LEARNING DISABILITIESResource File Edu 255 Fall 2012 Donita Mallory

Table of Contents

Federal Definition

NJCLD Definition

Terminology

Classification

Prevalence

Causes

Characteristics

Early Intervention

Placement Options

Assessment

Transition

Best Practiced InstructionMaterials

Methodologies

Instructional Strategies

Technologies

ResourcesLocal

State

Federal

Bibliography

FederalDefinition

“The term “specific learning disability” means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which disorder may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations” (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2009, p. 187).

NJCLD DefinitionNational Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities is a general term that refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, or mathematical abilities. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual, presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction, and may occur across the life span. Problems in self-regulatory behaviors, social perception and social interaction may exist with learning disabilities but do not by themselves constitute a learning disability. Although learning disabilities may occur concomitantly with other handicapping conditions (for example, sensory impairment, mental retardation, serious emotional disturbance) or with extrinsic influences (such as cultural differences, insufficient or inappropriate instruction), they are not the result of those conditions or influences (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2009, p.188).

Terminology Learning Disabilities

Aphasia: difficulty with language

Auditory Processing Disorder: difficulty hearing differences between sound

Dyscalculia: difficulty with mathematics

Dysgraphia: difficulty with handwriting

Dyslexia: difficulty reading

Dysnomia: problems remembering names or recalling words

Dyspraxia: Difficulty with fine motor skills

Language Disabilities: difficulty in listening, speaking, reading, writing, or spelling

Minimal Brain Injury: physical damage to brains tissue or structure

Visual Processing Disorder: Difficulty interpreting visual information

Classification

IDEAIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act

Student doesn’t achieve with their age and ability level

Severe discrepancy between achievement and intellectual ability in academic skills

RTI Response to Intervention

TIER 1Universal Screening and Benchmarking of All Students

TIER 2 Identifying Specific Strengths and Weaknesses and Progress Monitoring

TIER 3: Diagnostic Testing and Intensive Progress Monitoring

Prevalence

“According to U.S. government figures, public schools have identified as learning disabled between 5 and 6 percent of students between six and seventeen years of age” (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2009, p.191). The classification of learning disabilities has more than doubled since the mid 1970’s, an dis increasing yearly. Research suggests that the male gender is at greater risk of being classified as having some type of LD.

Etiology(causes)

After much research, it is believed that learning disabilities are caused from a dysfunction within the brain or central nervous system due to genetic, teratogenicity, or medical factors.

Characteristics

Educational

Reading is most difficult

Written Language: handwriting, spelling, composition

Spoken Language: grammar, word meaning, phonology

Math

Behavioral

Attention & Hyperactivity: distractibility, impulsivity

Memory & Metacognitive: forgetfulness, awareness of own thinking process

Social & Emotional: depression, rejection, suicidal, loneliness, isolation

Early Intervention

Diagnosis at the preschool age is more a prediction

Developmental delays and behavioral issues are easy pinpointed

“Even though it’s wise to be cautious in identifying preschool children as learning disabled, researchers have determined that there are several risk factors that are relatively good predictors of later learning disabilities” (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2009, p.215).

DesigningImplementing

Assessing

Testing Accommodations

Assessments read orally

Visual print enlarged

Assessment separated into more than one setting

Extended allotted time

Small group assessment

Curriculum based measurement

Informal reading inventory

Standardized achievement assessment

Transition

Transition into Adulthood

May have problems learning, socializing, holding jobs, and living independently and just coping with daily living situations

Ability to set goals

Acceptance of weaknesses

Support socially

Quality on-the-job or postsecondary vocational training

Ability to take control of their life

Best Practiced Instruction

Materials Phonics game ≈ $2 and up

Taped text ≈ $3 and up

Educational Videos ≈ $3 and up

Notecards less than $1

Ruler less than $1

Pencil grips ≈ $2 for 10

MethodsSmall amounts of material

Rhythm & music for math facts

Oral exams

Whispering when one on one & warning before bell or fire alarm

Demonstrate activities

Student dictation of assignments

Speak slow and clear using simple sentences

Best Practiced Instruction cont…

Instructional Strategies Direct instruction

Material broke into small steps

Regular quality feedback

Diagrams

Graphics

Pictures

Allow ample independent practice on concepts

Enlarged print

Technologies Talking word processors

≈ $45

Braille hardware stickers ≈ $20

Electronic math worksheets

Monitor screen magnifiers ≈ $45

Talking calculators ≈ $12 to $80

Smartboards ≈$900 to $3000

Informative Resources

Local Growing Minds Learning Center

Owensboro, KY 1-270-827-4652 http://www.growingmindslearningcenter.com/

Department of Education 1-800-KDE-5372

Public School in area

Wendell Foster’s Campus for Developmental Disabilities, Owensboro, KY http://www.wkatc.org/assistive_technology_center/

