Learning Disabilities

To many of the public, learning disability is defined as a general definition, but to professionals it is much more. There are different definitions that professionals use in defining a learning disability. There are many children who suffer from a learning disability. Defined by IDEA a “learning disability is a disorder in 1 or more of the 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 to do mathematical calculations.” These disorders include conditions as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunctions, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. If a person has a learning problem that is a result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities or mental retardation of emotional disturbance, or environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage it is not including in the learning disability definition. Students with a learning disability have a very hard time acquiring the basic skills or academic content. Reading, writing, mathematics, and speaking are usually learning disabilities which are a inconsistency with the students ability and their achievement.
In determining if a student has a learning disability is a multi step process. Usually it is noticed first by the parents or the teacher in seeing that the child is having a complicated time in learning skills or understand content that is being taught. After this has been determined then the teacher is to gather information on the students’ performance on certain areas and then meet with teams within the school to help develop a plan within the classroom to help the individual. If this plan is successful and gives a positive effect then they continue out with the plan and the case closes within the team. If perhaps this strategy isn’t successful then the teacher, parent, or even the student can be referred to special education for a evaluation. Then the schools must take the approach within the IDEA and follow the guidelines and procedures. The evaluation that is given assesses on intellectual potential, academic achievement, emotional functioning, hearing and vision, social functioning, and performance in the classroom. After this assessment is complete then it is reviewed with the parents to determine if the child meets the requirements to have a learning disability.


Implications and Teaching Modifications

As a Elementary teacher which one day I will be in kindergarten, I think it is very important in making sure these student whom have a learning disability get the appropriate help and communication they need in receiving their education. All though this is a critical time in these children’s live this is the time that learning disabilities become apparent. As a teacher it is my responsibility to look and evaluate these children’s individual achievements, process, and learning. If I see that a student is falling behind I need to take the appropriate steps in helping this individual getting the achievement needed in education.
I think all parents should be a part of their child’s education but when a child has a learning disability parent involvement is a must! I think one great tool in helping me as a teacher and also keeping the parent involved in knowing what the child has done during the day and also what the child needs to do is a planner. We had these when I went to elementary school and the parent had to sign them every night after reviewing what their child had done that day. I think this is an excellent way of getting the parent involved and having that communication with the teacher. As, I will be teaching kindergarten it is expected that children won’t be able to write in their planner when starting but I think it is extremely important that as a teacher I have these planners especially for the students whom have a learning disability and that I need to communicate with the parents regularly. This will allow me to write what the child has experienced that day, what was accomplished, what they did great on, and also, areas that need to be worked on. Planners are a great communication tool, especially when you require that the child must share with their parent and take them back the next day signed in order to receive a reward, say you would doing stars or a reward system for it.

Let’s say that that I’m having a child whom has a learning disability and is struggling in spelling. As a teacher I think it is all about repetition. I think seeing, saying, writing, and rewriting is very important that a student must do when struggling on spelling. A child will hear you say it, and will see it but writing it and rewriting it is repetition that will stick. I think for all student I will make them write their spelling words say 3 times but for a child with a learning disability in spelling maybe they should have special one on one help and possibly have to write them say 5 or 7 times each to they are seeing, saying, and writing it more.

Specific Technology:
Audio recording are an excellent way for student to hear and also read along with the text. Videos on the material, Electronic Games, Organizers, Overheads projectors, Rhyming, Handouts, Signs, large and colorful posters throughout the room, Computers, tape recorders so they can tape themselves and then play over and over. There are few but I’m sure there is a tons of different specific technology that can be used in helping implementing learning disabilities.

Annotated Reference Materials

Exceptional Children Ninth Edition Textbook- helpful in getting the definition and leading me in the direction to the different learning disabilities.

http://www.cldinternational.org/ - great for learning

www.dldcec.org –great resources on helping student with their homework.

http://www.teachingld.org/understanding/default.htm- very helpful in different questions and answers.