Instructional Support for Students with Learning Disabilities
Giving the student more time.
I read with interest and intent the replies....
and after discussing tne rights and responsibilities of both students and teachers, all I can is always remember to:
TREAT EVERY STUDENT WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT
REACH OUT. HAVE A BUILT IN INSTRUCTIONAL AND PSCYOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT, CONNECT AND EXTEND A GENUINE CONCERN.
(State clearly your observations, "I've noticed that you've been absent from class lately, or I noticed that you looked tired, How are you doing?"
LISTEN. Never be judgmental about any issues raised by students, just listen and pay attention. I always emphatize with them as I do also was vulnerable and sensitive to real or imagined criticisms or words.
TRY TO NORMALIZE and calm the student. Support begins with our understanding and genuine sincerity and emphathy. When I sometimes feel hopeless as to how I can reach students, then I pray for guidance and intervention so I can say the right words to make them at peace atleast for that time.
RELATE YOUR PERSONAL ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES. I always relate and share my personal academic experiences as I had tremendous challenges when I was a student myself.
BE POSITIVE. I use direct or indirect counselling which I learned from my Guidance and Counselling courses. Being positive is a responsible thing to do, a sign of strength in reaching out to our students.
We do not need a masteral or doctoral degree to extend GENUINE BONDING AND CONCERN WITH STUDENTS, TO MAKE THEM FEEL THEIR WORTH, AND BE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR CAREER PATH.
I believe giving students that has learning disabilities more time will help them to render corerective assignments with all that is said its their support
What kind of instructional support is helpful to students with learning disabilities?
Try simplifying the subject matter for the student. Some personal instruction is always appreciated.
When helping in the area of Learning Disabilities you can get personal and more envolved than usual. Sometime it's a matter of displaced emotions to the past (e.g. "you ain't never gon be Nothing...").How do you suggest not getting to envolved and if it is emotional not get overwhelmed and trying to save someone? Can you keep it simple or is that almost impossible??
Hi Branetta!
Would you please share the specific visual aids that you use in helping students with learning disabilities? Always great to know what tools other instructors use.
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I have found patient, more time and visual aids in helping students with learning disabilities.
It is key to have patience and various ways to explain a topic that may be easy to you and other students. You have to put yourself in their shoes and understand that with the help they will be able to succeed.
The instructor needs to identify the area that the student is struggling with and then work with the student to find just what works for them. Be patient and the student will strive.
Greetings David!
How do you find out if a student needs special help?
I have great success with student mentors/study buddies if the pairing is carefully made.
Good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
MOST STUDENTS NEED A SOLID SUPPORT SYSTEM AND SOMEONE TO BELIEVE IN THEM. tHEY OFTEN TIMES HAVE NEVER BEEN GIVEN THE CREDIT THEY DESERVE AND WHEN THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE REWARDED--THEY STRIVE EVEN HARDER TO SUCCEED.
Patience, encouragement, and positive feedback are integral to keeping students with learning disabilities motivated. I had a student with a learning disbility. She had a very difficult time reading and writing, which severely affected her academic performance. The nursing program in which she was enrolled is accelerated, which did not provide the time she needed to succeed. She eventually got dropped from the program but plans on returning. I need to figure out a way to truly help this student. Any ideas?
Find out if any student needs special help and suggest tutoring if necessary before or after class.
Patience, efffective communication, along with feasible and realistic accomodations should provide students with learning disabiities a very good chance at a quality education. This type of instructional support can also benifit other learners as well as the facilitator.
I find that if I spend a bit of time getting to know the student, then I can help to provide the right accommodations. However, not all students are forthcoming with this information. It really helps if a student lets me know ahead of time. I can recall many times where my students have presented work that shows obvious reading and comprehension problems. Had I known from the beginning, we could have worked together to find solutions.
Giving individuals more time is important. Individuals with learning disabilities are already unsure about themselves. Therefore, when introducing new material could more anxiety. Thus, giving a student more time to complete assingments would ease that anxiety.
I agree with teh patience. I had a lady in my skills lab from Nigeria that I worked with a bit more then other students. She realy didn't have that much of a language issue as the speak the "Queen's English" but moer along the lines of application of the skills using the "American" lexicon. With patience and repetition she was able to master the skills.
Usually no specific information is given as to the specific learning disablity. Often the students don't discuss what they would need to succeed. (Only a listing of common supports are listed for instructors by the ADA office. So, the instructor doesn't know the type of disablity.)
