Students with Learning Disabilities Are NOT Dumb!
As a certified teacher from Pennsylvania and a mother of a student who was diagnosed with an auditory memory learning disability. I can tell you from personal experience that many factors can be attributed to how well students perform in the classroom. It is the teacher primary objective to ensure that everyone student in the classroom has an equal chance to learn and achieve the lesson's learning objectives. By the way, I am so proud of my daughter because she is now a teacher and has overcome her own disabilities and is actually certified to teach learning disabled children!
Robert,
this is an excellent way to set the stage for all of your students so they feel comfortable coming to you if they have struggles of any kind.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have always honored any accommodations provided to our students and treat them as I would any other student.
I advise my classes that we will work toegther to make sure the subject matter is fully understood prior to them leaving.
Tutoring is a big help to many with our without a leaning disability.
I agree - they are not dumb - they just have to develop a method that works for them to get and retain the concepts and skills.
Sarah,
excellent point! The more we treat these students as intelligent & respect them, typically the harder they will work & see success.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
The way the nerves fire in the brain can cause some people to have learning disabilities, but they still are able to recall the information with a little more time allowed. I have know many people with this disability and have been extremely intelligent. So it is important to not judge or get frusterated with these individuals.
Tara,
excellent point made here that we often overlook: a learning disability does not mean that a student is dumb or incapable of learning.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think that is awesome. I know a hand full of parents that have had a learning disability. Most of the times, these are the people that are smarter than me. Just because a person has a learning disability, doesn't mean that they aren't "smart." they just have to learn the information in a different way. I myself have a bit of a learning issue. I have to visualize the information, write it down about 10 times and then re-read it. If I don't do this, then I won't learn / remember the information. I have gone on to be a RN instructor and have earned 5 degrees (the last being a MSN). It can be done, it just takes some of us longer than others.
Michael,
I agree that the tutoring is probably the best resource we can offer most of our students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Michael,
I agree that the tutoring is probably the best resource we can offer most of our students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have always honored any accommodations provided to our students and treat them as I would any other student.
I advise my classes that we will work toegther to make sure the subject matter is fully understood prior to them leaving.
Tutoring is a big help to many with our without a leaning disability.
I agree - they are not dumb - they just have to develop a method that works for them to get and retain the concepts and skills.
Students with learning disabilities can be very successful. I knew of a blind student who was determined to become educated. He explained his disability problem, his desire to become educated, and his desire to be independent. We provide the support he needed as well as the tool he needed. He is now working teaching other blind students to read.
I agree. I feel that the challenges they present us make allow us to improve our own teaching style.
sTUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES ARE NOT DUMB THEY PRESENT FOR TEACHERS A DIFFERNT METHOD OF PROVIdingG INFORMATION
Liz,
yes, the more we can be there for all of our students the greater chance we have of helping all of them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
As instructors we have the opportunity to give that equal chance of learning to all our students. It may require more time, more dedication, and some changes in the classroom in order for that student with learning disability to be successful. Students with learning disabilities are the best source about what have worked with them in the past.
Sherri,
I agree & if we ever had a teacher who didn't treat us well or we didn't connect with, we can at least identify a little with the important role of the instructor for these students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
