Learning Disabilities and Emotions

Facilitator/Presenter: Ernest H. Johnson, Ph.D.NCCAT Fellow, Author, Clinical/Health Psychologist

LD Assessment Developed by Freud Sigmund, Ph.D.

NoTE: Your Score goes up when using only the left eye (right side of brain), but if your score goes down, then hold your nose while reading.

NoTE to self – Remember to tell them that scores also go up (for RHP) if reading with both eyes closed

Goals Of The Session

• Briefly talk about the challenges of using classroom assessment to diagnose LD

• Discuss the origins of the Social –Emotional problems associated with LD

• Offer some tips for helping non-LD students to become sensitive to the LD students

• Review strategies for building self-esteem and confidence among LD students

• Introduce you to One-Minute Management

Observations of students by Psychologist – classroom, home, playgroundInterviews of teachers and parentsParents complete behavioral rating scales of potential problems areasTeachers complete behavioral rating scaleQuestion: Do parents and teachers agree in their rating?Question: Do different teachers agree in their ratings?Question: Do different Psychologists agree in their ratings?Question: What about the student?

Tools for Evaluating Emotional andBehavioral Concerns

Dr. Freud Sigmund, Ph.D.(Self Portrait – Age 12, After Diagnostic Testing)

Dr. Freud Sigmund, Ph.D.Age 12, Helping Girlfriend Learn to Swim, Before

Diagnostic Testing

Every Person has a J.B.O.P.P.P. and

(STYLE) System of Thinking about You

that they Leave Everywhere on

Everyone & Everything

Judgments, Beliefs, Opinions, Positions,

Preferences, Prejudices

Perception is Everything!

Definition

A linear arrangement of multi-sensory recordings of successive moments in the here and now.

Function

To function according to its Self…or whoever it considers its Self to be.

Purpose

To be right…at all costs. Being right means surviving.

PERCEPTIONSare built on experience.

EXPERIENCE leads to belief.

BELIEFSbecome fixed.

When beliefs become fixed, perceptions stabilize.

Then you see what you believe.

Therefore…

It is impossible not to believe what you see your LD students doing, but it is equally impossible to see what you do not believe about your LD students.

Brain Facts*3 pounds, contains 1.1 Trillion cells, 100 Billion Neurons, each Neurons has over 5 Thousand Connections called Synapses.

*Each Neuron signal 5-50 times a second to move information through

your mind and body. *The Brain is only 2%

of the body’s weight, but

it use 30% of it’s Oxygen and

Glucose (ENERGY).

Purpose of the Brain is to be Right!

*Learned Helplessness *My Placebo Study at

UM

Purpose of the BrainThe purpose of the brain is for you…

TO BE RIGHT.At all costs…

Even if it means losing

or ignoring info…

Students With Learning Disabilities

The LARGEST single category of students with Special Needs (11% of children 6 to 14 = 4Mill)Significant difficulties in one or more specific cognitive processes (inherited brain problem)Cognitive difficulties can’t be attributed to other disabilities (mental retardation, visual or hearing loss, etc)Cognitive difficulties interfere with academic achievement to such a degree…that special ed. services are needed

Common Characteristics of Students with LD

• Difficulty sustaining attention in the face of distractions

• Poor reading skills• Ineffective learning and memory

strategies• Difficulty with tasks involving abstract

reasoning• Poor sense of self and low motivation for

academic tasks• Poor motor skills• Poor SOCIAL SKILLS

Social and Emotional Problems

To be Socially Acceptable, students

should be: CooperativeShareOffer pleasant greetingsHave positive interactions with peersAsk for and give informationMake conversationIf you can’t get along, then get going…

(Not all students with LD have social-emotional problems)

Reason for Social-Emotional Problems

• Students with LD (have) problems with Social Cognition – They…

• Misread social cues• Misinterpret the feelings of others• Don’t know when they are bothering

others• Are unaware of the effect of their

behavior on someone else• Are unable to take the perspective of

others or put themselves in someone else’s shoes

• NOTE: Not all students with LD have social-emotional problems

What are the Social Skills Deficits that can result from the Social

Cognitive Problems?

Social Skills Deficits of Children with LD

• Acceptance by peers• Difficulty making friends• Being seen by peers as overly dependent• Being less likely to become leaders• Resolving conflicts without feeling like a loser• Managing frustrations and angry feelings• Initiating or joining conversations or play

activities• Demonstrating empathy• Maintaining a friendship that are genuine• Working in groups• LISTENING fully

The Chinese View Of Listening Listening reflect a cultural view that is a whole-

body experience. Combination of the characters for ears, eyes,

heart, and undivided attention. Listen with: Ears, Eyes, Heart = Undivided Attention

Question: Do our Asian studentshave better listening skills?

Skills Deficits of LD – A Barrier Between Others

No child wants to feel differentAll the attention can be embarrassing Special needs children may require accommodations or modifications to class work (short assignments, large print, etc)Special equipment (walker, wheelchair)Non-disabled peers may be reluctant to include them in…Hurtful remarks can be damaging because of the lack of understandingFrustration, angry feeling, low self-esteem

What advice (tips) can we give to non-LD students about being sensitive to

students with LD?

Tips For Helping Students to Be Sensitive to Students with LD

• Encourage students to find common ground (things they relate to)

• Teach students to ask questions• Ask students to lend a hand and to assist• Encourage students to seek strengths in their

classmates (the boys with special needs maybe the top soccer player; the girl with special needs may be the best artist)

• As a teacher, you have to lead (teach) by example to build Self-Esteem of ALL students

• Remember, your goal is to build character and strengthen interactions between ALL students

Building Self-Esteem with LD Children

LD does not negatively impact self-esteem or confidence, but these can contribute to low self-worth for students with LD.1. Communication Style and Social Awareness – difficulty judging when or how to participate.2. Self-knowledge – trouble understanding their strengths and weaknesses.3. Language – trouble expressing their thoughts.4. Self-perceived Social Status - 5. Self-perceived Ability to Effect Change -

Strategies for Building Confidence and Self-Esteem Among LD Students

• Be empathetic• Communicate with respect• Give undivided attention• Accept and love children for who they are• Give children a change to contribute• Treat mistakes as learning experiences• Emphasize their strengths• Let them solve problems and make decisions• Discipline to teach• NOTE: Children with LD can gain confidence

and feel better about themselves when they develop good social skills and have positive relationships

Famous People with Learning Disabilities

http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/health/696-famous-people-dyslexia-ld-or-ad-hd.gs?page=all

Is your role to help all

students to develop their

brain power and to think about their thinking!

Children with LD can gain confidence and feel better about themselves whey they have

good social skills and positive relationships

Children who feel good about themselves will be good in class and produce good work!

http://www.slideshare.net/shrotriyarakesh/One-Minute-Manager

Dinner Time

Freud Sigmund after Dr. Ernest worked him over…

Anything is possible if you believe…