Chapter Six

1. Chapter Six Individuals With Learning Disabilities

2. Defining Learning Disabilities Criteria for Diagnosis includes: • Child does not achieve at expected age and ability levels • A severe discrepancy is present between a child’s 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

4. Brief History of the Field

5. 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

6. Suspected Etiologies of Learning Disabilities • Acquired trauma to the central nervous system • Genetic/hereditary influences • Biochemical abnormalities • Environmental possibilities

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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 student’s native language • A single measure cannot be used to determine eligibility

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

13. 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.

15. Assessment Strategies • Norm-referenced assessment • Criterion-referenced assessment • Curriculum-based assessment • Portfolio assessment

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. Adults With Learning Disabilities Supports and modifications needed for college success: • Time management issues • Organizational skills • Self-discipline

21. 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 child’s behavior • Devote time and attention to their family members • Make a life for yourself

23. 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.

24. Trends, Issues, and Controversies • Full Inclusion Movement • Educational Reform Movement