TYPOLOGY OF LEARNERS

WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

OVERVIEW:
• This unit is a continuation of learning and understanding about the
foundation of inclusive and special education. This unit will offer the
learners topics emphasizing various typologies of learners with special
needs. Through this unit, the learners will distinguish the different types,
identifications, etiologies, causes, and characteristics of learners who
have special needs. The learners will also be familiarized with the
different teaching strategies applicable to the typology of learners.
Topics that will be discussed in this unit include: learners with learning,
physical and intellectual disabilities, socio-emotional disorder, chronic
illnesses, learners in difficult circumstances and learners from indigenous
groups. The learners with unique talents and are gifted will also be
mentioned in this unit.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME
Upon the completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Distinguish the different types, identifications, etiologies, causes,
characteristics of learners who have special needs;
2. Explain the salient meaning of learners with learning, physical
and intellectual disabilities;
3. Identify the socio-emotional disorder, chronic illnesses and
learners in difficult circumstances;
4. Provide understanding of the background of learners from
indigenous groups;
5. Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are
inclusive of learners with special need
LESSON 2: LEARNNERS WITH
LEARNING DISABILITIES
LESSON COMPASS:
1.Distinguish the different types, causes,
characteristics of learners with learning
disabilities;
2. Reflect on the unique characteristics of learners
with learning disabilities through movie analysis
titled “Educating Peter (1992) directed by
Geraldine Wurtburg”.
The Conundrum in Learners
with Specific Learning
Disability
They are the learners with:
• High perceptual power and low ability to read,
write and spell
• Strong with words and weak in numbers
• Great artistic talent but flounder in academics
Definition of Learning Disability Under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• Specific learning disability – means a disorder in one or
more basic psychological processes involved in
understanding or in using language, spoken or written,
that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen,
speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical
calculations. The term includes such conditions as
perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain
dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia.
Definition of Learning Disability Under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• Specific learning disability – The term does not apply to
children who have learning problems that are primarily
the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of
mental retardation, of emotional disturbance, or
environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantages.

Source: Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34, Subtitle B, Chapter III,

Section 300.7 (b)(10).
Definition of Learning Disability Under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• Disorders not included. The term does not include
learning problems that are primarily the result of visual,
hearing, or motor disabilities, of mental retardation, of
emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or
economic disadvantages.

Source: Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34, Subtitle B, Chapter III,

(Section 300.7 (b)(10) of CFR Parts 300 and 303).
Definition of Learning Disability

• Learning Disabilities (LD)- have difficulty

acquiring basic skills or academic content. It is
characterized by intra-individual differences,
usually in the form of a discrepancy between a
learner’s ability and his or her achievement in
areas such as reading, writing, mathematics or
speaking.
Definition of Learning Disability

