LEARNING DISABILITIES
“The way my brain process information is quite odd,
I can't even spell; I don’t have even a
high school diploma,
I’m smart, but you can’t prove it on a
paper”
These are the words said by a person who have attention deficit disorder. There are some other types of learning associated disabilities that can hinder learning program.
You all may be aware about the learning
disability issues faced by a nine year old child depicted in the movie ‘Tare
Zameen Par’. Only a small portion of learning disability is shown in the movie.
There are a lot of children facing even more issues related with learning
disorders.
Children with
learning disability grow up to adults with learning disabilities. Some of them
follow a life path that leads to success while others find failure. There are
several major studies focused on identifying which factors contribute to
success for individuals with learning disabilities. These projects points to the
importance of a set of personal characteristics, behavior and attitudes that
can help persons to lead successful life outcomes.
A major change in behavior
can be brought out through learning. Thus the teachers play a vital role in
helping students with learning disabilities by identifying the issues and providing accommodation strategies.
Accommodation strategies means providing
necessary supports for students to access goals or learning potential.
LEARNING DISABILITY
A
learning disability is a neurological disorder. It is the problem that affects
the brain’s ability to receive process, analyze or store information which
reduces intellectual ability. It shows difficulty in reading, writing, spelling,
reasoning, recalling and organizing information.
Generally
people with Learning disability are average or above average intelligence.
Learning disability is referred often as hidden disabilities because, the
person looks perfectly normal and seems to be a very bright and intelligent
person, yet he may be unable to demonstrate the skill level expected from
someone of similar age.
A Learning disability can’t be cured or fixed, it is a lifelong
issue. But, with the right support and intervention, however children with
Learning disability can succeed in school and go on successful.
Parents as well
as teachers can help children with Learning disability by, encouraging their
strength, knowing their weakness and learning about strategies for dealing with
specific difficulties.
CAUSES
The major causes for learning disabilities include;
a)Genetic influences:
The
kids learn and model what their parents do. Thus living conditions and heredity
influence Learning disability.
b)Brain development:
Problems
such as low birth weight, lack of oxygen, ill nutrition in pregnancy stage of child
and premature birth leads to Learning disability. Also Young children with head
injuries may develop the risk of Learning disability.
c)Environmental impacts:
Infant
and young kids are easily influenced to environmental toxins. Eg: lead used in
paints than permitted level, air pollution, water and food pollution. Thus
all these factors contribute to different types of Learning disability.
The
different types of Learning disabilities include dyslexia, disgraphia,
dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysphasia and also attention deficit hyper activity
disorder and autism.
TYPES
1.
DYSLEXIA:
It
is also known as language based Learning disability. It is a common type of
learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Reads slowly and painfully
- Poor handwriting
- Difficulty with written language and recalling words etc.
ACCOMODATION STRATEGIES
- Use multi-sensory teaching methods
- Teach students to use logic rather than rote memory
- Provide a quite area for activities like reading, answering, comprehension question
2.
DYSGRAPHIA:
The
second type of learning disorder is called dysgraphia. It is commonly termed as
a disorder of written expression. It is a specific learning disability that
affects a person’s handwriting ability and fine motor skills.
SIGNS
AND SYMPTOMS
v omitted words
v Inconsistent
spacing between words and letters
v Difficulty
in copying notes, thinking and writing at the same time
ACCOMODATION STRATEGIES
· Use of word processor
· Use
wide rule paper and graph paper
· Suggest
use of pencil grips and designed writing aids
3. DYSPRAXIA:
The next type of learning disorder is dyspraxia. It’s a kind of disorder that causes difficulty in muscle control which causes problems with movement and co-ordination, language and speech and can affect learning. Dyspraxia often exists along with dyslexia, dyscalculia or ADHD.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Poor hand-eye co-ordination
- Distend by loud and constant noises(ticking sound of clock)
- Difficulty with fine motor tasks (coloring between the lines, putting puzzles together, cutting accurately or pasting neatly) etc.
ACCOMODATION STRATEGIES
§ Provide
a place without auditory or visual distractions
§ Refer
student for sensory integration training
§ Be
cognizant of light and light sources that may be irritating to child.
4. DYSCALCULIA:
The
fourth type of learning disorder is called dyscalculia. It is a learning issue
that causes serious math difficulties.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
v Difficulty
regarding converting change and handling matters
v Difficulty
in understanding time and date concepts
v Difficulty
in understanding concepts of place,
value, quantity, number lines, positive and negative value, word problems,
sequencing information, fractions, step problems etc
ACCOMODATION STRATEGIES
§ Use
diagrams and draw math concepts
§ Provide
peer assistance
§ Use
mnemonic devices to learn steps of a math concept
§ Use
rhythm and music to teach math facts and to set steps to beat.
5. DYSPHASIA
The
next type of learning disorder is called dysphasia. It is also called as
aphasia. It is a partial or complete impairment of the ability to communicate
resulting from brain injury. The majority of symptoms will be language related.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
v Difficulty
remembering words
v Difficulty
in speaking complete or meaningful sentences
v Using
words in the wrong order etc.
ACCOMODATION STRATEGIES
· Speech
therapy to improve communication
· Use
pictures and gestures to aid communication
· Provide
quite surroundings
· Communicate
slowly, clearly and repetitive.
6.
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder)
It’s a disorder that includes difficulty in staying focused,
paying attention, difficulty in controlling behavior and hyperactivity. It is
estimated that between 3 and 5% of children have ADHD. This means that in a
classroom of 24 to 30 children, it is likely that at least one will have ADHD.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
v Inattention
v Hyperactivity
v Impulsivity
etc
ACCOMODATION STRATEGIES
§ Give
extra time for test-taking
§ Give
a lighter homework load
§ Seat
the student near the teacher and away from doors and windows.
7.
AUTISM
Another type of learning disorder is autism. It’s a
neurodevelopment disorder. I.e., a group of complex disorders of brain
development. It appears to have its roots in very early brain development. The
symptoms tend to emerge between 2 and 3 years of age.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
v Difficulties
in social interaction.
v Difficulties
in verbal and non-verbal communication
v Repetitive
behaviors
ACCOMODATION STRATEGIES
§ Provide
instructions orally as well as written
§ Allow
extra time to respond to direction
§ Model
tasks
§ Minimize
distractions etc.
CONCLUSION
As a conclusion of this
presentation, research has shown that a set of personal characteristics,
behavior and attitudes that can help persons to lead successful life styles.
Based on that perception our task is to create more windows of opportunity
where they have chance to shine, to relax and redeem their self respect. So it
is important to identify and remediate their needs, discover and nurture their
talents, advocate on their behalf and preserve their dignity in the process.
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