Learning Disabilities
Written Expression, Math, and Reading
What are learning disabilities?
- Paying attention
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Math
- Difficulty rhyming and separating sounds, making reading difficult;
- Difficulty deciphering the true meaning of a sentence;
- Trouble connecting sounds of language to the written letter.
- Trouble reading, writing, and copying numbers;
- Issues counting and adding numbers;
- Being unsure whether to add or subtract;
- Confusion with math symbols and word problems;
- Inability to perform basic math tasks.
- Errors in punctuation and grammar;
- Poor handwriting, spelling, and writing organization.
It is important for all persons in the classroom and out that learning disabilities vary by the individual. Which they may be blanketed by one common term, their symptoms, learning styles and preferences will differ by each individual case. Also, some children may only have one learning disability while others may have multiple. Regardless of their situation they can learn and you can teach them!
What can you do in the classroom?
- Break assignments and tasks into smaller steps;
- Make sure that instructions are given in verbal and written form;
- Give additional time for tests and homework.
There are many things that teachers can do to help their students with learning disabilities inside and out of the classroom. Here are a few examples for written expression, mathematical, and reading learning disabilities.
Written expression disability:
- Allow students to begin writing assignments before other students;
- Provide students paper with their name, date, and title already filled in;
- Provide an outline for taking notes;
- Have another student take notes for them;
- Help student break down assignment into smaller steps;
- Provide a rubric for grading;
- Have students try out different pens or pencils to find what works best for them.
Mathematical disability:
- Let student talk about how to solve a problem;
- Give student list of math formulas taught in class;
- Highlight/circle key words and numbers on word problems;
- Allow students to use a calculator when not being tested on computation;
- Break down worksheets into sections.
Reading disability:
- Provide a color strip for reading;
- Give student an audiobook copy to listen to while reading;
- Have notes for the lesson to fill in or follow along;
- Allow understanding to be shown in different ways;
- Have student read out loud daily.
There are many more strategies teachers can use in the classroom but these are just a few to get you started!
Want more information on learning disabilities?
Disorder of written expression: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (2016, May 03). Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001543.htm
Learning Disabilities (LD) | Center for Parent Information and Resources. (2015, July). Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/ld/
Morin, A. (2014, April 29). At a Glance: Classroom Accommodations for Dysgraphia. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/at-a-glance-classroom-accommodations-for-dysgraphia
Morin, A. (2014, April 25). At a Glance: Classroom Accommodations for Dyscalculia. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/at-a-glance-classroom-accommodations-for-dyscalculia
Morin, A. (2014, April 22). At a Glance: Classroom Accommodations for Dyslexia. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructional-strategies/at-a-glance-classroom-accommodations-for-dyslexia