• Learning Disabilities- are defined differently by

different groups. The concept of “learning
disability” has one meaning for the general
public, but a different meaning for
professionals. Furthermore, different professional
groups use different definition of learning
disability.
What does “discrepancy” mean?
• A learner has a learning disability if he or she
does not achieve at the proper age and ability
levels and has a severe discrepancy between
achievement and intellectual ability in one or
more of the following areas: oral expression,
listening comprehension, written expression,
basic reading skills, reading comprehension,
mathematics calculation, and mathematics
reasoning.”
What does “discrepancy” mean?
• A learner has a learning disability if he or she
does not achieve at the proper age and ability
levels and has a severe discrepancy between
achievement and intellectual ability in one or
more of the following areas: oral expression,
listening comprehension, written expression,
basic reading skills, reading comprehension,
mathematics calculation, and mathematics
reasoning.”
 LD Learners
102
100
98
96
94
92
IQ-90
90 above
88
86
84
Ability Achievement
LD Learners
What does “discrepancy” mean?
• Discrepancy- refers to a difference between ability
and achievement. A learner with a learning
disability may, in general terms, seem quite
capable of learning but have unexpected
difficulty in one or more of the academic areas.
Originally, the concept of discrepancy was
probably used to differentiate between learners
who had low achievement because of low ability
(i.e., individuals with low ability or IQ) and those
whose low achievement was unexpected (i.e.,
individuals with normal ability).
How many children have learning disability?
• Authorities’ estimates range from 0.5% to 30%.
Various studies have put the prevalence around 6-
8% percent of the school-age population. Each
year, the U.S. Department of Education reports the
number and percentage of school-age children
receiving special education for learning disabilities
in public schools. For the school year 1998-1999,
just under 4.5% of 6 to 21 years olds (2.8 million) in
US schools had been identified as having learning
disabilities.
How many children have learning disability?
• LD manifests itself as a marked discrepancy
between ability and academic achievement. This
small group, less than 3% of the school population,
exhibits chronic problems in mastering the basic
academic skills of reading, writing, spelling, in
approximately one (1) to two (2) percent of the
school population. Among the learning disorders,
ninety percent are on reading problems prevalent
among learners with learning disability.
What causes learning disability?
• Error in Fetal Brain Development
Throughout pregnancy, the fetal brain develops
from a few all-purpose cells into a complex
organ made of billions of specialized,
interconnected nerve cells called neurons.
During this amazing evolution, things can go
wrong that may alter how the neurons form or
interconnect.
What causes learning disability?
• Error in Fetal Brain Development
In the early stages of pregnancy, the brain stem
forms. It controls basic life functions such as
breathing and digestion. Later, a deep ridge
divides the cerebrum, the thinking part of the brain-
into two halves, a right and left hemisphere. Finally,
the areas involved with processing sight, sound, and
other senses develop, as well as the areas
associated with attention, thinking, and emotion.
What causes learning disability?
• Error in Fetal Brain Development
As new cells form, they move into place to
create various brain structures. Nerve cells
rapidly grow to form networks with other parts of
the brain. These networks are what allow
information to be shared among various regions
of the brain.
What causes learning disability?
• Error in Fetal Brain Development
Throughout pregnancy, this brain development is
vulnerable to disruptions. If the disruption occurs
early, the fetus may die, or the infant may be born
with widespread disabilities and possibly mental
retardation. If the disruption occurs later, when the
cells are becoming specialized and moving into
place, it may leave errors in the cell make-up,
location, or connections. Some scientists believe
that these errors may later show up as learning
disorders.
Other Factors that Affect Brain Development
• Genetic Factors
• Tobacco, Alcohol, and other drug use
•Alcohol
• Drugs such as cocaine
• Problems during pregnancy or delivery
•Toxins in the Child’s environment
Other Factors that Affect Brain Development
• Genetic Factors- The fact that learning
disabilities tend to run in facilities indicates that
there may be a genetic link. For example,
children who lack some of the skills needed for
reading, such as hearing the separate sounds
of words, are likely to have a parent with
related problem.
Other Factors that Affect Brain Development
• Genetic Factors- However, a parent’s learning
disability may take a slightly different form in the
child. A parent who has a writing disorder may
have a child with an expressive language
