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When was the term "learning disability" coined?
When was the term "learning disability" coined?
1962
What is the name of the organization that defines learning disabilities as a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written?
What is the name of the organization that defines learning disabilities as a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written?
United States Department of Education
What is the name of the manual that defines learning disabilities as neurodevelopmental disorders that are not caused by intellectual disabilities, specific sensory deficits, or other extraneous factors?
What is the name of the manual that defines learning disabilities as neurodevelopmental disorders that are not caused by intellectual disabilities, specific sensory deficits, or other extraneous factors?
DSM-5
What are the two main approaches to identifying students with learning disabilities?
What are the two main approaches to identifying students with learning disabilities?
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Response to Intervention involves progress monitoring to track the student's response to intervention.
Response to Intervention involves progress monitoring to track the student's response to intervention.
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What specific learning disability is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities?
What specific learning disability is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities?
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Dyslexia typically results from a deficit in the phonological component of language.
Dyslexia typically results from a deficit in the phonological component of language.
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When students focus on letter ID and decoding, their brain has a lot of capacity for making meaning as they read.
When students focus on letter ID and decoding, their brain has a lot of capacity for making meaning as they read.
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What are some of the potential causes of learning disabilities?
What are some of the potential causes of learning disabilities?
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Learning disabilities are the largest category of disability among all racial and ethnic groups.
Learning disabilities are the largest category of disability among all racial and ethnic groups.
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English Language Learners are underrepresented in learning disabilities.
English Language Learners are underrepresented in learning disabilities.
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Many educators view emergent English and bilingualism as assets.
Many educators view emergent English and bilingualism as assets.
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It is important to assess bilingual students in only one language to gain a full picture of their linguistic strengths.
It is important to assess bilingual students in only one language to gain a full picture of their linguistic strengths.
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Assessors must be culturally competent when working with students with learning disabilities.
Assessors must be culturally competent when working with students with learning disabilities.
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Each individual with a learning disability has a unique profile of strengths and challenges.
Each individual with a learning disability has a unique profile of strengths and challenges.
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Individuals with learning disabilities typically have no difficulty processing information.
Individuals with learning disabilities typically have no difficulty processing information.
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What are some common areas where individuals with learning disabilities may experience difficulties?
What are some common areas where individuals with learning disabilities may experience difficulties?
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Individuals with learning disabilities never experience sensory perceptual problems.
Individuals with learning disabilities never experience sensory perceptual problems.
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What are the three main types of memory?
What are the three main types of memory?
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Semantic memory is the most frequently used form of memory in school.
Semantic memory is the most frequently used form of memory in school.
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Individuals with learning disabilities may experience difficulties with the expression of ideas and thoughts.
Individuals with learning disabilities may experience difficulties with the expression of ideas and thoughts.
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Developmental aphasia is a disorder that affects the ability to read and write.
Developmental aphasia is a disorder that affects the ability to read and write.
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Dysgraphia is a difficulty with the motor mechanics of handwriting.
Dysgraphia is a difficulty with the motor mechanics of handwriting.
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Individuals with learning disabilities never experience problems with executive functions.
Individuals with learning disabilities never experience problems with executive functions.
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What are some common challenges that individuals with learning disabilities may face in the learning environment?
What are some common challenges that individuals with learning disabilities may face in the learning environment?
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The purpose of feedback is to decrease motivation, engagement, and independence in learning and behavior.
The purpose of feedback is to decrease motivation, engagement, and independence in learning and behavior.
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Effective feedback should be strategic, goal-directed, timely, positive, and constructive.
Effective feedback should be strategic, goal-directed, timely, positive, and constructive.
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What are some examples of assistive technology that can be helpful for students with learning disabilities?
What are some examples of assistive technology that can be helpful for students with learning disabilities?
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IEPs and 504 plans specify what assistive technologies are needed by each student.
IEPs and 504 plans specify what assistive technologies are needed by each student.
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Learning is a function of how well an individual processes information.
Learning is a function of how well an individual processes information.
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Deep processing occurs when we transform information to make it ours.
Deep processing occurs when we transform information to make it ours.
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Executive function is the decision-making component of the information processing model.
Executive function is the decision-making component of the information processing model.
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Self-regulation skills allow us to monitor ourselves so that we can continuously adapt our thoughts, speech, and actions to accomplish our goals.
Self-regulation skills allow us to monitor ourselves so that we can continuously adapt our thoughts, speech, and actions to accomplish our goals.
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Repeated experiences of failure and frustration can lead to anticipatory anxiety in new situations.
Repeated experiences of failure and frustration can lead to anticipatory anxiety in new situations.
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The MTSS approach encourages collaboration between general and special educators.
The MTSS approach encourages collaboration between general and special educators.
