Learning Disability | ESE Education

The Problems of Dyslexia

December 11, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

One of the learning disabilities that Americans are most familiar with is Dyslexia. For whatever reason this particular disorder seems to have gone mainstream much easier than some of the other disorders that are still not diagnosed or not believed when they are diagnosed. Still, recognizing the term Dyslexia does not mean that people have the first clue about what the disability really is and part of the reason for that is because it can manifest in so many different ways.

Of course the way we usually think of dyslexia is that the people who are afflicted with it simply read words differently. Most people know that from time to time a dyslexic will straight up reverse a word, meaning that tip if now fit in their minds, or God is dog. These are the usual understandings people have with Dyslexia and what they fail to understand is that Dyslexics rarely realize that they are the only ones who see the world that way.

Dyslexia is not a matter of being stupid the way some of people view it. Dyslexia is in fact not tied to IQ at all and the way you can tell that is the number of incredibly intelligent people who have come out in the last few years to let the world know that they have this disorder. The funny thing about dyslexia is that the brain fools you into thinking that it is everyone else who simply is seeing or writing or doing something that are completely contrary to common sense. There was one case where a child could not read the silent â€œeâ€ in words, meaning that bite now looked like bit and she simply could not understand how anyone else was seeing the difference. This may seem almost like a comical problem until you realize that the girl had no idea she had a problem, until she was finally diagnosed.

Filed Under: Education, ESE Classrooms Tagged With: Dyslexia, Education, Intelligence quotient, Learning Disabilities, Learning disability, Reading (process), Special education, Understanding

Poor Forms Of Discipline With ESE Students

December 8, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

In the current climate in this country and with a rash of violence popping up in schools across the country it seems that more and more school districts are adopting what is called the zero tolerance policy when it comes to disciplining students. While at times it may seem like taking this approach is taking an active role in making sure that students in the entire are being protected, the reality is that some students are going to get cast as the ones who deserve no tolerance when they actually need more than the norm.

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) qualified students will often appear as massive trouble makers to those who do not understand the kind of learning disabilities these children have come down with. It is even worse when ESE eligible students have not yet been diagnosed with a treatable learning disability and everyone including the child’s family just thinks they are either bad seeds or incorrigible. These types of students are usually the ones who are singled out and pointed to when school boards argue that they need the no tolerance policies in place in the first place when they should be taken aside and taught how to behave and how to handle themselves in the classroom.

ESE students are not the lost cause so many schools have suddenly decided they are, but treatment for the various learning disabilities they may be diagnosed with can be expensive and the funds for continuing to educate them in a totally different way than the rest of their class can sometimes be hard to come by. So instead the school district decides that these are the kind of kids who must be expunged from the rolls and they are left to fend for themselves in a world they aren’t fully equipped to deal with. Zero tolerance policies do fewer people less good than their brochures trumpet.

Filed Under: Education, ESE Classrooms, Students Tagged With: Disability, Education, Learning Disabilities, Learning disability, School district, Special education, Student, Zero tolerance (schools)

Diagnosing Dyslexia In a Young Child

December 5, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Arriving at a diagnosis for a learning disability like dyslexia is never easy. There are many different problems that could be leading to the child’s underperforming at their grade level and rarely does a school, a teacher, or a parent want to hand a stigma like a learning disorder over to a child. Few people realize just how liberating being diagnosed with a disease that is every bit as treatable as a real virus can be. Once the child and its parents know what the problem is the long journey of treatment can begin. It is at this point that everyone involved will admit they can actually see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Diagnosing dyslexia in children from kindergarten until about fourth grade can actually be a fairly simply process of noticing when the child is having an especially hard time with one task or another. For the most part, younger children’s symptoms will actually pop up as a bit more obvious because everyone is just learning how to do, say, write and read new words. When one child is lagging behind all the others in the first couple of years of their education, it becomes a little clearer where the problem lies. For most kids in this age group, there are some specific symptoms to look out for. In the area of mathematics, one of the bigger signs that there may be a problem beyond lack of interest is when a child is constantly confusing the various symbols (+, -, =, x, /). In the area of reading and writing the problem will usually present itself as a juxtaposition of certain letters and words. The letter “m” might often be confused for “w” or the word “pot” might be used when the child meant to write “top.” Of course in order for any of these to count as symptoms there has to be a pattern emerging.

