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SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION
What is a
Learning Disability?
A learning
disability is a neurological disorder. In simple terms, a
learning disability results from a difference in the way a
person's brain is "wired." Children with learning
disabilities are as smart or smarter than their peers. But
they may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling,
reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information if left
to figure things out by themselves or if taught in
conventional ways.
A learning
disability can't be cured or fixed; it is a lifelong issue.
With the right support and intervention, however, children
with learning disabilities can succeed in school and go on
to successful, often distinguished careers later in life.
Parents can
help children with learning disabilities achieve such
success by encouraging their strengths, knowing their
weaknesses, understanding the educational system, working
with professionals and learning about strategies for dealing
with specific difficulties.
Not all great
minds think alike
Did you know
that Albert Einstein couldn't read until he was nine? Walt
Disney, General George Patton, and Vice President Nelson
Rockefeller had trouble reading all their lives. Whoopi
Goldberg and Charles Schwab and many others have learning
disabilities which haven't affected their ultimate success.
Facts about
learning disabilities
-
Fifteen percent of the U.S. population,
or one in seven Americans, has some type of learning
disability, according to the National Institutes of
Health.
-
Difficulty with basic reading and
language skills are the most common learning
disabilities. As many as 80% of students with learning
disabilities have reading problems.
-
Learning disabilities often run in
families.
-
Learning disabilities should not be
confused with other disabilities such as mental
retardation, autism, deafness, blindness, and behavioral
disorders. None of these conditions are learning
disabilities. In addition, they should not be confused
with lack of educational opportunities like frequent
changes of schools or attendance problems. Also,
children who are learning English do not necessarily
have a learning disability.
-
Attention disorders, such as
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and
learning disabilities often occur at the same time, but
the two disorders are not the same.
Common learning
disabilities
-
Dyslexia – a
language-based disability in which a person has trouble
understanding written words. It may also be referred to
as reading disability or reading disorder.
-
Dyscalculia – a
mathematical disability in which a person has a
difficult time solving arithmetic problems and grasping
math concepts.
-
Dysgraphia – a
writing disability in which a person finds it hard to
form letters or write within a defined space.
-
Auditory and Visual Processing Disorders
– sensory disabilities in which a person has difficulty
understanding language despite normal hearing and
vision.
-
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities
– a neurological disorder which originates in the right
hemisphere of the brain, causing problems with
visual-spatial, intuitive, organizational, evaluative
and holistic processing functions.
Common Signs of
Learning Disabilities
Click here to download the "Taking the First Step"
parent guide.*
The good news
about learning disabilities is that scientists are learning
more every day. Their research provides hope and direction.
If parents,
teachers, and other professionals discover a child's
learning disability early and provide the right kind of
help, it can give the child a chance to develop skills
needed to lead a successful and productive life. A recent
National Institutes of Health study showed that 67 percent
of young students who were at risk for reading difficulties
became average or above average readers after receiving help
in the early grades.
Parents are
often the first to notice that "something doesn't seem
right." If you are aware of the common signs of learning
disabilities, you will be able to recognize potential
problems early. The following is a checklist of
characteristics that may point to a learning disability.
Most people will, from time to time, see one or more of
these warning signs in their children. This is normal. If,
however, you see several of these characteristics over a
long period of time, consider the possibility of a learning
disability.
