How the Universal Design model can serve all students

The Universal Design for Learning model can help teachers in both special and general education make their classrooms and curricula better for students with learning disabilities, writes Nina Parrish. She recommends planning lessons with all students in mind and giving students choices so they will take a more active role.   Edutopia online

Inequality leads to disability classification

More minority students are identified as having a learning disability because of socioeconomic disadvantages, according to a study by sociology professor Dara Shifrer at Portland State University. Instead of placing students in special education, Shifrer said students need improved access to quality early-education resources and teachers need better training on identifying learning disabilities.

U.S. News & World Report

Certificate program offers office skills

A Massachusetts community college has created a certification program for students with learning disabilities to teach them office, computer and business skills. Students in the program spend three days each week in the classroom and two days in internship programs.

Wicked Local/Westford, Mass.

How Homeschooling Can Work for Your Child with Learning Disabilities

When it comes to educating children with special needs, one size never fits all. Even when the diagnoses are the same, each child handles the struggle differently, responds differently, and learns differently because each has a unique learning and personality style. As you have likely experienced, public schools have a difficult time working with children who struggle with learning disabilities. All too often, these kids end up with lower self-esteem, issues with socialization, and a feeling of discouragement as they struggle to accomplish what they see their peers able to do with ease. … Read in browser »

Booklist: Am I the Only One with LD?

You know that you have trouble learning or paying attention. You might even have a fancy term to describe your problem, like dyslexia or ADHD. Why do you have trouble learning what most kids find so easy? Having a learning disability isn't fair! You might feel like you aren't smart or that other people don't like you. You might be hard on yourself. Coping with your learning disability is tough, but you don't have to go it alone. Read on and learn about how other kids are able to focus on the positive and recognize the great things about being themselves.  http://www.ldonline.org/kids/books/onlyone 

Experience What It Is Like to Have a Learning Disability

Understood.org has a collection of videos to help parents and teachers experience what it is like to have an educational challenge. It's one thing to read about learning and attention issues. It's another thing to see them through your child's eyes. Experience firsthand how frustrating it is when your hand won't write what your brain is telling it to. Or how hard it is to complete a simple task when you have trouble focusing. Use these unique simulations and videos to better understand your child's world. You can customize the experience based on your child's age and grade. Visit Understood.org to try on of the five simulations.  https://www.understood.org/en/tools/through-your-childs-eyes

National Center for Learning Disabilities Videos

The National Center has its own YouTube channel where you can watch videos when it is convenient for you. Topics include information on specific learning disabilities including dyslexia, ADHD, autism and dysgraphia. There are videos that discuss the IEP process and what to do when things are not working well. The channel has videos designed for family members, youth, and professionals. Most videos are under five minutes in length. NCLD's YouTube channel here. 

One child in five has learning and attention issues. It's one thing to read about these challenges. It's another to experience them.  Through Your Child's Eyes is a one-of-a-kind tool. Its videos and simulations allow you to experience what it's like for your students to struggle with reading, writing, math, organization or focus.

Can you filter out the distractions to complete the puzzle? Can you unscramble the letters in time to decode the message? Hear stories from children and find out from experts why these tasks can be so challenging for some kids. And learn strategies to help your students thrive.

Create your personalized experience on Understood.org now >

Groundbreaking Resource for Parents of Kids with Learning & Attention Issues

Introducing Understood.org, a new online destination for parents of kids ages 3-20 with learning and attention issues. Access to the entire site is available free of cost. Parents get secure access to personalized support, the wisdom of other parents, & expert information about the "what is" & the "how to" of their kids' academic, social & emotional needs.

This resource helps parents understand what they can do to support their children at home and in school. All resources offered in English and Spanish. Understood offers:

• Personalized recommendations for content, tools and technology matched to the child's needs
• Practical advice to help navigate common behavior challenges
• The opportunity to talk live with experts in learning and attention issues -- every day!
• And that's just the beginning!