disorder. For this reason, it seems unlikely that
specific learning disorders are inherited directly.
Possibly, what is inherited is a subtle brain
dysfunction that can in turn lead to a learning
disability.
Other Factors that Affect Brain Development
• Genetic Factors
There may be an alternative explanation for why LD
might seem to run in families. Some learning
difficulties may actually stem from the family
environment. For example, parents who have
expressive language disorders might talk less to their
children or the language they use may be
distorted. In such cases, the child lacks a good
model for acquiring language and therefore, may
seem to be learning disabled.
Other Factors that Affect Brain Development
• Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drug Use-
Many drugs taken by the mother passes directly to
the fetus. Research shows that a mother’s use of
cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs during
pregnancy may have damaging effects on the
unborn child. Therefore, to prevent potential harm
to developing babies, the U.S. Public Health Service
supports efforts to make people become aware of
the possible dangers of smoking, drinking, and using
drugs.
Other Factors that Affect Brain Development
• Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drug Use-
Scientists have found that mothers who smoke
during pregnancy may be more likely to bear
smaller babies. This is a concern because small
newborns, usually those weighing less than 5
pounds, tend to be at risk for a variety of
problems, including learning disorders.
Other Factors that Affect Brain Development
• Alcohol – also may be dangerous to the fetus’
developing brain. It appears that alcohol may
distort the developing neurons. Heavy alcohol
use during pregnancy has been linked to fetal
alcohol syndrome, a condition that can lead to
low birth weight, intellectual impairment,
hyperactivity, and certain physical defects.
Other Factors that Affect Brain Development
• Alcohol –Any alcohol use during pregnancy,
however, may influence the child’s
development and lead to problems with
learning, attention, memory, or problem
solving. Because scientists have not yet
identified “safe” levels, alcohol should be used
cautiously by women who are pregnant or who
may soon become pregnant.
Other Factors that Affect Brain Development
• Drugs such as cocaine –Especially in its “smokable” form
known as crack- seems to affect the normal
development of brain receptors. These brain cell parts
help to transmit incoming signals from our skin, eyes, and
ears, and help regulate our physical response to the
environment. Because children with certain learning
disabilities have difficulty understanding speech sounds
or letters, some researches believe that learning
disabilities, as well as ADHD, may be related to faulty
receptors. Current research points to drug abuse as a
possible cause of receptors damage.
Other Factors that Affect Brain Development
• Problems During Pregnancy or Delivery–Other
possible causes of learning disabilities involve
complications during pregnancy. In some cases,
the mother’s immune system reacts to the ferns
and attacks it as if it were an infection. This type of
disruption seems to cause newly formed brain cells
to settle in the wrong part of the brain. Or during
delivery, the umbilical cord may become twisted
and temporarily cut off oxygen to the fetus. This,
too, can impair brain functions and lead to LD.
Other Factors that Affect Brain Development
• Toxins in the Child’s Environment–New brain
cells and neural networks continue to be
produced for a year or so after the child is born.
These cells are vulnerable to certain disruptions
also.
• Researchers are looking into environmental
toxins that may lead to learning disabilities,
possibly by disrupting childhood brain
development or brain processes.
Other Factors that Affect Brain Development
• Toxins in the Child’s Environment
• Researchers are looking into environmental
toxins that may lead to learning disabilities,
possibly by disrupting childhood brain
development or brain processes.
Let’s Begin:
A. Comparative Chart. You have learned the different
types of learners with intellectual disabilities. In this short
challenge, you will again create a comparative table on
the different learning disabilities. Kindly complete the
table below based on what you have read from your
previous task/ assignment
B. MOVIE ANALYSIS
• After familiarizing the characteristics of learners with learning disabilities, for
your supplementary activity, you are directed to do a reflection and analysis
of a movie titled “Educating Peter (1992)”. Here, you do not build an
argument; instead, you bring out your feelings and thoughts about the movie
under analysis. Your greatest task is structuring the paper from personal
experience and reasoning, especially after watching the movie.
• Write your Movie analysis in a yellow paper. Consider the standards in writing
a reflection paper.
• Use the rubric provided for your guide in creating your movie analysis or
reflection paper.
B. MOVIE ANALYSIS
Rubric for MOVIE ANALYSIS (40 points)
Exceptional Proficient No Credit