Preschool
-
Speaks later than most children
-
Pronunciation problems
-
Slow vocabulary growth, often unable to
find the right word
-
Difficulty rhyming words
-
Trouble learning numbers, alphabet, days
of the week, colors, shapes
-
Extremely restless and easily distracted
-
Trouble interacting with peers
-
Difficulty following directions or
routines
-
Fine motor skills slow to develop
Grades K-4
-
Slow to learn the connection between
letters and sounds
-
Confuses basic words (run, eat,
want)
-
Makes consistent reading and spelling
errors including letter reversals (b/d),
inversions (m/w), transpositions (felt/left),
and substitutions (house/home)
-
Transposes number sequences and confuses
arithmetic signs (+, -, x, /, =)
-
Slow to remember facts
-
Slow to learn new skills, relies heavily
on memorization
-
Impulsive, difficulty planning
-
Unstable pencil grip
-
Trouble learning about time
-
Poor coordination, unaware of physical
surroundings, prone to accidents
Grades 5-8
-
Reverses letter sequences (soiled/solid,
left/felt)
-
Slow to learn prefixes, suffixes, root
words, and other spelling strategies
-
Avoids reading aloud
-
Trouble with word problems
-
Difficulty with handwriting
-
Awkward, fist-like, or tight pencil grip
-
Avoids writing assignments
-
Slow or poor recall of facts
-
Difficulty making friends
-
Trouble understanding body language and
facial expressions
High School
Students and Adults
-
Continues to spell incorrectly,
frequently spells the same word differently in a single
piece of writing
-
Avoids reading and writing tasks
-
Trouble summarizing
-
Trouble with open-ended questions on
tests
-
Weak memory skills
-
Difficulty adjusting to new settings
-
Works slowly
-
Poor grasp of abstract concepts
-
Either pays too little attention to
details or focuses on them too much
-
Misreads information
How to Respond
Know your
child's strengths
Children with
learning disabilities are often highly intelligent, possess
leadership skills, or are superior in music, arts, sports,
or other creative areas. Rather than focusing solely on your
child's deficiencies, emphasize and reward your child's
strengths. Encourage your child in areas of interest outside
the classroom.
Collect
information about your child's performance
Meet with your
child's teachers, tutors, and school support personnel to
understand performance levels, and attitude toward school.
Observe your child's ability to study, complete homework,
and finish tasks that you assign at home.
See the tips below on how to organize information about
your child’s learning disability.
Have your child
evaluated
Ask school
authorities to provide a comprehensive educational
evaluation including assessment tests. Tests for learning
disabilities are referred to as assessment tests because
they evaluate and measure areas of strengths and weaknesses.
A comprehensive evaluation, however, includes a variety of
procedures in addition to the assessment tests, such as
interviews, direct observation, reviews of your child's
educational and medical history, and conferences with
professionals who work with your child. Either you or the
school can request this evaluation, but it is given only
with your written permission.
Since you are
one of the best observers of your child's development, it is
important that you be an active participant in the
evaluation process. If you don't understand the test
results, ask questions!
Work as a team
to help your child
If the
evaluation shows that your child has a learning disability,
your child is eligible for special education services. If
eligible, you will work with a team of professionals,
including your child's teacher, to develop an Individualized
Education Program (IEP). The IEP is a written document
summarizing your child's current educational performance;
annual goals and short-term objectives; nature and projected
duration of your child's special services; and methods for
evaluating progress. For students 16 years and older, an IEP
must include a transition plan to move the student from
school to the "real world."
If your child
does not qualify for special education, it is still
important for you to work with your child's teacher to
develop an informal program that meets your child's learning
needs. You are a vital part of your child's education!
Talk to your
child about learning disabilities
Children with
learning disabilities must be assured that they are not dumb
or lazy. They are intelligent people who have trouble
learning because their minds process words or information
differently. It is not easy to talk with your child about a
disability that you do not fully understand. Be informed. It
is important to be honest and optimistic-explain to your
child that they struggle with learning, but that they can
learn. Focus on your child's talents and strengths. Tell
them you are confident that with effort and the right help
they will be able to meet the challenge and succeed!
Find
accommodations that can help
Teachers can
change classroom routines to help children with learning
disabilities. Meet with your child's teacher about these
possibilities: reading written information
aloud,
allowing extra time on exams, taping lessons, and using
technology. Have your decisions written into the IEP.
Monitor your
child's progress
Watch your
child's progress to be sure that your child's needs are
being met. Keep your child's education folder up to date,
adding new samples of schoolwork and test results. If your
child is not making progress, discuss your observations with
school personnel and work together to make changes. Keep a
copy of your child's IEP and review it before each IEP
meeting.
