Chapter 3 Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities or

IDEA Definition of Learning Disabilities § § – Student does not achieve commensurate with his or her age and ability in one or more several specific areas when provided with appropriate learning experiences The student has participated in but does not respond adequately to a scientific, researchbased intervention. (RTI) Copyright © 2007 by Allyn & Bacon

Learning Disabilities Definition (continued) l Oral Expression l Reading Comprehension l Listening Comprehension l Mathematics Calculation l Mathematics Reasoning l l Written Expression Basic Reading Skills Copyright © 2007 by Allyn & Bacon

Definition of Specific Learning Disability (continued) l Discrepancy between achievement and ability is NOT primarily the result of: – – Visual, hearing or motor disability Mental retardation Emotional disturbance Environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage Copyright © 2007 by Allyn & Bacon

Characteristics of Students with LD Most students with LD seem more different than alike. – Overriding characteristics: l Unexpected difficulty or low performance in one or more academic areas l Ineffective or inefficient information processing or learning strategies in the area(s) of difficulty Copyright © 2007 by Allyn & Bacon

Types of Learning Disabilities l Dyslexia – l Dysgraphia – l Severe difficulty in learning to read, particularly with decoding and spelling Severe difficulty learning to write, including handwriting Dyscalculia – Severe disability in learning mathematical concepts and computation Copyright © 2007 by Allyn & Bacon

Learning Disabilities: Dyslexia From student final PPt presentation, used with permission Copyright © 2007

Instructional Strategy From Student final PPt presentation, with permission l l l Multi-sensory instruction, especially kinesthetic, Reading a variety of texts Alternative presentations Assistive technology Extra time for assignments Copyright © 2007 by Allyn & Bacon

Learning Disabilities & Dyscalculia Copyright © 2007 by Allyn & Bacon

Instructional Strategies From Student final PPt presentation, with permission l Use visuals and key words l Use a multisensory approach: free math songs l http: //www. kidsknowit. com/educationalsongs/index. php? topic=Math l http: //www. songsforteaching. com Copyright © 2007 by Allyn & Bacon

Why the Increase in the Prevalence of Learning Disabilities? (Hallahan, 1992; Lerner, 2001) l Growing public awareness of LD l Greater social acceptance l Limited alternatives for other students at-risk l Social and cultural influences on central nervous system integrity l Increasing needs for literacy at work and daily life Copyright © 2007 by Allyn & Bacon

Instructional Strategies and Accommodations for Students with LD No one approach is relevant for all students l l l Provide overview of lesson or unit Use Visuals (I. e. , overhead projector) Organize learning activities and working groups Relate the learning to the students’ daily lives Use Advance Organizers Be creative and humorous Copyright © 2007 by Allyn & Bacon

Common Practices that increase Academic Success of Students with LD Use “Best Teaching Practices” Direct instruction Cognitive strategies memory organization self-questioning Copyright © 2007 by Allyn & Bacon