is Academic vs. Intellectual disability different?
yes, academic disability are serious problems learning
no, academic disability are not serious problems learning
are there physical visible characteristics for those with learning disabilities?
is a learning disability defined as a disorder in one or more psychological processes involved in understanding or using language; spoken or written
Learning disabilities may result in
listening or speaking
reasoning/thinking
reading, writing, spelling
math
is math the biggest struggle with learning disabilities?
is READING the biggest struggle with in learning disabilities?
IDEA defines learning disability as perceptual disabilities, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, developmental aphasia
exclusion clause states that SLD's do NOT include learning problems cause by
lack of appropriate instruction
intellectual disability (mental retardation)
visual, hearing, or physical disability
limited English proficiency, cultural or environmental factors
Guidelines for identifying students with SLD (IDEA 2004)
1. Student has academic skills deficits-doesn't achieve at grade level (in on or more areas)
2. Shows a pattern of strengths and weaknesses in performing and/or achievement
3. If student fails to respond to high quality research based instruction then referral for special education assessment may be made
4. Rule out specified "exclusionary factors" not a result of intellectual disability, visual, hearing, physical disability, or cultural or environmental factors
5. Discrepancy between Ability and Acheievement no longer required to be eligible. Allows for use of a Response to Intervention (RTI) as an alternative approach to identify students with SLD's
SLD Data
highest incidence disability category approx 34% of special education students
inclusion rates apron 67% are in gen ed classroom most of the day (80%) or more
Gender representation 2 out of 3 boys, girls underrepresented
disproportionate representation black and native over represented
68% of students with SLD's graduate with a regular diploma
SLD has the highest incidence disability category at
causes of learning disabilities are from
events that happened
most cases are unknown
genetic influence believed to be in 2 out of 3 cases
causes of learning disabilities are
brain imaging shows changes in structure and functioning for reading and math problems
prenatal exposure to toxins
environmental factors
premature-low birth weight
impact of SLDs on Cognition "psychological processes"
Perception/Processing- brain based
Attention- length of time
Memory
Metacognition- planning, evaluating, monitoring, thinking about thinking
Organization- strong organization is really helpful for school. this kid is completely surprised there was a test
Dyslexia- severe reading disability involves trouble connecting the sounds that make up words with the letters that represent those sounds
dysgraphia severely impaired ability to write legibly and at an age-appropriate speed
Dyscalculia- impaired ability to perform mathematical functions
Accommodations change HOW THEY LEARN and Modifications CHANGE WHAT THEY LEARN
Direct Instruction steps are Modeling Modilized( Modeling, Modilized ), Guided Practice Guided Practitoner( Guided Practice, Guided Practitoner ), Independent Practice/Testing Independent Practice/Tutorials( Independent Practice/Testing, Independent Practice/Tutorials )
provides memory assistance and a sequence of specific steps for accomplishing tasks