Most Common Form of Learning Disability
Dyslexia is one learning disability that a few of my students have had. These students have a hard time reading and it shows up in their written quizes.
What is the most common form of learning disability that you encounter in your classes? What are the characteristics?
The most common form that I have encountered are those with comprehension issues. They usually require that the information be read to them and they ask for additional time to complete exams.
Students often have learning disabilities associated with reading. This is usually addressed by giving the student more time on tests.
Yes, direct-translations are often unlikely since culture dictates meanings in large part. To help my students, I learn about cultural norms often and am learning parts of 2 other languages (than English) to remind myself of this cultural diversity.
Anxiety and English are the two most common obstacles I have found.
While I agree that many students might try to use LDs as a way to shirk work, I disagree about dyslexic students not putting in extra effort - they put in far more to make the work comprehensible. The problem is the manner in which the material is often presented. Most books are available or can be made available as audio files (the society for the blind as dyslexic does provide this service) and this can be a better way to get the information across. It also takes more effort, and consequently much longer to literally read.
Another issue is the the label associated with them. They may have been relegated to the 'special ed' classes, which often don't address their LDs, and so suffer from esteem issues, and the fact that most teachers don't understand the differences between the various LDs and other impairments.
As an aside, my son recently graduated with honors from top liberal arts college, essentially in critical theory (Nietzche, Derrida, Zizak etc.) He is acutely dyslexic.
The most common form of learning disability I have had in my class was Dyscalculia. I struggled to cope with this student trying to learn basic math. I used checkers, toothpicks, real coins, and even allowed the use of a calculator. During the entire school year course the student made no progress and it was a daily frustration to see him muddle his way through the class period. Ten years later the student is about to graduate a local technical school, but had to take Math 102 three times before he passed it with a 'C'. At one point I thought I was a failure as a teacher, but with more information I realized that this learning disability will not go away. The saddest thing about the disability is the young man is aware of it and goes about his daily activities staying clear of all mathematical encounters. Cash registers, on his job, balancing his checkbook, and even playing Monopoly with the family. He young man is my son.
My class also is more hands on practice of subjects reviewed in class. I feel the students do better remembering the material after we practice it. Just lecturing doesn't work with alot of students.
ADD seems to be the most common in my classroom. Students seem to be distracted very easily by everything around them. This could be someone walking down to hallway to a cell phone vibrating.
I mostly experience ESL, ADHD and dyslexia as the big issues.
ESL students have the hardest time of it I believe because the other two have usually developed effective strategies for overcoming those issues and will present me with them. The ESL students however usually don't have effective strategies, so they require more time and patience on my behalf. When introducing new words or phrases I typically stop for a moment to focus on them and try to simplify the terms to a very basic level. Surprisingly enough this almost always has the side effect of helping everyone else too.
Often times it is a language barrier, students that have had to learn english, I see that many times english words will not always translate into their language and back properly.
The most frequently seen is ESL...Alot of times I find that the students are struggling by watching facial expressions and body language...I then have to make adjustments in the way the material is presented...
I agree that it is difficult to distinguish the difference between students who legitimately need accommodations and those who use diagnoses like ADD/ADHD as an excuse to be lazy or submit shoddy work. Most of the time, I have found that adult students have already created stategies that helps them be successful. Thus when I ask students if they have strategies in place, it is usually only the ones who respond negatively that are trying to take advantage of the system.
i too have that issue. It makes it hard for the entire class also
This seems to be my most common problem as well. Other issues that occasionally occur are dyslexia and ADHD. Dyslexics frequently have learned to compensate and effectively handle their disability. ADHD students often benefit from sitting at the back of the class so that they can stand up several times throughout the lecture. This activity seems to help them refocus and calm the hyperactivity.
English as a second language. ALSO, not understanding medical terms. They do not do well on written assignments.
I rarely recognize a learning disability with my students, but recognize other issues with math. Often a fear of math is communicated, and I adjust the assignments, and assessments to make sure they are successful.
I think by far the most common form of learning disability I have encountered is not being able to read, write and spell. In a college class not having an ability to read or write can be a tremendous handycap.
The most common form I have come across is dyslexia, which has been is both the language and mathematical form. It creates quite a challenge for both the student and myself, but
tapping into what has worked in the past for that student is extremely helpful.
