Learning Disabilities

Agenda

• Definition

• Eligibility Requirements

• Characteristics

• Accommodations

Definition• Specific Learning Disability = a disorder in 1 or

more of the basic psychological processes– academic areas learning disabilities can affect;

• Oral expression• Listening comprehension• Written expression• Word recognition• Reading comprehension• Math calculations and reasoning

Definition• Specific Learning Disability = a disorder in 1 or

more of the basic psychological processes

– Other specific areas that L.D. can affect are;• Metacognitive abilities

• Social-Emotional abilities

• Memory

• Attention and cause hyperactivity

Eligibility Requirements

• Ways in which students become eligible to receive Special Education services ;

– Scores show to be “at-risk” for academic failure

– Failed to respond to high-quality academic instruction in the general setting

– Failed to respond to multi-tier interventions

– a discrepancy between IQ and academic achievement

Eligibility Requirements• The Special Education Process Guide for South

Carolina states recommends a two-pronged test for eligibility;

(1) Does the child have a disability?

(2) If so, does the child have a need for special education and related services. (pg 26)

Characteristics• Unexpected

underachievement

• Inability to generalize

• Immature

• Hyperactive

• Impulsive

• Disorganized

• Unmotivated

• Dependent

• Poor Meta-cognitive skills

• Poor Self-Monitoring Skills

• Poor Memory

Characteristics-Input• Difficulty with:

– discriminating sounds.

– understanding grammar.

– discriminating letters and words.

– organizing learned skills.

Characteristics- Processing

• Difficulty with:

– abstract reasoning.

– problem solving.

– Long-term & short-term memory.

– working memory.

– understanding information while processing additional information.

Characteristics- Output• Difficulty with:

– generalizing learned information to other situations.

– recognizing and discriminating previously learned information.

– identifying and performing everyday classroom tasks.

Accommodations-Some Examples

• Presentation: –Provide in large print

–Reduce number of items per page

–Present instructions orally

Accommodations-Some Examples

• Response: –Allow for verbal responses

–Allow for answers to be dictated to a scribe

–Permit responses to be given via computer

Accommodations-Some Examples

• Timing: – Allow frequent breaks – Extend allotted time for a test

• Test Scheduling – Administer a test in several timed sessions– Allow subtests to be taken in a different order – Administer a test at a specific time of day

Accommodations-Some Examples

• Setting: – Provide preferential seating – Provide a space with minimal distractions – Administer a test in small group setting – Administer a test in alternative test site

• Other – Provide special test preparation – Provide on-task/focusing prompts – Provide any reasonable accommodation that a student

needs

Accommodations-In Action!

• Key Words! In the IEP

– “Based on the student’s disability, describe accommodations needed to participate and progress in the general curriculum;”

Accommodations-In Action!

• “Due to AW’s orthopedic disability, the following accommodations will allow for the student to participate in the general education setting;

– AW uses a computer with assistive technology to write and a portable communication device for verbal communication.

– A scribe is needed for AW to take notes in all subject areas.

– Verbal prompting to help her remain on task.”

Accommodations-In Action!

• “Due to DF’s disability in the areas of behavior, the following accommodations will allow for the student to participate in the general education setting;

-Allowed to use the resource room, guidance counselor, or administrator as a safe place to de-escalate when upset.

-Use of behavior plan in general education setting

-Seating near teacher but with personal space from peers.”

Accommodations-In Action!

• “Due to WG’s disability in the areas of writing, the following accommodations will allow for the student to participate in the general education setting;

-Should be given a choice of writing an assignment or using his tablet/word processor

-Short answers and essay questions on tests can be dictated

-Notes, PowerPoint, study guides, homework and classwork assignments should be posted on a website or Google doc”

Accommodations-In Action!• “Due to EP’s disability in the areas of reading, writing, and math, the

following accommodations will allow for the student to participate in the general education setting;

-Oral administration on assessments above EP’s instructional reading level

-Small group testing of assessments over 10 questions to minimize distractions

-Copy of notes (either electronic or hard copy)

-Extended time to complete classwork assignments not finished in class

-Use of a calculator on classwork and assessments on math problems above Evan's instructional level.”

All These People with A Specific Learning Disability!

Do you think they let their disability stop them?Thank Goodness it didn’t!

Be an advocate for all learning styles.

Thank You!