Special Education: Learning Disabilities
Learning Disability Overview
Explore the Learning Disabilities Association of America website and browse specifically through the “New to LD” section that pertains to your role as an educator and related service provider.
As you explore consider:
⦁ What areas do you need to explore in order to build your knowledge around specific learning disabilities?
⦁ Which articles on the website do you need to save in a favorites folder as resources for colleagues, parents, or for your own review later on?
“New to LD: For Educators” Link AVAILABLE HERE:
https://ldaamerica.org/audience/educators/?audience=Educators
“New to LD: For Professionals” Link AVAILABEL HERE:
https://ldaamerica.org/audience/professionals/?audience=Professionals
Misunderstood Minds: Nathan’s story begins in chapter 1
We will continue taking a look at the Misunderstood Minds documentary. In this video clip we take a peek into Nathan’s story.
As you watch, consider what you know about the common characteristics of a learning disability and how you see these in Nathan’s strengths and needs?
Video Link AVAILABLE HERE:
Misunderstood Minds: Nathan’s story continues in chapter 2
Nathan’s story continues for the first 2 minutes of chapter 2 of the Misunderstood Minds documentary.
Video Link AVAILABLE HERE:
Contrasting Case Example: Javion’s Story
How it Feels to be Javion: 16 and Struggling to Read in Chicago Public Schools
This article illustrates the critical importance of effective, early intervention for young people with LD in the case of Javion. As you read, consider the types of intensive interventions that would benefit Javion today.
Article Link AVAILABLE HERE:
https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/12/13/how-it-feels-to-be-javion-16-and-struggling-to-read-in-chicago-public-schools/
THIS WEEK’S ASSIGNMENT WRITING PROMPT:
Week 5 – Learning Disabilities
⦁ What specific characteristics of a learning disability, from the federal definition presented in class, did Nathan Van Hoy display?
⦁ How did Nathan’s communication and social skills, sensorimotor skills, and memory skills help to mask his learning disability (i.e., his basic decoding skills in reading)?
⦁ How can or did teachers use his strengths to help Nathan improve his reading and executive functioning at the same time?Describe specific examples of assessment and intervention that helped Nathan.
⦁ How might these interventions help Javion today, as an adolescent with LD?
