Specialty Schools | ESE Education

Understanding Expressive Language Disorder

Expressive language disorder (ELD) is usually a childhood disorder and it usually manifests itself during the grade school years because that is when the child is most likely going to start communicating with other children his age on a consistent basis. There are actually two different types of the disorder. The first comes without any known cause and can manifest itself without any real type of warning. The other type of ELD actually occurs after a traumatic brain injury thanks to blunt force trauma or some other catastrophic event. Acquired ELD can also occur after someone suffers a stroke, though obviously that particular ELD is not occurring very often in school age children.

Developmental ELD is the type that generally shows up in students and children and can very much get in the way of learning and interacting with their fellow students and teachers. Imagine you understand exactly the question you want to ask of your teacher and yet you simply cannot get the words out. Now imagine that you are out on the playground trying to enjoy recess but you cannot play with the other children because they donâ€™t understand what you are trying to tell them. This is the problem many students with ELD face.

Generally speaking, fixing developmental ELD can be done with extensive therapy with a speech therapist. Eventually a therapist can explain to the child several different tricks that will allow them to express themselves in a way that allows them to get along in school. Eventually developmental ELD can be overcome completely and put aside like it was a very bad cold. Of course Acquired ELDâ€™s prognosis is much worse because the onset is usually triggered by actual physical damage to the brain. While treatment may eventually make the Acquired ELD manageable, there is seldom a real cure for this type of disorder.

Filed Under: ESE Classrooms, Specialty Schools Tagged With: Child, Conditions and Diseases, Expressive language disorder, Health, Health care, Neurological Disorders, Speech and language pathology, Traumatic brain injury

Ways Around A Rambunctious Child

One of the most well known problems with a child who has a learning disability is that they may have problems sitting still while class is going on. Having a hard time grasping a subject for a small child can usually lead to becoming disinterested, bored and restless while class is going on. While they may not act out to the level where they are actually interrupting class or being totally disruptive there are other ways to cause a problem and one of those is constantly fidgeting in their seats.

Of course when the child is moving around as often as some of them will, the standard school desks will constantly creak and crack and even screatch across the classroom floor from time to time. Parents of special needs children should work closely with the childâ€™s teachers to see what kind of solutions can be made to at the very least avoid as much noise as possible. One way to avoid the kind of creaking and cracking is to put a seat cushion down. A seat cushion that comes in the standard â€˜Oâ€ shape can actually help because the child will think they are getting quite a bit of motion while in fact they arenâ€™t moving that much.

Another technique that can be tried is to use a different kind of desk, one that is separate from the chair can work wonders in cutting down the noise because the one piece desks are notorious for creating more noise. Of course either one of these solves should only be used if the teacher and the schoolâ€™s administration is 100 percent on board with the idea. There are going to be students who will resent the student who gets a more comfortable or different seat and that may cause more problems for the teacher than the noise that the fidgeting was making.

Filed Under: Education, Specialty Schools, Students Tagged With: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Child, Classroom, Desk, Education, Parent, Student, Teacher

Learning Disabilities And Early Warnings

Part of the thing that makes diagnosing a learning disability such a complicated task is that from time to time, every child is going to have some problems learning a new subject and controlling their behavior. When a child is having problems learning on a consistent basis or is constantly acting out, that is when it is time to take a closer look and make sure the behavior isnâ€™t something else.

Thanks in large part to an organization called the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) there is a checklist that can be used to help parents decide if their child might have a learning disorder. Of course the thing to keep in mind even using a checklist like this is that this list is not the end all and the be all for determining the problem. Because learning disabilities are neurological in nature there is rarely one set of criteria that must be met in order to be diagnosed. A good rule of thumb when trying to diagnose this yourself is to be completely fair and honest when using the criteria such as â€œhas trouble evaluating personal social strengths and challengesâ€ and trying to realize how often that is really true.

The bottom line is that most of the criteria that are on the checklist can be symptoms of something much less severe than a learning disability and even if you feel as though you have found the source of your child’s problem you should have them see a professional therapist or evaluator. Seeing a professional will not only set your mind at ease as far as knowing for sure one way or the other, but it also provides an impartial judge on the situation. Frequently loses place while readingâ€ is just vague enough that your child could either be flighty, or could have a disorder. A professional will better be able to tell the difference.

Filed Under: Education, Specialty Schools Tagged With: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Child, Child and Adolescent, Disorders, Health, Learning Disabilities, Learning disability, Mental Health

Tips For Handling the Challenges of Teaching Learning Disabled Students

: Image via Wikipedia

Current laws dictate that while learning disabled students do have access to classes that are specifically tailored to their strengths and weaknesses, they must spend the maximum amount of time possible in regular classrooms alongside their peers. Therefore, anyone who is involved in education for the learning disabled is saddled with the responsibility to be sensitive to the unique needs of their learning disabled students without halting the class flow for the majority of students present.

