LEARNING DISABILITIES

1. LEARNING DISABILITIES Resource File Edu 255 Fall 2012 Donita Mallory

2. Table of Contents • Federal Definition • NJCLD Definition • Terminology • Classification • Prevalence • Causes • Characteristics • Early Intervention • Placement Options • Assessment • Transition • Best Practiced Instruction • Materials • Methodologies • Instructional Strategies • Technologies • Resources • Local • State • Federal • Bibliography

3. FederalDefinition “The term “specific learning disability” means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which disorder may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations” (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2009, p. 187).

4. NJCLD DefinitionNational Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities • Learning disabilities is a general term that refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, or mathematical abilities. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual, presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction, and may occur across the life span. Problems in self-regulatory behaviors, social perception and social interaction may exist with learning disabilities but do not by themselves constitute a learning disability. Although learning disabilities may occur concomitantly with other handicapping conditions (for example, sensory impairment, mental retardation, serious emotional disturbance) or with extrinsic influences (such as cultural differences, insufficient or inappropriate instruction), they are not the result of those conditions or influences (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2009, p.188).

5. Terminology Learning Disabilities Aphasia: difficulty with language Auditory Processing Disorder: difficulty hearing differences between sound Dyscalculia: difficulty with mathematics Dysgraphia: difficulty with handwriting Dyslexia: difficulty reading Dysnomia: problems remembering names or recalling words Dyspraxia: Difficulty with fine motor skills Language Disabilities: difficulty in listening, speaking, reading, writing, or spelling Minimal Brain Injury: physical damage to brains tissue or structure Visual Processing Disorder: Difficulty interpreting visual information

6. Classification IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act RTI Response to Intervention TIER 1Universal Screening and Benchmarking of All Students TIER 2 Identifying Specific Strengths and Weaknesses and Progress Monitoring TIER 3: Diagnostic Testing and Intensive Progress Monitoring • Student doesn’t achieve with their age and ability level • Severe discrepancy between achievement and intellectual ability in academic skills

7. Prevalence “According to U.S. government figures, public schools have identified as learning disabled between 5 and 6 percent of students between six and seventeen years of age” (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2009, p.191). The classification of learning disabilities has more than doubled since the mid 1970’s, an dis increasing yearly. Research suggests that the male gender is at greater risk of being classified as having some type of LD.

8. Etiology(causes) After much research, it is believed that learning disabilities are caused from a dysfunction within the brain or central nervous system due to genetic, teratogenicity, or medical factors.

9. Characteristics Educational Behavioral Attention & Hyperactivity: distractibility, impulsivity Memory & Metacognitive: forgetfulness, awareness of own thinking process Social & Emotional: depression, rejection, suicidal, loneliness, isolation • Reading is most difficult • Written Language: handwriting, spelling, composition • Spoken Language: grammar, word meaning, phonology • Math

10. Early Intervention • Diagnosis at the preschool age is more a prediction • Developmental delays and behavioral issues are easy pinpointed • “Even though it’s wise to be cautious in identifying preschool children as learning disabled, researchers have determined that there are several risk factors that are relatively good predictors of later learning disabilities” (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2009, p.215).

11. DesigningImplementingAssessing • Testing Accommodations • Assessments read orally • Visual print enlarged • Assessment separated into more than one setting • Extended allotted time • Small group assessment • Curriculum based measurement • Informal reading inventory • Standardized achievement assessment

12. Transition into Adulthood Transition May have problems learning, socializing, holding jobs, and living independently and just coping with daily living situations Ability to set goals Acceptance of weaknesses Support socially Quality on-the-job or postsecondary vocational training Ability to take control of their life

13. Best Practiced Instruction • Materials • Phonics game ≈ $2 and up • Taped text ≈ $3 and up • Educational Videos ≈ $3 and up • Notecardsless than $1 • Ruler less than $1 • Pencil grips ≈ $2 for 10 • Methods • Small amounts of material • Rhythm & music for math facts • Oral exams • Whispering when one on one & warning before bell or fire alarm • Demonstrate activities • Student dictation of assignments • Speak slow and clear using simple sentences

14. Best Practiced Instruction cont… • Instructional Strategies • Direct instruction • Material broke into small steps • Regular quality feedback • Diagrams • Graphics • Pictures • Allow ample independent practice on concepts • Enlarged print • Technologies • Talking word processors ≈ $45 • Braille hardware stickers ≈ $20 • Electronic math worksheets • Monitor screen magnifiers ≈ $45 • Talking calculators ≈ $12 to $80 • Smartboards ≈$900 to $3000