Learning Disability Center http://www.medicinenet.com/learning_disability/owensboro-ky_city.htm

State Learning Disabilities Association of

KY, Inc. http://www.ldaofky.org/

KY Department of Education Special Education http://education.ky.gov/specialed/excep/pages/default.aspx.

Kentuckiana Dyslexia Services http://www.kydyslexiaservices.com/

KY Accessibility Services http://kentucky.gov/health/Pages/disabilityResources.aspx

KATS Network http://www.katsnet.org/

KY Services for Children and Youth http://chfs.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/374FD204-942B-4166-8B74-BB5C6443358/0/ResDir2005.pdf

Federal National Center for Learning

Disabilities http://www.ncld.org/

Learning Disabilities Association of America http://www.ldanatl.org/

CHADD http://www.chadd.org/

The Brescia Difference

The Brescia difference is a conceptual framework defining Brescia’s idea of what a professional educator should model, which consists of ethics, advocacy, service, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The resource file is a useful tool to assist us as future professional educators. Equality and fairness are important ethical characteristics we should example toward each student with or without any exceptionalities. Through the research process, I learned to focus on the students’ strengths instead of their weaknesses and to see the student first before their disability. As for advocacy, we need to be able to assist in helping the student and their family learn what resources are available to them. Get the families involved in the students’ education; also accommodate material and assessments to enable student success. Service isn’t only toward the student but also the family. We should focus on success for both the student and the family. I’ve learned through this procedure of creating a resource file that life is no longer the same after a child born with disabilities comes into the family. There are major adjustments from all different angles of life and as a future educator I want to be able to be of service to the family any way I can. Also, teachers should committee to a life of learning. I believe the knowledge gained isn’t to be conserved; rather it is to be shared for the betterment of others.

BibliographyAdaptive Technology and Accessibility Centers – Braille Hardware. (2012, April 160. Indiana University. Retrieved November 24, 2012, from http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/technology/hardware/braille/index.html

 

Canter, A. (2004). Learning Disabilities – TeachersAndFamilites. New Directions in Identifying Learning Disabilities. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from http://www.teachersandfamilies.com/open/parent/idea2.cfm

 

Gibson, Ken. (2012). LearningRx. Retrieved from http://www.learningrx.com/some-types-of-learning-disabilities.htm

 

Kemp, G., Smith, M., & Segal, J. (2012, November). Learning Disabilities in Children: Types of Disorders and Their Signs. Helpguide helps you help yourself and other. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/learning_disabilities.htm

 

LDA.(2005-11). Learning Disabilities Association of America. Retrieved from http://www.ldanatl.org/aboutld/teachers/understanding/types.asp

 

Learning Disabilities: An Overview Reading Topics A-Z Reading Rockets. (2008). Reading Comprehension & language Arts Teaching Strategies for Kids, Reading Rockets. Retrieved November 2012, from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/5613/

 

Learning Disabilities Association of America. (n.d.). Retrieved Noverber 11, 2012, from http://www.ldanatl.org/

Myers, B. (2012, June 7). Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities Educational Material – Healthy Place. HealthyPlace.com – Trusted Mental health information and Support – Healthy Place. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from http://www.healthyplace.com/adhd/articles/dyslexia-and-learning-disabilities-educational-material/

 

National Center for Learning Disabilities. (2012). Ncld.org. Retrieved November 11, 2012, from http://www.ncld.org/

 

Polk County Public Schools Polk County, Florida. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2012, from http://www.polk.fl.net/staff/teachers/ese/documents/sldwaystohelpstudents.pdf

 

Quenneville, J. (2001). Tech Tools for Students with Learning Disabilities : Infusion into Inclusive Classrooms. LD Online: The world’s leading website on learning disabilities and ADHD. Retrieved November 11, 2012, from http://www.ldonline.org/article/6380/

 

TeachingLD. (n.d.). TeachingLD. Retrieved 2012, from http://teachingld.org/