Many learning disabled students have difficulty quickly transitioning from one task or the other. So, teachers often notice that it is helpful for students to have the assistance of an audio or visual aid to help signal when one task is complete and the next is beginning. This can be as simple as using a bell or kitchen timer to help the student learn to associate that stimulus with the fact that it is time to switch to another activity.

Also, much of education for the disabled involves the introduction of new material so that current skills can be expanded upon. However, many students get frustrated or nervous if they are taught too many new things at once. To compensate for this reality, many teachers find it helpful to introduce things gradually and in small segments. With this method, students are able to complete tasks that are simultaneously familiar, and new. It also allows students to feel successful when they are able to grasp the activities that they know well, and are less likely to feel overwhelmed by the new concepts. As the student begins to show understanding of the recently taught material, emphasis on the older, ingrained knowledge can be lessened.

Although education for the learning disabled requires a great deal of patience and creative thinking, it is very rewarding when learning begins to flourish.

Filed Under: Specialty Schools Tagged With: Disability, Education, Learning, Learning disability, Special education, Special needs, Student, Teacher

Tips For Helping Your Learning Disabled Child Conquer The Classroom

: Image via Wikipedia

Parents who have a learning disabled child may feel overwhelmed and stressed, especially in the period of time immediately following the diagnosis. However, there are several things that can be done to ensure that the learning disabled child is given every opportunity to succeed in the classroom alongside their peers.

Always remember that a diagnosis of a disability does not mean that your child does not have the same intellectual capacity as their classmates. Learning with a disability often simply means that concepts must be taught in an alternative way for best comprehension. Never underestimate your child’s abilities. When monitoring their progress, the only person you should be comparing them to is themselves. Resist the urge to compare them with their classmates.

Investigate to see if your hometown has any learning disability support groups for parents or children. These can often act as invaluable resources because they provide collective advice on common struggles and present options that you may not have considered yet on your own. Additionally, see if there are any other learning disabled students that would be willing to act as a mentor for your child. It is important for your child to be assured that their disability does not have to bring isolation with it. Often, interactions with a learning disabled student who is successful will be the most effective motivation for a fellow student, especially if they have just recently received their own learning disability diagnosis.

Finally, it is extremely important to be a constant and proactive force in your child’s educational experience. Find time to meet with teachers and discuss the learning process with them to ensure that your child is benefiting from their time in the classroom. It may be helpful to enlist the help of a tutor who is specially trained to teach children who are learning disabled.

Filed Under: ESE Classrooms, Specialty Schools Tagged With: Child, Classroom, Diagnosis, Disability, Education, Learning, Learning disability, Support group

Helping Your Disabled Child Succeed in the Classroom

: Image via Wikipedia

The classroom can be a challenging place for anyone, but especially for people with a disability. However, there are several things that can be done to help disabled people learn effectively to gain skills for a lifetime.

Parents play a definitive role in this process. As a parent, it is important to focus on presenting your child with mental and social ways to cope with their disability, rather than focusing on finding a cure or ignoring that the problem exists.

Encourage your child to discuss their disability openly with friends, family members and classmates. Children should not be made to feel that their disability keeps them segmented from their peers. Rather, they should be coached to adopt the attitude that everyone is presented with life challenges and must deal with them accordingly. Foster a feeling of empowerment that will help your child feel that they are adequately equipped to handle challenges on their own, or recruit help when necessary.

Discuss your child’s limitations with teachers and administrators. Stress to them the importance of your child being able to interact with their classmates as naturally as possible without feeling that their disability is holding them back.

If it becomes apparent that your child will need special accommodations to help them learn at the same level as their peers, be forthcoming with the request as soon as possible to avoid delays. You will find that you are your child’s own best advocate. Additionally, you have the benefit of first-hand experience with helping them manage their disability effectively. Although your child’s educators may not have the same experience with the challenges of learning with a disability, they should feel obliged to take your own observations into account.

Finally, attempt to adopt the attitude that your child does not have to feel limited by their classroom, either in the classroom or in life. Great things can be accomplished with the help of a support system.

Filed Under: Specialty Schools Tagged With: Classroom, Disability, Disabled, Education, Home, Learning disability, Special education, Student

The Three D’s of Learning Disabilities

: Image via Wikipedia

A child with a learning disability is not deficient in intelligence. These children have a neurological condition that causes them to process information differently than fellow students. Although many schools have programs that can assist a parent with a child’s disability, actual school curriculums are not designed to incorporate the needs of learners impacted by a learning disability. To ensure that your child is receiving the best education available it is important to become knowledgeable about learning disabilities.

Dyslexia is a learning disability that is well recognized by the general population. This condition impairs a person’s ability to read. Common characteristics of dyslexia include difficulty with phonics, spelling and verbal responses to visual material. Elementary school children who have problems learning the alphabet, rhyming and distinguishing between words with similar sounds may be showing symptoms of dyslexia.

Dyscalculia is a learning disability that is associated with mathematics. Individuals with dyscalculia are unable to perform math calculations and have difficulty remembering number facts. Symptoms of dyscalculia can include the inability to count change and problems with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Those diagnosed with dyscalculia may do well with solving problems that require logic but will not be able to work with problems that require a formula.

