(Information for Parents, Teachers, and Students)
What is a learning disability?
A disorder in basic psychological
processes involved in understanding or using language, spoken or
written, that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen,
think, speak, read, write, spell or use mathematical calculations. The
term includes conditions such as perceptual disability, brain injury,
minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia.
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/dis/ncands98/glossary/glossary.htm
Quick Facts About Learning Disabilities
- Caused by difficulty with the nervous system.
- Affects receiving, processing, and/or communicating information.
- May run in families.
- Some children with a learning disability may also be hyperactive, unable to sit still, easily distracted, and/or have a short attention span.
- Learning disabilities are treatable, but not curable.
http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/ld.htm
Most Common Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
ADD/ADHD
Speech and Language Disorders
Developmental Disorders
Learning Disabilities
Typically
Affect 5 General Areas
- Spoken language
- Written language
- Arithmetic
- Reasoning
- Memory
For Parents
Parents should be aware of these signals, when a child:
http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/ld.htm
Color the dyslexics world:
What causes dyslexia?
What can a parent do?
Treatments
Parents should be aware of these signals, when a child:
- has difficulty understanding and following instructions.
- has trouble remebering what someone just told him.
- fails to master reading, spelling, writing, and/or math skills.
- fails schoolwork.
- has difficulty distinguishing right from left
- has difficulty identifying words or has a tendency to reverse letters, words, or numbers.
- lacks coordination in walking, sports, or small activities.
- easily loses or misplaces things.
- cannot understand the concept of time.
http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/ld.htm
Color the dyslexics world:
- Color can help your dyslexic child with their writing and reading.
- Color helps with letter and word reversal, eye stain, copying, and more.
What causes dyslexia?
What can a parent do?
Treatments
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/learning_disabilities.htm
For Teachers
Teachers are an essential link between children with learning disabilties and the interventions and services that can help them. There is no student with a learning disability who cannot learn, if a teacher has received appropriate training and is willing to spend the time, using his or her expertise to reach and teach that child.
To most effectively help children with learning disabilities, teachers should:
Sources for teachers:
Dyslexia Teacher
LD Online
For Students
A lot of kids with learning disabilites do not like school. It is not fun to have problems learning, especially when most of the other kids are not having problems. This could be why so many children with learning disabilities get into trouble at school. Gary L. Fisher, Ph.D. has written The Survival Guide for Kids with LD. Here is a summuray of ten ways to get along better in school:
The Survival Guide for Kids With LD
Sources for students:
College Planning for Students with Learning Disabilites
Succeeding with LD: 20 True Stories About Real People With LD
:
For Teachers
Teachers are an essential link between children with learning disabilties and the interventions and services that can help them. There is no student with a learning disability who cannot learn, if a teacher has received appropriate training and is willing to spend the time, using his or her expertise to reach and teach that child.
To most effectively help children with learning disabilities, teachers should:
- Know the warning signs.
- Particiipate in ongoing workshops and staff development programs.
- Design a learning profile of each student.
- Develop effective teaching techniques
- Some Examples:
- Always gain a students attention before giving directions or instructions
- Call the student by name to alert them and help them focus.
- Use visual aids.
- Write assignments on the board or provide the student with a list of assignments.
- Make sure that students with learning disabilites have enough time to answer questions.
- Change testing procedures when necessary.
- Provide individualized intsruction.
- Provide a structure for learning
- Build the self esteem of students with learning disabilites.
- Meet with and continually work with parents to discuss their child's problems and achievements at school.
- Understand the laws and procedures that regulate special education programs. <>Advocate on behalf of your students (LD Online).
Sources for teachers:
Dyslexia Teacher
LD Online
For Students
A lot of kids with learning disabilites do not like school. It is not fun to have problems learning, especially when most of the other kids are not having problems. This could be why so many children with learning disabilities get into trouble at school. Gary L. Fisher, Ph.D. has written The Survival Guide for Kids with LD. Here is a summuray of ten ways to get along better in school:
- When things get tough, talk to someone.
- Keep your head up and tell the truth about being a person with LD. It is nothing to be ashamed of.
- Find a hobby or sport and become an expert at it.
- Take part in school activities.
- Learn as much as you can about LD.
- Make friends.
- Be a helper.
- Stay out of trouble.
- Know how to relax and cool off.
- Do not use LD as an excuse!
The Survival Guide for Kids With LD
Sources for students:
College Planning for Students with Learning Disabilites
Succeeding with LD: 20 True Stories About Real People With LD
Continually
working together will create success for teachers, parents, and
students. Do not get discouraged, there are resources everywhere to
obtain information about learning disabilities.
Website created by Cara Elliott and
Erika Hudson in CI 3850
11/23/2004
Appalachian State University
11/23/2004
Appalachian State University
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