Know your legal
rights
Learn about
your special education rights and responsibilities by
requesting a summary of legal rights in your native language
from your child's school. The Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA) says that your child has the right to a
"free and appropriate public education."
IDEA is a law
that requires all states and territories to provide a public
school education to children with disabilities between ages
three and 21, no matter how severe their disabilities are.
As soon as children with learning disabilities are
identified, they are entitled to services under this law.
If your child
is identified as having a learning disability, it is your
right under IDEA to have an Individualized Education Program
(IEP). Basically, this is a written document that summarizes
your child’s educational performance, plans short-term
educational goals and outlines annual goals. It also
identifies criteria for measuring progress. You are a big
part of this program so don’t be afraid to speak up.
Tips on how to
organize information about your child's learning disability
-
Start a folder of all letters and
materials related to your child's education.
-
Add copies of school files and names and
dates of all tests and results, including medical exams
and information from other professionals.
-
Collect samples of schoolwork that
demonstrate your child's difficulties, as well as
strengths.
-
Keep a contact log of discussions with
professionals.
-
Keep a log of your own observations.
This
information will help you monitor your child's progress.
Review it with other professionals as your child grows.
Get Help Early
Click here to
download the "Taking the First Step" parent guide.*
It is scary to
admit that your child is struggling to learn. Research tells
us that parents fear that their child may be “labeled for
life” if he or she is identified as having a learning
disability. Please know that you are not alone. Consider
that at least 2.7 million children are receiving help in
school because of a learning disability. The National
Institutes of Health even estimate that one of every seven
Americans (15 percent) has some degree of learning
disability.
It is very
important that you seek help as soon as you realize your
child is having difficulty learning. Seeking help – and
certainly recognizing the early signs of a learning
disability – can mean the difference between success and
failure for your child in school.
Most learning
disabilities affect reading and language skills. In fact, a
significant majority of students with a learning disability
have problems with reading. If these children receive
appropriate help in the early grades, most of them will
become skilled, independent readers. When help is delayed,
it becomes harder and harder for children to catch up.
Perhaps the
most important reason to seek help early is to spare
children the frustration and failure they experience when
they don’t do well in school and don’t know why. You must
help your child understand that he or she simply learns
differently.
Why get help
immediately?
-
80% of students with a learning
disability have trouble reading.
-
90% percent will read normally if they
receive help by the first grade.
-
75% percent of children who receive help
after the age of nine will have some difficulty
throughout life.
What should I
do first?
-
Trust your intuition! No one knows your
child better than you, so if you suspect a real problem,
speak to teachers and other school personnel, seek
information and expert opinions, and do not be afraid to
have him or her evaluated right away.
-
Meet with your child’s teacher and
guidance counselor. They can tell you how well your
child interacts with his or her peers, as well as help
to arrange a full evaluation of how well your child is
performing in school.
-
Know your legal rights and
responsibilities. Learn about the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If you prefer to have
information shared in a language other than English, be
sure to ask for a summary of your rights and evaluations
in your native language.
-
Observe your child’s strengths and
interests. Encourage him or her at school and at play,
and reward your child for the many things he or she does
well.
-
Realize that you are not alone and that
experienced people and groups have information and help
for you right now.
-
Learn as much as you can. The more you
know about learning disabilities, the more you can help
your child. Start with your school. Then contact one of
the organizations on the
resources page.
Parent Tips
Work with your
child at home
Parents are a
child's first and best teachers. Show your child that
reading can be fun. Read to your child every day. Visit the
library frequently. Point out words on billboards and
traffic signs as you drive, on food labels at the grocery
store, on packages, mail, and letters. Play word games. Set
an example by giving your child a chance to see you reading
and writing at home.
See the tips below
on how to help your child with schoolwork.