CRITERIA 10 6 3
FOCUS Clearly states the Implies but does not Does not state or imply
purpose of the activity. clearly state the purpose the purpose of the
of the activity. activity.
Never diverges from the Diverges from the topic
topic
CONTENT Demonstrates a Demonstrates a Lacks development and
thorough self-reflective reflective analysis self-reflection.
analysis including a including a summary of
summary of the activity the activity supported by Dose not include a
supported by specific details. summary of the activity
and illustrative details. or has insufficient details.
Draws conclusions and
Draws conclusions and makes a connection to Does not make a
makes connections to future plans. connection to future
future plans. plans.
Rubric for MOVIE ANALYSIS (40 points)
Exceptional Proficient No Credit
CRITERIA 10 6 3
ORGANIZATION Presents the reflection in a Presents the reflection in a Presents the reflection in a
compelling, high-organized well-organized manner. poorly organized manner.
manner.
Includes the following Elements are missing that
Includes the following elements: impact understanding:
elements: • Introduction with issues • No introduction
• Attention-getting to tackle • No transition
introduction, which • Transitions • No conclusion
includes issues • Conclusions
• Effective transitions
• Reflective conclusion
CONVENTIONS Uses articulate and Uses appropriate Uses slang and
appropriate language, language, word choice, unsophisticated word
sophisticated word choice, and sentence structure. choice.
and sentence structure. 2-3 errors in: 4 or more errors in:
0-1 error in: • Grammar • Grammar
• Grammar • Punctuation • Punctuation
• Punctuation • Mechanics • Mechanics
• Mechanics
Let us talk about your output:
1. What are the common things you have noticed
among learners with learning disabilities?
2. Do you have any experience dealing with learners with
learning disabilities? How did you handle it?
3. What are the important lessons you have derived from
watching the movie?
4. Does the movie impacts your life as a learner/person?
LET’S DIG DEEPER
A learning disability is a neurological disorder. In simple
terms, a learning disability results from a difference in the
way a person’s brain is “wired.” Children with learning
disabilities are as smart as or smarter than their peers. But
they may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, and
reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information it left
to figure things out by them or if taught in conventional
ways.
LET’S DIG DEEPER
A learning disability can't be cured or fixed; it is a lifelong
issue. With the right support and intervention, however,
children with learning disabilities can succeed in school and
go on to successful, often distinguished careers later in life.
Parents can help children with learning disabilities achieve
such success by encouraging their strengths, knowing their
weaknesses, understanding the educational system, working
with professionals and learning about strategies for dealing
with specific difficulties. There are different types of learning
disabilities. These include:
• Dyslexia – a language-based disability in which a
person has trouble understanding written words.
It may also be referred to as reading disability or
reading disorder.
• Dyscalculia – a mathematical disability in which
a person has a difficult time solving arithmetic
problems and grasping math concepts.
• Dysgraphia – a writing disability in which a person
finds it hard to form letters or write within a
defined space.
• Auditory and Visual Processing Disorders –
sensory disabilities in which a person has difficulty
understanding language despite normal hearing
and vision.
• Nonverbal Learning Disabilities – a neurological
disorder which originates in the right hemisphere
of the brain, causing problems with visual-spatial,
intuitive, organizational, evaluative and holistic
processing functions.
HOW FAR HAVE WE GONE?
• This time, you will have a quick assessment of
how far have you gone understanding the topic.

• Direction: Search and encircle the (11) words

that describe and relate to learning disabilities.
Key answer
1. Nonverbal
2. Visual
3. Dyscalculia
4. Dysgraphia
5. Dyslexia
6. Auditory
7. Neurological
8-9. Visual spatial
10. Vision
11. Brain
WALK THE EXTRA MILE!
• You have walked an extra mile this time. It seems
that you are now ready to explore more about
this chapter. Moving forward to your next lesson,
do advance reading about learners with
physical disabilities. Explore interesting things
about how a unique individual makes difference
in the world.
References:
• De Vera, E.,et.al.(2016). Special Education. Great Books Trading, &B Cavite
Street, Brgy.Paltok, West Avenue, Quezon City. ISBN 978-971-9645-13-9.
Philippines.
• WebMD (2020). Detecting learning disabilities. Retrieved from:
https://www.webmd.com/children/guide/detecting-learning-disabilities#1
• What is a learning disability? Retrieved from:
http://www.ldonline.org/ldbasics/whatisld
•
https://www.medicinenet.com/dyslexia/article.htm#what_are_the_different_t
ypes_of_ dyslexia
THANK YOU