Disabilities
I recently had a student with a learning disability. I found it challenging to address this students learning disability without taking up other students time. This student already arrived early for one on one sessions and stayed late after class. My question would be:
How much time can an instructor dedicate to one student with affecting the rest of the class?
I love this question! As Dr. Gary stated refer the student to the Student Services Advisor, or yet, find who is the ADA Coordinator at your school. Either after class or before, have the Coordinator come speak with the student and you. Or you may prefer to walk the student over to the Coordinator. During this walk, you may want to discuss what other school resources there are as well as letting the student know that you are there but will check up on each student accordingly.
If we just point students in that direction, often we tend to lose the student. I find that you are already giving your student great customer service; why not exceed that. You may be the only mentor that the student has and he/she may return.
The student is eating up all of your offerings, which is good. Often I see an instructor who opens the same opportunity, but the student does not utilize. Keep up the great work.
Hi Jesse,
The answer to this question really rests with the instructor. You know how much time you have to devote to this student without it effecting the other students and the progress of the class. I would refer the student to the Student Services Office for some assessment or ask what accommodations were made when they were in secondary school. Often they will have had an IEP (Individual Education Plan) that will give you strategies that the student needs for success. Also, the student should have a clear idea about what supports are needed. If the student has a learning disability that is reading or comprehension based then that individual should give you some examples of how you can illustrate graphically the material for their comprehension.
Also, a question needs to be asked if the student will be able to preform the reading or calculation required of the career area. If not then some career counseling will be in order for that student.
Gary