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Study Notes
History of Learning Disabilities
- The term "learning disability" was coined in 1962 by Samuel Kirk.
- It describes a diverse group with a neurological basis affecting learning.
How Learning Disabilities are Defined
- Neurodevelopmental disorders not caused by intellectual disability, sensory deficits, or other external factors (DSM-5).
- A disorder in one or more basic psychological processes (understanding/using language, spoken or written), affecting listening, thinking, speaking, spelling, and/or mathematical calculations (U.S. Department of Education).
How Students with LD are Identified
- Discrepancy Formulas: Based on the gap between intellectual ability (IQ) and achievement/performance.
- Response to Intervention (RTI): Identifies students who don't respond adequately to evidence-based interventions. This method monitors progress.
Comprehensive Assessments
- Used to determine learning strengths and challenges.
What is Dyslexia?
- A specific learning disability characterized by difficulties with accurate/fluent word recognition and poor spelling/decoding.
- Typically caused by a deficit in the phonological component of language.
- Secondary consequences can include reading comprehension problems, limited vocabulary and background knowledge, and visual perceptual difficulties.
Causes of Learning Disabilities (LD)
- Neurological differences in brain function/organization.
- Genetic predisposition (family and twin studies).
- Environmental factors contribute to learning in each domain.
- Inadequate prenatal care.
Prevalence of Learning Disabilities
- 37% of individuals aged 6-21 receiving special education or related services have learning disabilities.
- LD is the largest category of disability across all racial/ethnic groups.
Challenges in Identifying Learning Disabilities in English Language Learners (ELL)
- 23% of school-age children come from non-English speaking homes.
- Appropriately identifying ELLs with LD presents a particular challenge.
- Educators sometimes misinterpret emergent English and bilingualism as developmental deficits.
- Cultural competency by assessors is crucial.
Characteristics of Children with Learning Disabilities
- Individuals have a unique profile of strengths/challenges.
- Processing difficulties may impact language development, academic learning, motor coordination, social/emotional self-regulation and the ability to focus attention. Possible sensory or perceptual problems, such as visual or auditory perception and sensory overload.
Types of Memory
- Semantic: stores concepts, words, symbols, and generalizations (most frequently used in school).
- Episodic: ability to recall whole scenes or episodes from the past.
- Motor: ability to learn body movement patterns.
- Developmental Aphasia: Difficulty with speech such as word retrieval and speech fluency.
- Dysgraphia: difficulty with motor mechanics of handwriting.
Executive Functions
- Control attention
- Decisions about info storage
- Strategies for storing information
- Self-regulation, and continual adaptation of thoughts, speech, and actions to achieve goals.
Educational Responses for Students with Learning Disabilities
- Most students spend 80%+ of school day in general education classes.
- Students still may need specialized instruction/accommodations.
- Common accommodations include preferential seating, assistive technology (e.g., calculators, speech-to-text software), and modified assessments and materials.
- Extra time for assignments/assessments
Modifications
- Focus on essential aspects of learning.
- Grade on effort, not just the final product.
- Use of alternatives for learning materials (alternative readings/projects).
Evidence-Based Practices
- Explicit teaching: Use precise language, clear examples, and schemas.
- Strategic teaching: Provide instruction in specific learning strategies.
- Scaffolding: Progressively move from concrete to abstract.
- Metacognition: Help students understand their thinking.
- Modeling: Teachers provide demonstrations while explaining thought processes.
High Leverage Practices
- Provide positive/constructive feedback to guide learning and behavior.
Assistive Technology for Students with LD
- Examples include text-to-speech readers, speech-to-text software, and audio books.
Information Processing Model
- Learning is a function of an individual's ability to process information.
- Deep processing transforms information into meaningful knowledge.
- Executive functioning and self-regulation enable continuous adaptation of thought, speech, and actions to meet goals.
- Emotional/social environment influences learning.
Meeting the Needs of Students with Learning Disabilities
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles are helpful.
- UDL suggests focusing on representation (providing information in various ways), engagement (creating interest), and assessment (allowing students to demonstrate knowledge in different ways).
- Self-regulation strategies (e.g., using a “secret signal”) to help students manage impulses.
Summary of Findings
- Students with LD are the largest special education group.
- Unique strengths and challenges for each student.
- Neurological difficulties in information processing may be a key factor in learning challenges, particularly impacting ELL students.
- Multi-faceted support systems are crucial for students with LD.
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Description
Explore the definition, identification, and assessment of learning disabilities. This quiz covers the historical context, such as the coining of the term by Samuel Kirk in 1962, and the criteria used to identify and assess students with learning disabilities, including dyslexia. Understand the multifaceted nature of these disorders and their implications for education.
