Strategies for Working with Students with Learning Disabilities
In the past, when working with students with learning disabilities, I have found that taking time to understand the student's needs is important. As this course pointed out, rephrasing and repeating information is important, and sometimes saying the same thing in more than one way with concrete examples also helps. If support is not available through the college, then recommending resources for the student is also helpful.
Hi Timothy and Chris!
Very thoughtful, considerate approach to all students. I always worry that the "normal" student will be left out - so I really like this.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
What are some methods that have been successful for you in working with students with learning disabilities?
Chris I think Iiwill try this as well.Thanks.
I agree as well. I think it is important to stress the fact that you are willing to put in the extra time and give the student the help they need to be successful.
My daughter has a learning disability; therefore we would traing her to recognize letters by forming them out of clay and tracing the lettrs with her fingers. Now an adult, she is able to complete reading assignments more swiftly and accurately.
Some successful strategies are to increase time to finish assignments and also to reduce the amount of questions or multiple choice answers on a test.
Great insight for a new instructor!
I find it helpful to see their actual IEP from high school. It does not take long to make the accomadations that are needed. At this level the only accomadation that I will not meet is cutting down the amount of assignments. I don't feel that this is beneficial to their learning at this level. When they go into the work world they need to have the same background knowledge as every other student.
Since I teach a night class I have the test as a ticket out of class and as each student finishes they may leave for the night. This allows students that need extra time to have it while the whole class is not aware of how long it takes each person. For many students extended time is needed not only for the student with a documented learning disability. Many older students in the classroom made it through high school with out any added support. This is largely due to the fact that special education has greatly changed over the years. 20 years ago school district did not offer learning support classrooms. Special ed classes were all pull out. Students would rather struggle then be pulled away from the whole group.
Any good teacher makes accomadations for all students based on their individual needs.
Inform yourself on exactly what their disabilitiy is, and what learning abilities can be used with their perticular problems.
Hi Daniel!
Affording students with more time is definitely something that helps. I really like having student mentors. Of course, it has to work for both students. When it works, mentoring is very worthwhile.
Golod job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
What seems to work is to provide the students with learning disabilities more time. I would also check with them at the beginning and end of the class to find out if they had any questions or anything they did not completely understand from the content covered in class.
Great approach Jeff!
It seems to me this helps someone dyslexic not to have to focus some much on the challenge. The larger image transfer from paper to brain more easily.
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
When I was faced with a dyslexic student I found that giving him notes that are in a large font and double spaced. It proved to be very effective.
I agree with this. The more responses I read it seems that additional time is most important
I think support and additional time work wonders. Also to let them know that this disability they have does not mean that they are alone and it does not have to keep them from achieving their dream.
I have giving extra time and work and the learning center are always a big help.
Saving some time to talk and help them with their work making sure they have a clear understanding of the lesson.
Hi Donna!
Great idea! Can students use a recorder in your class? I've found that to be very helpful for some students.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