Join with
others who care
You are not
alone. By joining with other parents and professionals you
can increase awareness of the issue, dispel popular
misconceptions, help establish educational systems that
provide for the needs of children with learning
disabilities, and get support for yourself. Look into the
organizations in
LD Resources for ways to become involved and learn more
about learning disabilities.
Work with
professionals
There are many
trained professionals who can help your child. Ask your
child's teacher or a resource consultant for names of
individuals who can help. Contact one of the organizations
in
LD Resources for additional suggestions and information.
Professionals
who can help
-
Audiologist – measures hearing ability
and provides services for auditory training; offers
advice on hearing aids.
-
Educational Consultant – gives
educational evaluations; familiar with school curriculum
but may have a background in special education issues.
-
Educational Therapist – develops and runs
programs for learning and behavior problems.
-
Learning Disabilities Specialist – a
teacher with specific training and credentials to
provide educational services to students with learning
disabilities and their teachers.
-
Neurologist – looks for possible damage
to brain functions (medical doctor).
-
Occupational Therapist – helps improve
motor and sensory functions to increase the ability to
perform daily tasks.
-
Pediatrician – provides medical services
to infants, children, and adolescents; trained in
overall growth and development including motor, sensory,
and behavioral development (medical doctor).
-
Psychiatrist – diagnoses and treats
severe behavioral and emotional problems and may
prescribe medications (medical doctor).
-
Psychologist (Clinical) – provides
psychological and intellectual assessment and treatment
for mental and emotional health.
-
School/Educational Psychologist – gives
and interprets psychological and educational tests;
assists with behavior management; provides counseling;
consults with parents, staff, and community agencies
about educational issues.
-
Speech and Language Therapist – helps
children with language and speech difficulties.
Tips for
helping with schoolwork
-
Show an interest in your child's
homework. Inquire about the subjects and the work to be
done. Ask questions that require answers longer than one
or two words.
-
Help your child organize homework
materials before beginning.
-
Establish a regular time with your child
to do homework-developing a schedule helps avoid
procrastination.
-
Find a specific place for your child to
do homework that has lots of light, quiet, and plenty of
work space.
-
Encourage your child to ask questions and
search for answers, taking the time to figure out
correct answers.
-
Make sure your child backs up answers
with facts and evidence.
-
Practice school-taught skills at home.
-
Relate homework to your child's everyday
life. For instance, teach fractions and measurements as
you prepare a favorite food together.
-
Be a role model-take the opportunity to
read a book or newspaper or write a letter while your
child studies.
-
Praise your child for both the small
steps and big leaps in the right direction.
Help your child
become a better reader (for early readers)
-
Work on the relationship between letters
and words. Teach younger children how to spell a few
special words, such as their own names, the names of
pets or favorite cartoon characters, or words they see
frequently like
stop or
exit.
-
Help your child understand that language
is made up of sounds, syllables, and words. Sing songs
and read rhyming books. Play word games; for instance,
think of words that rhyme with
dog or
begin with p.
-
Teach letter sounds. Sound out letters
and words. Make up your own silly words with your child.
-
Sound out new words and encourage your
child to spell by speaking each sound aloud.
-
Notice spelling patterns. Point out
similarities between words, such as
fall,
ball, and hall
or cat,
fat,
and hat.
For More
Information
A great deal
of advice and information is available on learning
disabilities. Remember, there are no quick fixes, so be
cautious of anyone offering "cures." The following
informational resources are recommended by all six of the
leading national learning disability organizations.
Books
Videos
National
organizations
http://www.proteacher.com
|
Staff
Mrs. Bollenbacher -
occupational therapist
Mrs. Gilliam -
preschool and kindergarten
Mrs. Grunder -
speech and language
pathologist
Mrs. Houser -
1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades
Mrs. McClain -
physical therapist
Mrs. McGuire -
4th grade
Mrs. Meagrow -4th
grade
specialized instruction aide
Mrs. Mills -
5th grade
Mrs. Myers
Mrs. Nothacker -
school psychologist
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