Encouraging Your Child to Succeed Identifying the signs of learning disabilities and creating a plan for success

Kathryn Jens Ph.D.Erica Adamiak M.A.

There are all types of disabilities

What is a learning disability?

0 It has had different terms over the years.0 Typically 10-15% of the student

population have a learning disability. 0 Typically it’s someone with average to

above average intelligence.0 Students have difficulties in receiving,

processing, storing, responding to, and communicating, information that gets in their way and almost masks their intelligence at times.

0 Cognitive weaknesses are typically coupled with academic areas of weaknesses.

What are the warning signs?

0Struggling with friendships0Depression/anxiety0Hours on homework0Disorganization0Afraid of disappointing others0Frustrating others (teachers and

parents)

Warning signs in the classroom

• Organization• Confusion with directions/instructions• Misreading information • Look noncompliant • Struggling to stay on task, attention to

details, abstract concepts, and slow work pace

0 Understand the disability in common language 0 Support groups SEAC0 Promote positive peer relationships for child0 Promote role models0 Promote open communication with school0 Set limits on homework time0 Scaffold organization 0 Know accommodations/modifications0 Model advocacy

What can parents do?

How do students address their disability with their

friends? 0 Know the common language of their

disability0 Advocate their needs 0 Share that they just learn “differently”

What will the school do to support?

IEP Case Manager

• Customized to meet the needs of every child.

• Reviewed annually/Eligibility every three years

• Signature Page• Present levels of Progress• Eligibility? • Determine classroom

accommodations• Services• Goals

• Manage paperwork

• Monitor goals• Advocate • Provide communication

Tiers of Intervention

Universal LevelGeneral Education

Targeted

Intensive

What will the school do to support?

*Based on individual needsAccommodations0 Alterations in the way that tasks are

presented that allow students to complete the same assignments.

0 Examples: audio tape, preferential seating, small group, extended time, assisted technology, frequent breaks

Modifications0 Alterations in the curriculum and

content that do not require the students to complete the same assignments.

0 Examples: Modified grading scale, altered multiple choice test, reworded questions, word banks, alternative books/materials for topics

Differentiation 0Content (teachers differentiate content by what the students

learn as well as the materials, could occur through books on tape, readiness verses grade-level)

0Process (whole group, small groups, pairing, centers, personal agendas)

0Product (informal, formal assessments, rubrics, flexibility)

0Learning environment (quiet, set up of materials, structure, guidelines, different ways to ask for help)

AdvocatingWorking as a team with parent, student, and teachers.