James Churchill
Learning Disabilities (LD) - Chapter 5
1. The IDEA (federal) definition of a learning disability is:
(30) Specific learning disability.-(A) In general.--The term `specific learning disability' means a disorder in 1 or more of the
basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or
written, which disorder may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak,
read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations.
(B) Disorders included.--Such term includes such conditions as perceptual disabilities, brain
injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia.
(C) Disorders not included.--Such term does not include a learning problem that is primarily
the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of mental retardation, of emotional
disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.
2. Characteristics of a Specific Learning Disability are identified and explained as:
Specific Learning Disabilities are when a student has a difference between their general
ability, and their level of achievement: the student does worse academically than their
intillectual ability would imply.
3. Explain the identification and assessment process for determining eligibility of LD
Using the RTI method of identification, students are all tracked to ensure all
students are meeting the universal expectations. If a student seems to be struggling, the
instructor tries some different strategies, eventually the student may be pulled out to get
additional help in the subject area, if the student continues to struggle in identifyable
ways, they could be eligable to be assessed for a potential disability: the assessments vary
for each different potential disability.
Daily Measurement
Primary/seconday/tertiary
4. Research-based educational approaches that are most beneficial for students with learning
disabilities include:
Graphic organizers, note-taking strategies, mnemonics,
5. Find a peer-reviewed or evidence-based article regarding students with learning disabilities
as it relates to your major (early childhood, secondary education, therapeutic recreation, and/or
instructional strategies). ** READ the article and highlight critical/interesting information to
share with class. Attach the complete article with highlights of what you found important or
interesting. Upload the article to TRACS Drop Box.
6. Provide the article citation in APA format and a brief 2-3sentence summary.
Berninger, V., Lee, Y., Abbott, R., & Breznitz, Z. (2013). Teaching children with dyslexia to spell in a reading-writers'
workshop. Annals Of Dyslexia, 63(1), 1-24. doi:10.1007/s11881-0110054-0
WRITE THE SUMMARY
Early intervention absolutely helps people with Dyslexia. That said, theres not nearly enough
research to confidently state the best possiblee course of action. Different approaches to build the
students a strong foundation need to be tried so we can find what course of action helps the most
students.
7. Provide information about a local Texas agency available to assist teachers, students, or
families who are dealing with a learning disability:
(a) What is the name of the agency
The Texas Center for Learning Disabilities (TCLD)
(b) What service(s) do they provide
A couple videos and research links for Parents, Lesson plans + professional devlopment
for teachers
(c) List the physical location and contact (phone) information
College of Education SZB 228 The University of Texas at Austin 1912 Speedway D4900
Austin TX 78712-1284
Phone (512) 232-2320
(d) Provide a website
http://www.texasldcenter.org/
8. National Organizations are available for Parents & Teachers
(a) Parents
Provide the name, website link, & supports available
Learning Disabilities Association of America: http://ldaamerica.org/parents/
TONS of good starting points for further research into all sorts of different LD
(e) Educators
Provide the organization name, website link, & supports available
National Association of Special Education Teachers: https://www.naset.org/ tons of
resources for learning about or working with different types of students
9. Find 3 separate Website with helpful academic information for students with disabilities:
1. Parents
http://www.smartkidswithld.org/
2. Teachers
https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/instructionalstrategies
3. Youth
http://www.washington.edu/doit/academic-accommodations-students-learning-disabilities
(#8 should not be the same as #9)
10. Find and share a fact about students with Learning Disabilities in other countries. For
example:
Are LDs recognized? Are students with LD served in segregated or inclusive schools? How
do
families deal with the knowledge their child has a learning challenge?
I chose Switzerland as my country to look into: their prison system seems more rehabilitationfocued than punishment-focused, so I was curious to see if the same level of attention was given
to special needs students.
https://www.european-agency.org/country-information/switzerland/national-overview/specialneeds-education-within-the-education-system
Based on whatt I looked into, LDs are absolutely recognized, and the Swiss use botth segregated
and inclusive schools depending on thee severity of the disability. That said, it seems like there is
complusory early-intervention aid, and childhood intervention seems to be more family-focused
rather than the result of the school.
It also seems like there is a large support system in place for these families, and they find out
about potential LDs before they become a problem at the school. It does seem like integration is
a relatively recent trend in Switzerland.
I couldnt find a strong piece of information that would tell me how exactly people react to being
told their child has an LD, but it looks like any services the child may require would be covered
by insurance, so it seems like it may not be something that destroys families there.