15. Informative Resources • Local • Growing Minds Learning Center Owensboro, KY 1-270-827-4652http://www.growingmindslearningcenter.com/ • Department of Education 1-800-KDE-5372 • Public School in area • Wendell Foster’s Campus for Developmental Disabilities, Owensboro, KY http://www.wkatc.org/assistive_technology_center/ • Learning Disability Center http://www.medicinenet.com/learning_disability/owensboro-ky_city.htm • State • Learning Disabilities Association of KY, Inc. http://www.ldaofky.org/ • KY Department of Education Special Education http://education.ky.gov/specialed/excep/pages/default.aspx. • Kentuckiana Dyslexia Services http://www.kydyslexiaservices.com/ • KY Accessibility Services http://kentucky.gov/health/Pages/disabilityResources.aspx • KATS Network http://www.katsnet.org/ • KY Services for Children and Youth http://chfs.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/374FD204-942B-4166-8B74-BB5C6443358/0/ResDir2005.pdf • Federal • National Center for Learning Disabilities http://www.ncld.org/ • Learning Disabilities Association of America http://www.ldanatl.org/ • CHADD http://www.chadd.org/

16. The Brescia Difference The Brescia difference is a conceptual framework defining Brescia’s idea of what a professional educator should model, which consists of ethics, advocacy, service, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The resource file is a useful tool to assist us as future professional educators. Equality and fairness are important ethical characteristics we should example toward each student with or without any exceptionalities. Through the research process, I learned to focus on the students’ strengths instead of their weaknesses and to see the student first before their disability. As for advocacy, we need to be able to assist in helping the student and their family learn what resources are available to them. Get the families involved in the students’ education; also accommodate material and assessments to enable student success. Service isn’t only toward the student but also the family. We should focus on success for both the student and the family. I’ve learned through this procedure of creating a resource file that life is no longer the same after a child born with disabilities comes into the family. There are major adjustments from all different angles of life and as a future educator I want to be able to be of service to the family any way I can. Also, teachers should committee to a life of learning. I believe the knowledge gained isn’t to be conserved; rather it is to be shared for the betterment of others.

17. Bibliography Adaptive Technology and Accessibility Centers – Braille Hardware. (2012, April 160. Indiana University. Retrieved November 24, 2012, from http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts/technology/hardware/braille/index.html Canter, A. (2004). Learning Disabilities – TeachersAndFamilites. New Directions in Identifying Learning Disabilities. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from http://www.teachersandfamilies.com/open/parent/idea2.cfm Gibson, Ken. (2012). LearningRx. Retrieved from http://www.learningrx.com/some-types-of-learning-disabilities.htm Kemp, G., Smith, M., & Segal, J. (2012, November). Learning Disabilities in Children: Types of Disorders and Their Signs. Helpguide helps you help yourself and other. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/learning_disabilities.htm LDA.(2005-11). Learning Disabilities Association of America. Retrieved from http://www.ldanatl.org/aboutld/teachers/understanding/types.asp Learning Disabilities: An Overview Reading Topics A-Z Reading Rockets. (2008). Reading Comprehension & language Arts Teaching Strategies for Kids, Reading Rockets. Retrieved November 2012, from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/5613/ Learning Disabilities Association of America. (n.d.). Retrieved Noverber 11, 2012, fromhttp://www.ldanatl.org/ Myers, B. (2012, June 7). Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities Educational Material – Healthy Place. HealthyPlace.com – Trusted Mental health information and Support – Healthy Place. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from http://www.healthyplace.com/adhd/articles/dyslexia-and- learning-disabilities-educational-material/ National Center for Learning Disabilities. (2012). Ncld.org. Retrieved November 11, 2012, from http://www.ncld.org/ Polk County Public Schools Polk County, Florida. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2012, from http://www.polk.fl.net/staff/teachers/ese/documents/sldwaystohelpstudents.pdf Quenneville, J. (2001). Tech Tools for Students with Learning Disabilities : Infusion into Inclusive Classrooms. LD Online: The world’s leading website on learning disabilities and ADHD. Retrieved November 11, 2012, from http://www.ldonline.org/article/6380/ TeachingLD. (n.d.). TeachingLD. Retrieved 2012, from http://teachingld.org/