with LD are male. „ Black and Hispanic students are overrepresented in many states while white and Asian students are underrepresented in the LD category.

YouTube Video Eye to Eye

Learning Disabilities are referred to as “hidden disabilities” the person looks perfectly “normal” and seems to be a very bright and intelligent person, yet they may be unable to demonstrate the skill level expected from someone of similar age.

Sources Learning Disabilities- KWL Chart- Google Images Student Sample- Misunderstood Minds- Dyslexia Video- Prevalence and Characteristics of Students With LD content/uploads/2014/11/2014-State-of-LD.pdf content/uploads/2014/11/2014-State-of-LD.pdf IDEA-