Specific Learning DisabilitiesGroup presentation

ECED 2060

What is a learning disability?

A learning disability is a disorder that interferes with the ability to learn efficiently and effectively.

It is estimated that 5% to 20% of school-aged children in the United States have some sort of learning disability.

It is also estimated that of the children who have a learning disability, 60% to 80% have reading as their main area of need.

Further, it is estimated that the prevalence of specific learning disability among children who are eligible for IDEA (ages 6 – 21) is 52.4%.

Basic Information continued …Learning disabilities affect boys four times

more often than girls. (WHY?)

Learning disability is not the same as mental retardation. Many children with LD are very bright.

The term “learning disabilities” was coined by Samuel Kirk, an educator, in 1963. His concept of learning disabilities was defined by delays, deviations, and performance discrepancies in basic academic subjects (math, reading, spelling, writing) and speech and language problems not attributable to mental retardation.

IDEA definition:A disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations. The term includes such conditions as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. The term does not include children who have learning disabilities which are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of mental retardation, of emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.

DSM definition:Diagnostic criteria for reading

disorder:Reading achievement as measured

by individually administered standardized tests of reading accuracy or comprehension is substantially below that expected given the person’s chronological age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education.

The disturbance above significantly interferes with academic achievement or activities of daily living that require reading skills

If sensory deficit is present, the reading difficulties are in excess of those usually associated with it.

DSM Diagnostic criteria for Mathematics Disorder:Mathematical ability, as

measured by individually administered standardized tests, is substantially below that expected given the person’s chronological age, measured intelligence, and age appropriate education

The disturbance above significantly interferes with academic achievement or activities of daily living that require mathematical ability.

If a sensory deficit is present, the difficulties in mathematical abilities are in excess of those usually associated with it.

DSMDiagnostic criteria for disorder of

written expressionWriting skills, as measured by

individually administered standardized tests (or functional assessments of writing skills) are substantially below those expected given the person’s chronological age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education.

The disturbance above significantly interferes with academic achievement or activities of daily living that require the composition of written texts (e.g., writing grammatically correct sentences and organized paragraphs.

If a sensory deficit is present, the difficulties in writing skills are in excess of those usually associated with it.

Common characteristics of learning disabilities:

Specific academic skills deficits:Basic reading skills

(learning letter names and sounds, blending, applying phonetic and structured analysis)

Reading comprehensionWritingWritten expressionSpellingMathematical calculationMathematical reasoning

Characteristics … (possible …)Perceptual motor

impairments:Difficulty distinguishing

shapes and sizesLack established

handednessLetter, word, number

reversals Difficulty with fine motor

skillsWritingColoringCutting

Characteristics … Possible …Common …

Memory and thinking disorders: Deficient in memory

strategiesHaphazard in approaches to

learningPoor language skills, which

hinder memoryDifficulty with short-term

auditory and visual memoryLack of awareness of skills

and strategies needed to solve problems and solve tasks

Characteristics …Speech and language disorders:

Delayed language developmentDifficulty with grammar

(syntax), meaning (semantics), or social use (pragmatics) of language

Attention DisordersDifficulty concentratingDifficulty remaining on taskRarely finish what is startedJump from one activity to

anotherEasily distracted

Common characteristics:Hyperactivity

Difficulty sitting stillConstantly in motionFidgetyDriven by an “inner motor”

ImpulsivenessAct without thinkingPoor planning and

organizational skillsRespond quickly but make

many errorsLack self-regulation skills

Even more characteristics (possible) …Emotional liability

MoodyOften isolated or rejected by peersLow self-esteemMore likely to violate social normsInappropriate ways to get attentionElicit more negative reactions from

othersLacking in social cognition skillsDifficulty reading non-verbal cuesDifficulty with motivationPassive rather than active learner

Characteristics, almost doneGeneral Coordination Deficits

ClumsyDifficulty with fine and gross

motor skills (tying shoes, running, hopping, skipping)

Difficulty with depth perception

Neurological Soft SignsPoor fine motor coordination,

balance, tactile discrimination.May have strabismus Poor visual-motor coordination

Characteristics (the end of …)Miscellaneous others:

ForgetfulnessLong time to complete tasks and

assignmentsSloppiness in workDifficulty working independentlyInattentivenessTrouble switching between

activitiesImpulsiveLow tolerance for frustrationDaydreamingSad, angry

Possible causes of learning disabilities …Neurological factors: may be caused by certain

irregularities in brain developmentMaturational delayGenetic factors: a person is more likely to have

learning disabilities if someone in his or her family also has learning disabilities.

Causes, possible Environmental factors: sensory deprivation; head

trauma; diseases; malnutrition; lead poisoning; food additives; radiation; fluorescent lighting; stress …

Perinatal insults or conditions: maternal smoking, drinking, use of illicit drugs; exposure to infections; trauma during birth; low birth weight; anoxia; prematurity; use of forceps

No cause is sure. Mostly the cause is unknown.

Disorders in the category:DyslexiaDyscalculiaDysgraphiaCentral Auditory Processing DisorderNonverbal Learning DisabilityDyspraxiaVerbal Perceptual DeficitsVision Motor DeficitsLanguage Disorders (Aphasia or dysphasia)

Videos. You Tube. Can you dig it?The Power Of Dyslexia

about Famous Dyslexics

Dyscalculia 1 2 3 many

Local Resources for Families and Educators

Child and Family Tennessee, Knoxville: http://www.child-family.org/

Family Resource Center, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital: http://www.vanderbiltchildrens.org/interior.php?mid=560

International Dyslexia Association, Tennessee Branch: http://www.tn-interdys.org/

Learning Disabilities Association of Tennessee: http://www.learningdisabilities-tn.org/

Parent-Child Services Group, Inc.: http://www.parent-childservices.com/

Tennessee Center for Study and Treatment of Dyslexia: http://dyslexia.mtsu.edu/

Tennessee Voices for Children, Middle Tennessee: http://www.tnvoices.org/index.php?q=es

National Resources for Families and Educators

National Center for Learning Disabilities: http://www.ncld.org/

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

Dyscalculia Funnies

Out of the box …

Calvin and Hobbes

Dysgraphia

Write your name and address with your non-preferred hand.

Write your name in mirror images with both hands at once.

Write your name at the same time with both hands in the same direction.

Which was the easiest?