Learning Disabilities - Dr. Eric Taclawan
Learning Disabilities - Dr. Eric Taclawan
Learning Disabilities - Dr. Eric Taclawan
DISABILITIES
Dr. Eric Taclawan
Learning Disability
includes
Average or above
average intellectual
capacity
A significant and
unexplained discrepancy
between achievement
and expected potential
Learning
Disability Is Not
The Same As
Intellectual
Disability Or
Emotional
LD does not
include problems
primarily due to
visual, hearing, or
motor disabilities
LD is NOT ADHD
Although 1/3 of
individual with LD
also have ADHD
In other words...LD
means having trouble
Processing
information
Organizing
information
Applying information
NO real causes
Might be caused by:
Hereditary
Teratogenic
Medical
Environmental
Listening
Spelling
Speaking Reasoning
Mathemati
Reading
cs
Writing
Types of Learning
Disabilities
Dyslexia
Area of Difficulty: Processing
Language
Symptoms: Reading, Writing,
Spelling
Example
Confusing letter names and sounds
Difficulties blending sound into
words
Slow rate of reading
Dyscalculia
Area of Difficulty: Math Skills
Symptoms: Computation,
remembering math facts,
concepts of time an money
Example
Difficulty learning to count by 2s,
3s, and 4s
Poor mental math skills
Problems with special directions
Dysgraphia
Area of Difficulty: written
expression
Symptoms: handwriting, spelling,
composition
Example
Illegible handwriting
Difficulty organizing ideas for
writing
Dyspraxia
Area of Difficulty: Fine motor
skills
Symptoms: coordination,
manual dexterity
Example:
Trouble with scissors, buttons,
drawings
Information Processing
Disorder
Auditory Processing Disorder
Difficulty interpreting auditory
information
Trouble with language
development, reading
Difficulty anticipating how a
speaker will end a sentence
Visual Processing
Disorder
Difficulty interpreting
visual information
Trouble with reading,
writing, and math
Difficulty distinguishing
letters like h and n
Preschool
Problems pronouncing
words?
Difficulty finding the
right word?
Difficulty making
rhymes?
Trouble learning
numbers, alphabet,
days of the week,
colors and shapes?
Trouble
concentrating?
Trouble interacting
Difficulty following
directions or learning
routines?
Difficulty controlling
pencil, crayons,
scissors?
Difficulty with buttoning,
zipping, tying skills?
Often uses an
awkward pencil grip
(fist, thumb hooked
over fingers, etc.).
May have poor "fine
motor" coordination.
INSTRUCTIONAL IDEAS
Teachers should:
Supporting learning with
visuals
Stressing step-by-step
instructions
Avoid confusing or
complicated language
and/or consider a substitute
exam/assessment.
Allow student extra time to
complete
exams/assignments,
especially if there are
unique demands regarding
reading and writing skills.
Learning disabilities
can be lifelong
conditions