Slow Learners Socially Maladjusted

and Emotionally Disturbed

Students

- are students who learn slowly than their peers, yet do not have a disability requiring special education. (Griffin, 1978)

SLOW LEARNERS

Trivia: •An average IQ is 100. •Less than 70 are considered mentally retarded. Slow learners score 75 to 90 on IQ tests..

•Slow learners are not mentally retarded.•About 1 out of 5 children are slow learners.

MATH

Reading

Writing

Comprehension

Coordination

Short attention span

Trouble with abstract thinking

It is important to distinguished between slow learners and those who are learning disabled. (Lescano,1995)

Slow learners are those who do not learn successfully due to general socio-cultural problems, frustrating past classroom experiences, inadequate use of strategies or lack of interest.

Learning disabled students are formally diagnosed as “learning disabled” by specialist in child psychology.

Factors that may account slow learners (Khan, 2008)

• Lack of emotional growth.

• Lack of secure environment

• Limited opportunities for learning

• Absenteeism from school

• Untrained teachers and large class size

HOW TO IDENTIFY SLOW LEARNERS

IQ Test

Scores on tests

Grades and teacher’s rating

Genese and Upshur (1996:97) note, “Observation is basic to assessing human skills and behavior”.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A SLOW LEARNER

1. Masters skills slowly; some skills may not be mastered at all.2. Works on all tasks slowly

3. Has a poor self-image4. Scores consistently low on achievement tests5. Functions at ability but significantly below grade level

QUESTIONS FOR TEACHERS

When you are setting up the lesson:

The student cannot find his/her materialsWhen you remind the student about the last lesson, he/she doesn’t seem to remember anythingThe student appears to

have low “bank account” of general knowledge and experiences.

The students is upset and gets all the answers wrong, at least in the way you are asking them to demonstrate understanding

When there is independent practice:

The student cannot remember how to do what you taught in class

The student cannot relate and apply previous learning to new lessons

When the class is remembering the lesson:

The student does poorly on tests or on other evaluation

The student cannot explain the lesson

How can we deal with slow learners?

Lescano (1995)

Look for the student’s problem areas and focus on them with extra tutorial help.

Give daily evaluation.

Reduce distraction as much as possible.

Shorten or simplify the tasks and activities. Use simple vocabulary in instruction and directions.

Slow learners need repetition. They can remember the first and last word so repetition helps them establish the middle information.

Emphasize strengths. Use lots of praise and reinforcement frequently.

Be concrete as possible. Use pictures to present some words. Pictures help solidify the important points.

Add variety to academic routine. Do active things and use educational games. (Puzzles, word hunt, etc.) Make learning fun and comfortable. Your positive attitude is important.

Use eye catching materials such as colored chalks and colored papers.

FYI:Short term memory is

commonly limited to 5 to 9 items.

For slow learners, 5 items is most likely. Too much information confuses the slow learner.

Let parents know you need help with their child.

Emotionally Disturbed- refers to

youngsters who present severe behavior problems or emotional issues in the classroom to such a degree that their ability to be successful academically in school is compromised.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NDCCD)

Unusual rage or anger

Gets irritated fast

Unhappy/depressed (Withdrawal) Anti-social

hyperactivity

immaturity

Characteristics of Emotionally Disturbed Child

How to Teach Emotionally Disturbed Child

• Become familiar with the students. Do not shy away from reaching out. Resistance, in an emotionally disturbed child, fuels distrust and animosity.•Get personal with the child

while maintaining boundaries.

• Sit top students near the front of the class—surrounding the emotionally disturbed student—to feed positive energy and fresh motivation.

• Meeting with parents should be frequent.

• Develop a behavior intervening strategy.

Socially Maladjusted

- is conceptualized as a conduct problem, whereby maladjusted students choose not to conform to socially acceptable rules and norms.

Patterson, DeBaryshe and Ramsey (1989) describe the process of antisocial behavior as beginning with lack of positive family interaction leading to school failure and social rejection, then leading to membership in a deviant peer group.

Characteristics of Social Maladjusted Child

(Clarizio, 1987, 1992)

• Underdeveloped conscience

• Truant, incorrigible and delinquent

• Lack of empathy

• Failure to take responsibility for behavior

Emotionally Disturbed Socially MaladjustedINTENTIONALITY

“Don’t get it” Gets it but chooses to violate

Misses school due to emotional issues

Chooses to go truant

Rules

Attendance

DomainAffective disorder Character disorder

Aggression Hurts self or others as an end

Hurts others as a means to an end

Peer relationIgnored or rejected Generally accepted by socio cultural group

School behaviorSeen as unable to comply;Inconsistent achievement

Seen as unwilling to comply;Generally low achievement;Excessive absences; rejects help

How to Deal with Socially Maladjusted Child

1. Attempt to identify reasons for the child’s maladjustment.2. Speak daily with the child about his day.3. Discuss misbehavior with the child.4. Help the child create a list of alternatives to misbehavior.5. Refer the child for special education testing.6. Meeting with the parents should be frequent.

Reporter:

Ms. Mary Krisna A. MarcosA.F.G.B.M.T.S.