Chapter Six

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Chapter Six

• Individuals With
• Learning Disabilities

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Defining Learning Disabilities

• Criteria for Diagnosis includes
• Child does not achieve at expected age and
  ability levels
• A severe discrepancy is present between a childs
  achievement and potential in one or more of the
  following areas
• Oral expression
• Listening comprehension
• Written expression
• Basic reading skills
• Reading comprehension
• Mathematics calculation
• Mathematic reasoning
• Student does not respond to Response to
  Intervention (RTI) strategies
• Watch this animated video to see a description of
  Learning Disabilities

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Brief History of the Field
Foundation Phase Brain research conducted on adults with brain injuries
Transition Phase Scientific research applied to childrens learning
Integration Phase Legislation fostered educational changes based on research findings and introduced the new term learning disability in 1963.
Current Phase Educators face new challenges, and embrace new educational advances, to meet the needs of their students with learning disabilities
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Prevalence of Learning Disabilities

• Estimates range from 1 to 30 of the school
  population
• The federal government suggested that
  approximately 2.52 million students ages 6 to 21
  were identified as having learning disabilities
• The federal government now counts preschoolers
  with learning disabilities
• The number of students identified with learning
  disabilities has increased over the years

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Suspected Etiologies of Learning Disabilities

• Acquired trauma to the central nervous system
• Genetic/hereditary influences
• Biochemical abnormalities
• Environmental possibilities

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Characteristics of Individuals With Learning
Disabilities

• Disorders of attention
• Poor motor abilities
• Psychological process deficits and
  information-processing problems
• Lack of cognitive strategies needed for efficient
  learning
• Oral language difficulties
• Reading Difficulties
• Written language problems
• Quantitative disorders
• Social skills deficits

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Language Difficulties

• Comprehension
• Decoding
• Word recognition
• Phonological awareness
• Dyslexia
• Spelling
• Writing
• Speaking
• Organizing thoughts into words (written or
  spoken)
• Watch this video about Dyslexia to learn more
  about this disability.

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Mathematics Difficulties

• Computational skills
• Word problems
• Spatial relationships
• Writing numbers
• Copying shapes, patterns
• Understanding mathematical concepts
• Dyscalculia
• Watch this video about Dyscalculia to learn more
  about this disability

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Social and Emotional Difficulties

• Lower self-esteem
• Poor self-concept
• Frustration
• Difficulty understanding and interpreting social
  cues and social situations
• Difficulty making and maintaining friendships and
  relationships

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Assessment of Students with Learning Disabilities

• IDEA requires a multidisciplinary evaluation
• Tests are administered by trained professionals
• Tests are reliable and valid
• Tests are not discriminatory
• Tests are administered in the students native
  language
• A single measure cannot be used to determine
  eligibility

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Assessment Decisions

• Assessments are conducted to determine if a
  discrepancy exists between the childs potential
  and achievement.
• Includes a variety of intellectual, achievement,
  and other assessments to determine the childs
  potential and actual achievement.
• Discrepancies formulas and eligibility vary by
  state.

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Response to Intervention (RTI)

• States have the option to use a discrepancy model
  to determine eligibility or they may implement
  RTI strategies.
• RTI is generally a process that increases the
  levels of instructional interventions provided in
  the regular classroom. Students who do not meet
  with success with intensive interventions may
  have a learning disability.
• Provides instructional support without waiting
  for a special education label.

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Assessment Strategies

• Norm-referenced assessment
• Criterion-referenced assessment
• Curriculum-based assessment
• Portfolio assessment

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Approaches to Teaching Academic Skills

• Cognitive training
• Help students learn new ways to complete tasks
  and think about their learning
• Direct instruction
• Teacher-directed lessons that provide
  step-by-step explicit instruction
• Mnemonic strategies
• Aids with recall by creating an association that
  is easily remembered
• Learning strategies
• Teach students how to learn

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Common Characteristics of Preschoolers Who Are
At-Risk for Later Classification of a Learning
Disability

• Poor depth perception
• Toe walking
• Distractibility
• Short attention span
• Impulsiveness
• Hyperactivity
• Poor motor control
• Delayed speech

• Use of jumbled words
• Limited vocabulary
• Difficulty focusing
• Memory problems
• Immaturity
• Difficulty following simple directions
• Problems understanding

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Transition Into Adulthood

• Transition planning requirements
• Vocational training
• Preparation for post secondary education
• Employment possibilities
• Independent living
• Social skills
• Self-determination skills

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Adults With Learning Disabilities

• Supports and modifications needed for college
  success
• Time management issues
• Organizational skills
• Self-discipline

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Family Issues

• Lerner and Johns (2009) offer the following
  recommendations for parents of children with
  learning disabilities
• Become an informed consumer
• Be an assertive advocate
• Be firm yet empathetic in managing a childs
  behavior
• Devote time and attention to their family members
• Make a life for yourself

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Technology and Individuals With Learning
Disabilities

• The use of technology has been a great benefit
  to people with disabilities including those with
  learning disabilities. Students with learning
  disabilities are increasingly making use of
  technology to assist them in achieving academic
  success including word processing, the internet,
  assistive technology, videodiscs, CD-ROMS, and
  hypermedia.

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Trends, Issues, and Controversies

• Full Inclusion Movement
• Educational Reform Movement