learningdisabilities

Ø Average or above average intelligence Ø Adequate sensory acuity Ø Significant discrepancy between measured academic potential and achievement Ø Discrepancies in academic behavior from subject to subject Ø Educationally behind grade level Ø Can be either hyperactive or hypoactive Ø Inattention to tasks Ø Inappropriate over attention to part of task Ø Lack of fine and gross motor skills Ø Memory disorders Ø Visual perception disorders – no recognition of numbers and/or letters Ø Auditory perception disorders – cannot distinguish between background noise and main source of sound, or letters, words, and sentences Ø Tactile perception disorders Ø Kinesthetic perception disorder – difficulty in writing and reaching for objects Ø Persistent repetition of a word, gesture, action, writing and/or copying Ø Poor orientation behavior – difficulties in distinguishing left from right, distance, size, or time Ø Lack of motivation for academic tasks; easily distracted Ø Difficulty in following directions Ø Difficulty in distinguishing different types of social situations and choosing appropriate behavior
 * __ Learning Disabilities __**
 * // Possible Characteristics //**

Ø Structure the student’s experience in the library media center Ø Provide individualized instruction Ø Use a variety of sensory modalities for input and output, but not at the same time Ø Teach to the strongest modality Ø Determine the student’s individual style of learning and use it Ø Determine what target skills the student possesses Ø Define your objectives, including the level of performance, you want the student to attain Ø Present clearly and precisely stated visual and auditory information Ø Use a carefully defined teaching strategy Ø Reinforce correct responses immediately with appropriate reinforcers Ø Collaborate with classroom and all special education teacher(s)
 * // Teaching Implications //**

Source - PSLA Special Needs publication, 1994