Learning Disability

By: McKenzie McCall

Federal Definition
A disorder in one or more of the basic psychological
processes involved in understanding or in using
language, spoken or written, that may manifest
itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think,
speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical
calculations.
A learning disability can also interfere with things
outside of the classroom such as organization, time
planning,abstract reasoning, long or short term
memory, and attention.

LD Characteristics

Academic: problems with word

recognition, handwriting, and spelling.
Social: problems with oral language,
pragmatics, and memory.
Behavioral: problems with listening
comprehension, distraction, and
playing quietly.
Functional: problems with
coordination, balance, and gross
motor skills.

Strengths
Perseverance, to keep trying even when things don't
come easily.
Empathy, to be kind to others despite their
differences.
Courage, to try new things even when they know it
won't come easily to them.
Assertiveness, to ask for what they need to be
successful in the classroom.

Classroom Accommodations

Work or take a test in a different setting,

such as a quite room with few distractions.
Sit where he/she learns best, ex: near the
teacher.
Use special lighting or acoustics.
Take a test in a small group setting.
Use sensory tools to work out energy.

Instructional Strategies

Parent Communication

Parent conferences

Parent-teacher organizations or school

community councils

Weekly sent home folders of students work

Phone calls and e-mails

A cassette recorder or computer with word

processing software could be used for
written work.
A read-along technique may be used with
taped texts and materials to allow learning
of printed materials.
Typed handouts, large print, or double
spaced materials.
A computerized spell checker can help make
written materials readable.

Educator Resources

Readingrockets.org
Adi.org
Understood.org
Ldaamerica.org
Idea.ed.gov
Naset.org