Learning Disabilities
Characteristics Help in the Classroom Additional Resources
What is a Learning
Disability?
A learning disability (LD) is a disorder
that affects a child's ability to interpret what they see and hear or to link
information from different parts of the brain. Specific difficulties are
with spoken and written language, coordination, self-control, or
attention. Students with these difficulties, may have problems with
schoolwork and have difficulties to learn to read and write, or do do
math. Students with academic skills disorders are often years behind
their classmates in developing reading, writing, or arithmetic skills.
What Causes Learning
Disabilities?
No one knows what causes
learning disabilities. One theory is that learning disabilities stem from
slight disturbances in brain structures and functions.
What
are characteristics of students with learning disabilities?
Most children have
difficulties in many of these areas.
Organization Spoken or Written Language
Knowing the time, date, and year
Learning or pronouncing words
Managing time Discriminating
between sounds
Completing assignments
Relating or writing stories
Locating belongings
Understanding questions
Putting things in order
Responding to questions
Carrying out a plan
Following directions
Making decisions
Reading comprehension
Setting priorities
Spelling
Memory
Attention and
Concentration
Remembering directions Completing a task
Learning math facts
Acting before thinking
Learning new procedures Waiting
Identifying letters
Restlessness
Remembering names Daydreaming
Remembering events Distractibility
Studying for tests Carrying out requests
Physical Coordination
Social
Behavior
Manipulating small objects
Making and keeping friends
Learning self-help skills
Impulsive behavior
Cutting
Low frustration tolerance
Drawing
Sportsmanship
Handwriting
Accepting changes in routine
Climbing and running
Interpreting nonverbal cues
Mastering sports
Working cooperatively
How
can I help the student in the school setting?
Mnemonics
Use mnemonics to improve memory of names (ex. HOMES for the
great lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior).
Experience
Retention of concepts can be difficult for students with a
learning disability. Relate new
concepts with concrete experiences that they have had.
Task-Specific Strategies
Break tasks down into steps for students to follow and be
consistent in using the steps when performing the task..
Example of steps
with problem solving for math:
1.
read the
problem
2.
look for
important words and circle them (e.i. how
many left, how many more)
3.
draw
pictures to help tell what is happening
4.
write
down the math sentence (equation)
5.
write
down the answer
Graphic Organizers
Graphic organizers can organize students’ ideas and
thoughts in writing, math and reading.
Practice
Provide continuous practice for new and old material that is
learned to develop success.
For more information on learning
disabilities, visit these websites.
References
Heward, W. L. (1996). Exceptional Children: An
Introduction to Special
Education
(5th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Mastropieri, M. A. & Scruggs, T.E. (1991). Teaching
students ways to
remember strategies for learning mnemonically. Cambridge, MA:
Brookline Books.
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with the Shenendehowa Central School District Web Publishing Guidelines by
B. Lemieur,
L. Mickle,
K. Tucker