Learning Disabilities (LD)

Becca Holey

KWL

What are Learning Disabilities (LD)

Learning Disabilities are a neurologically based processing problem. These processing problems can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing and/ or math. They can also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time, planning, abstract reasoning, long or short term memory and attention.

Learning Disability

o Generally speaking, people with learning disabilities are of average or above average intelligence. There often appears to be a gap between the individual’s potential and actual achievement.

o A learning disability cannot be cured or fixed, they are life long challenges. However, with appropriate support and intervention, people with learning disabilities can achieve success in school, at work, in relationships, and in the community.

o In Federal law, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the term is “specific learning disability,” one of 13 categories of disability under that law.

Legal Protections for people with LD

IDEA- provides special education and related services to children and youth with disabilities who are 3-21 years old.

Section 504 or the Rehabilitation Act- prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in federally funded programs and activities.

ADA- is another civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination in schools, the workplace and other environments

Specific Learning Disabilities

LD is an umbrella term describing a number of other, more specific LD

• Auditory processing Disorder (APD)

• Dyscalculia• Dysgraphia• Dyslexia• Language Processing

Disorder• Non-Verbal Learning

Disability• Visual perceptual/ Visual

Mortar Defect

Dyscalculia

Signs and Symptoms A specific learning disability that affects a person’s ability to understand numbers

and learn math facts.

Individuals with this type of LD may also have poor comprehension of math symbols, may struggle with memorizing and organizing numbers, have difficulty telling time, or have trouble with counting.

They can also show difficulty understanding concepts of place value, and quantity, number lines, positive and negative value

Strategies For Teachers

Allow use of fingers and scratch paper

Use diagrams and draw math concepts

Provide peer assistance

Suggest use of graph paper

Suggest use of colored pencils to differentiate problems

Work with manipulatives

Draw pictures of word problems

Use rhythm and music to teach math facts and to set steps to a beathttp://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/

DysgraphiaSigns and Symptoms A specific learning disability that affects a person’s handwriting ability and fine motor

skills.

Problems may include illegible handwriting, inconsistent spacing, poor spatial planning on paper, poor spelling, and difficulty composing writing as well as thinking and writing at the same time

Has unfinished words or letters

Exhibits strange wrist, body or paper position

Copying or writing is slow

Strategies For Teachers Suggest use of word processor

Use oral exams

Allow use of tape recorder for lectures

Allow the use of a note taker

Provide notes or outline to reduce the amount of writing required

Reduce copying aspects of work (pre-printed math problems)

Allow use of wide rule paper or graph paper

Provide alternatives to written assignments (Video-taped reports, audio- taped reports)

http://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/

DyslexiaSigns and Symptoms

A specific learning disability that affects reading and related language-based processing skills.

The severity can differ in each individual but can affect reading fluency, decoding, reading comprehension, recall, writing, spelling, and sometimes speech.

Reads slowly

Experiences decoding errors, especially with the order of letters

Has trouble spelling

Exhibits difficulty recalling know words

Has difficulty with written language

May experience difficulty with math computations

Strategies For Teachers

Provide a quiet area for activities like reading, answering comprehension question

Use books on tape

Provide a copy of lecture notes

Don’t count spelling on history, science or other similar tests

Allow alternative forms for book reports

Allow the use of a laptop or other computer for in-class essays

Use multi-sensory teaching methods

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zafiGBrFkRM http://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/

Sample

Writing

This is a sample of student writing. David is in third grade and this sample writing came from his science journal. This passage took David 20 minutes to complete with some assistance from his teacher.

Sample

Writing

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/

Prevalence and Characteristics of Students With LD �

• LD is the largest category of students receiving special education services.

• There are 2.4 million American public school students (approximately 5 percent of the total public school enrollment) identified with learning disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

• Forty-two percent of the 5.7 million school-age children with all kinds of disabilities who receive special education services are served in this category. �

• The number of students identified with LD has declined by 18 percent

between 2002 and 2011, while total special education has declined by just 3 percent. �

• Two-thirds of students identified with LD are male. �

• Black and Hispanic students are overrepresented in many states while white and Asian students are underrepresented in the LD category.

http://www.ncld.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2014-State-of-LD.pdf

YouTube Video

Eye to Eyehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEqd3IAdTRY

Learning Disabilities are referred to as “hidden disabilities” the person looks perfectly “normal” and seems to be a very bright and intelligent person, yet they may be unable to demonstrate the skill level expected from someone of similar age.

Sources

Learning Disabilities- http://ldaamerica.org/types-of-learning-disabilities/

KWL Chart- Google Images

Student Sample-http://www.ngtvoice.com/services/assistive/peel.htm

Misunderstood Minds-http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/

Dyslexia Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zafiGBrFkRM

Prevalence and Characteristics of Students With LD http://www.ncld.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2014-State-of-LD.pdf

IDEA- http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/disability/idea.aspx