Strategies for Working with Students with Learning Disabilities
What are some methods that have been successful for you in working with students with learning disabilities?
In one instance we provided a verbal exam for the student.
The most challenging for me so far has been dyslexia. We simply read to them and let them take more time on tests
I had a student with dyslexia. She came to me at the beginning of the course and told me what she needed. I tried giving her test questions with a box drawn around them and she said that it really helped her to focus.
David ,
yes, using their peers to help them is a great way to help struggling learners.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Jeff,
yes, this is a great technique or along with this another idea is to set concepts off with boxes or bolds, etc.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Allowing the students to take more time with their written assignments. As well as also sometimes including fellow students to help them in their note taking.
Early in my teaching career I had a student who could answer any question verbally in class was a very good hands-on tech, but couldn't pass a test. I asked a special education teacher I knew if they could suggest anything. She suggested covering all but one question with blank sheets of paper so that the student could concentrate on one question at a time. It was one of the best pieces of advice I ever got! The student's test scores improved drastically!
I have had students to come to me about their disability and I was able to give them their work in advance before giving it to the entire class and that kept them on track with the class
Peggy,
definitely true. If it worked for them in the past it will most likely work for them now.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
The greatest strategy for working with students with learning disabilities is talking with each and finding out what works for them. This helps in the current situation as well as ideas or other students who encounter the same issues.
I personally have not worked with students with disabilities, but as a parent to one with ADHD, it was very helpful to know that the school was attentive to our dilemma and helped with the success of my child's needs.
I give positive feedback for any accomplishment, no matter how small I may think it is. For that student, it may be a much bigger deal. I see how this provides the motivation for them to work even harder and move on to the next goal.
I think we need to remind them that everyone has to overcome different "issues" on their way of becoming successful…. and show our support.
Susan,
this is an excellent example of being willing to help the students in any way you can.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
allowing more time to complete the assignments
If I notice a possible problem with a student, I will talk to them about it to see what has worked for them in the past. Maybe it is giving them more time on an assignment/exam, maybe it is giving more examples, having them explain back the topic to me to check for understanding, giving them study tools, reading out loud or reading the questions to them.
At my school I have students for 5 hours/day. Obviously, this means scheduled breaks every hour or so. When I have someone in class who needs extra time taking tests, I plan the test leading up to a break so that they can work through their break time, if necessary, to finish.
Try kinesthetic learning. Draw out pathways on the pavement, walk through them. Use lots of shapes and colors. Record lectures, replay them......several times.
Working with students with learning disability is very challenging. You must extremely very patient with them, take time to help them & let they know you care for them, motivate them by telling them how good and smart they are. All they need to do is try a little harder and harder, so when they see some improvement, they'll continue to learn by themselves until they can stand own they own two feet. That is instructor big reward.