Dysgraphia is a disability that causes problems with writing. A person who suffers from dysgraphia may use a mixture of small and capital letters of irregular sizes and produce illegible writing. Many people with dysgraphia have a complain of pain when writing. A common solution for those who suffer from dysgraphia is to use a computer for writing.

Children with learning disabilities face the challenge of both learning and self esteem. Parents of the learning disabled must become proactive in identifying the programs available in thier school district that can address the needs of their child throughout the educational process.

Filed Under: Specialty Schools Tagged With: Child, Disability, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Education, Learning disability, Mathematics, Special education

Individuals with Disabilites Education Act

: Image via Wikipedia

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that was first enacted in 1990. This law ensures that children who have a disability are provided a public education that makes allowances and offers services for their specific disability. These special education services are designed to meet the needs of a child. Special education services may include instruction given individually or in small groups and modification of a child’s curriculum. To qualify for IDEA the child must meet the criteria in one of the qualifying disabilities.

The disabilities that qualify under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act include autism, mental retardation, blindness, emotional disturbance, speech and language impairments, orthopedic impairments, deafness or being hearing impaired and learning disabilities. IDEA entitles a child who is exhibiting symptoms of a disability to be tested at no cost to the parent. It it is determined that the child is disabled a Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be developed based on the needs for that disability. Students covered under an IEP will be re-evaluated every three years and the Individual Education Plan will be reviewed annually as a child transfers from one grade to the next.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act an educational plan designed to meet the specific needs of a student will be developed. A child will be provided with access to the general curriculum that will complement the unique process used for their schooling. These steps will be outlined in the IEP designed for the child. It is expected that the established plan will result in academic achievement for the disabled child. Additional services associated with IDEA that are available to the disabled are transportation and mobility assistance, physical therapy, therapeutic recreation and counseling services. It is important for parents to research the services that are available for their disabled child

Filed Under: Specialty Schools Tagged With: Child, Disability, Education, Free Appropriate Public Education, IEP, Individualized Education Program, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Special education

The Individualized Education Program

: Image via Wikipedia

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). An IEP will be used to establish a program designed to meet the needs of a disabled child during the educational process. The IEP allows a student to participate in a regular classroom environment when they are able to versus automatically being placed in full time special education classes or a special school. This process limits educational intervention in the specific areas that are identified as a disability which requires allowances.

A completed IEP will address the disabled child’s current performance and establish annual educational goals to include details regarding how the goals will be met. The program will outline the accommodations and services that will be provided by the school district. A schedule will identify when the services will begin, how long they will last and the location of the services if outside the school setting. Regular reports will be provided to the parent and if the student successfully completes the goals outlined in the Individualized Education Program they will receive an IEP diploma at the end of twelfth grade.

The development of an Individualized Education Program begins with a team meeting of the individuals involved in the education of a disabled child. Team members will include parents, both a special education teacher and a general classrooom teacher, a representative of the school district and an individual who is knowledgable of the child’s disability. The plan outlined by the team will address the academic, functional and development needs of the disabled student. For children with behavioral difficulties the plan will address the types of support that will be used to work through incidents related to behavior. Once the IEP had been developed and agreed upon it must be implemented immediately. The planning team will review progress annually and when deficiencies are noted the plan will be revised.

Filed Under: Specialty Schools Tagged With: Child, Disability, Education, Individualized Education Program, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, School district, Special education, Student

Discipline and the Disabled Child

: Image via Wikipedia

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) there are protections in place regarding discipline and the disabled child. These protections prevent school officials from using discipline to limit or block a disabled students education. Behavioral incidents that are not related to the disability are actions that will involve the same discipline that is required by school policy. If the behavior is directly related to the disability of a student there are specific procedures that must be followed.

A child with a disability cannot be suspended from school for more than ten days because it would be considered a change in placement under the Individualized Education Program (IEP) developed for the child. Prior to recommending a change in placement of a disabled student due to behavior issues, the IEP team must meet and determine if the infraction is related to the disability. Behavioral issues related to drugs or weapons can initiate a placement into an alternative school by the school authorities. Disruptive behavior which is a direct result of a students disability must be addressed by a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) which outlines the behavioral issues related to the disability. The BIP will outline how the behavioral problems will be addressed.

Disability related behavior problems can be disruptive to the classroom setting. Autistic children may disrupt with repetitive movement and those who have tourettes syndrom may make continuous sounds. Children with Attention Deficiet Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) will be unable to concentrate for long periods of time and may disrupt the class with outbursts. These behaviors are related to the disability and are not comparable to similar actions by non-disabled students. Support and partnership of parents and teachers are necessary for success. By remaining committed to the IEP developed for the student, the issues related to disability triggered behavior problems can be conquered.

Filed Under: Specialty Schools Tagged With: ADHD, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Child, Disability, Education, Individualized Education Program, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Student