Filed Under: Education, Students Tagged With: Child, Dyslexia, Education, Learning Disabilities, Learning disability, Reading, Special education, Whoopi Goldberg

Dealing With Dyslexia

December 4, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

One of the most common and recognized learning disability among the general population is dyslexia. While 30 to 40 years ago people with dyslexia were simply dismissed as being stupider than their peers, we now understand that intellect has absolutely nothing to do with it. Dyslexia is simply a condition in which the brain filters information such as how words are spelled in a completely different way than the norm. Millions upon millions of children are diagnosed with Dyslexia every year and despite all we know about the affliction it can still be hard to understand it and to really tell when it is present.

There are several warning signs that should be able to tip parents and teachers off about a student and whether or not they are dyslexic. Of course like every disability in this area it pays not to rush to judgment, but rather make sure that the child truly has a disability. Sometimes a student may actually just be taking longer to grasp something than the others, only to catch up later on in life. When looking for the most common signs of dyslexia in kindergartners to fourth graders there are a couple of general signs. If the child reverses the directions of certain letters on a consistent basis, such as substituting â€œbâ€ for â€œdâ€, â€œbogâ€ instead of â€œdogâ€ for instance, that could be a signal. Entire reversals of words can be another sign, in other word if the child is consistently writing top instead of pot warning bells should be going off.

In older students it can be even more difficult to diagnose because at this point they may simply have gotten used to struggling. This is where a great deal of students simply give up thanks to a lack of understanding or help from their teachers or parents.

Filed Under: Education, Students Tagged With: Child, Disability, Dyslexia, Education, Learning Disabilities, Learning disability, Special education, Student

Coping With A Learning Disability

December 3, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

When a student is first diagnosed with a learning disability there are two ways the reaction can usually go. The first is complete and total shock by the family (this is usually couple with denial), and the second is relief and complete acceptance. How the family reacts may seem to be a way to tell just how involved a certain family group is but that is not always the case either. Some families are just better equipped to handle the news that their child has a learning disability than others. Sometimes this is because of the fact that the child may not have been as adversely affected as others and therefore was able to still turn in good grades and modulate his outward behavior enough that no one was really onto him or her. There are of course instances where the learning disability was totally obvious and the family knew there had to be something more wrong than a simple bad attitude.

Once the news of a learning disability has settled in and is no longer brand new the next step is to decide what to do about it. For most families it is helpful to realize that children, to a large degree are incredibly resilient. This means that children, even more than adults are built to overcome challenges like this. Resiliency is the top trait to have if the child truly wants to deal with and overcome the problem. There are treatments out there for almost any type of learning disability but the only way any of the treatments will work is if the child and its parents practice resiliency. There is no quick, automatic fix to this particular set of problems but with hard work and a keen focus there is a long term solution to the problem.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Child, Disability, Disorders, Family, Health, Learning disability, Mental Health

Learning Disabilities And Early Warnings

December 2, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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

What Is A Learning Disability?

December 1, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

While some people may believe that learning disabilities is really just a fancy word for a student who either does not want to be in school or just do not really want to spend any time learning. While this has been proven to simply not be the case the assertions are still often thrown around whenever a student is having problems with a class or with many classes. Of course part of the problem is that learning disabilities can be self defeating.

These are not disabilities that pop up like some other disease. You donâ€™t suddenly develop a rash or hives when you are dyslexic. You do not come down with a wracking cough if you have Attention Deficit Disorder. These types of problems only really manifest when the student is in the right setting and that setting is more often than not when they are in the classroom. The students themselves have no idea why all of the sudden they arenâ€™t understanding the subject as well as the rest of the class does and because of this they tend to get either dejected or angry. Anger can lead to acting out and acting out can lead to teachers and school administrators thinking the child has no interest in learning.

But a learning disability is not a lack of interest. Learning disabilities are neurological disorders that affect a portion of the brain and do so absolutely without the consent of those affected. A learning disorder can affect each student in a slightly different way as it can manifest in the way a student hears something, reads something, writes something and some learning disabilities are so harmful that it literally changes the way a child processes speech. Because of this a child can literally have no idea they are having the kinds of problems they are. Having a parent or teacher get mad at them for it only makes the problem worse.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Disability, Disorders, Health, Learning Disabilities, Learning disability, Mental Health, Student

Tips For Handling the Challenges of Teaching Learning Disabled Students

November 29, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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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

November 22, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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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

November 19, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

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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