Boosting Vocab with Word Maps

 

Semantic maps (or graphic organizers) are maps or webs of words. Maps can visually display the meaning-based connections between a word or phrase and a set of related words or concepts. Semantic maps help students — especially struggling students and those with disabilities — to identify, understand and recall the meaning of words they read in the text. Get the step-by-step on using semantic maps, how to integrate technology into the strategy, and a sample lesson.  http://www.ldonline.org/article/Connecting_Word_Meanings_Through_Semantic_Mapping

The State of Learning Disabilities 2014

This updated and expanded third edition from the National Center for Learning Disabilities captures data about the 5 percent of our nation's school-age population whose learning disabilities (LD) have been formally identified, and provides a critical lens through which to understand and address the needs of the additional 15 percent or more of students with unidentified and unaddressed learning and attention issues. It tells a story about the realities of LD in society today. New to this edition are sections about public perceptions of learning and attention issues as well as discussion of the impact of LD on post-secondary education and employment. http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/what-is-ld/state-of-learning-disabilities#READ

Facilitating Success for Students with Language-Based Learning Disabilities

 

Research indicates that success for students with learning differences and disabilities depends on an effective program for academic success and also on developing positive social and emotional environments both at home and in school. Learn more about the principles of success from one successful school for students with LD.   http://www.ldonline.org/article/56112

Expert Advice: My daughter has trouble comprehending written questions on tests. What should I do to help?

 from LD OnLine

Question: My 12th grade daughter has been diagnosed with ADHD, slow processing, and executive function disorders. Her biggest problem is that she continually misinterprets written questions, especially on tests, which she typically fails. Do you know what causes this and how to remedy the problem? She is failing most her classes because of failing the tests.

Answer: Many students with executive function disorder also have learning disabilities related to this disorder. Such disabilities might include a "reading fluency" or a "writing fluency" problem. 

 

 

Website helps doctors discuss learning disabilities

Doctors, parents and others have a new online resource to help them discuss learning disabilities. The LD Navigator -- recently launched by The National Center for Learning Disabilities -- provides resources, such as informational handouts, that doctors can share with parents and use to guide conversations about referrals, evaluation and screening. Education Week/On Special Education blog (7/15)   http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2013/07/online_tool_helps_doctors_enga.html

How cognitive-skills training can help close the achievement gap

While there is some debate about the role of cognitive-skills training in education, recent research conducted by early-childhood education researcher Sarah Avtzon shows such training may help close the achievement gap for students with learning disabilities. In this blog post, Avtzon highlights findings from a recent study of 40 elementary-school students with specific learning disabilities "Implications from these results include that training of cognitive processes for students with learning disabilities can result in significant academic performance," she writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (6/6) http://smartblogs.com/education/2013/06/06/closing-the-achievement-gap-for-students-with-learning-disabilities/

Review looks at underlying causes of learning disabilities

U.K. researchers found that learning disabilities can co-occur far more often than expected and are the result of abnormal brain development caused by complex genetic and environmental factors. Of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, 33% to 45% have dyslexia and 11% have dyscalculia, according to the review in the journal Science. HealthDay News (4/19)  http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=675584

Ad - Read&Write GOLD Text-to-Speech Literacy Support Can Help!

The award-winning literacy software solution for those with learning disabilities such as Dyslexia or Dysgraphia, or reading and writing difficulties. Read&Write GOLD includes support tools for reading, writing, studying, and research. Get a FREE 30-day trial today and see for yourself how Read&Write GOLD can help your students succeed!  http://www.texthelp.com/north-america/campaigns/cec

Hispanic children with autism more likely to have learning, speech problems

Hispanic children diagnosed with autism had an almost twofold increased risk of having a learning disability or speech disorder than other patients, a study showed. Researchers noted that anxiety disorders were more prevalent among white children compared with blacks. The findings were presented at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry meeting. Family Practice News (12/14) http://ocreg.imngmedicalmedia.com/onecount/login/loginlogout.cgi?return=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.familypracticenews.com%2Fsingle-view%2Fcomorbidities-might-mask-autism-in-hispanics%2F1d3cc4f6eddcd766539a9594c94735fe.html&gid=39

Will emphasis on exams harm students w/ learning disabilities?

A British advocacy group for students with dyslexia and other learning challenges is questioning a plan to increase focus on testing in the country's schools. "These plans, should they be implemented, will create an additional barrier for dyslexic students to continue on to higher education. Coursework is generally a much fairer method of assessment and constitutes a reasonable adjustment for these students," said Kate Saunders, chief executive of the British Dyslexia Association. The Guardian (London) (9/18)  http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/sep/18/ebacc-marginalise-pupils-dyslexia

Early exposure to anesthesia may be linked to learning problems

Children who received anesthesia before age 3 had a higher risk of showing symptoms of language and reasoning problems at age 10 than children who hadn't needed anesthesia, an Australian study found. However, it remains uncertain if anesthesia is the culprit behind the learning problems, researchers wrote in the journal Pediatrics. Reuters (8/20)   http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/20/us-early-anesthesia-idUSBRE87J0IT20120820