Learning

Disabilities and
Effective
Interventions
Julianna Maka
11/23/21
GCU:PCN-670
What is a learning disability?

“A learning disability is an area of weakness or inefficiency in brain function that significantly

hinders our ability to learn. It is a pattern of neurological dysfunction in the brain that causes a

person to have difficulty correctly receiving information (perception), correctly processing

information (cognition/thinking), or satisfactorily responding to information (written and verbal

expression, visual-motor coordination, memory, etc.)” (NILD,2021).

Autism Spectrum Disorder
Spectrum
Autism is analyzed through a spectrum because
there is such a range of abilities and challenges that
an individual can face.

Social, Emotional, and Communication Skills

All of these areas can be effected by autism. This looks different
in each individual but can look like: repeating actions, difficulty
expressing needs, trouble adapting to change, etc.

Diagnosis
Children and adults diagnosed with autism are
observed by their development and behavior.
Autism - Its Impact on Social Development

Body
Communication Language

Behavior Relationships
Effective Social Interventions

DTT Modeling PECS VOCA

Discrete Trial Modeling specific Picture Exchange Voice Output
Teaching - teaching behaviors, Communication Communication
skills in small, movements, or System - Using Aids - portable
planned, and language. symbols and electronic that
repeated steps. pictures to generates language
communicate output.
language.
Autism - Its Impact
on Educational
Development
Children with autism may have difficulty
communicating their needs to peers and
educators. This can lead to trouble with
academic comprehension and may negatively
impact social development. Being unable to
communicate effectively can cause a child to
feel left out and feel frustrated. These feelings
and challenges make it difficult for the child to
focus on academics in the classroom.
Effective Interventions in Education
General Education
Autistic children can be
successful in a general
education classroom.
Special Education
Some children may be in
a special education for
the entire school day with
educators who specialize
in their needs and
supports.
Resource - Pull Out
Support
An often controversial
pull out method still
takes place in the
education system and
may or may not be
effective for an
individual.
References
NILD. 2021. What is a Learning Disability? National Institute for Learning Development. Retrieved
from https://www.nild.org/families/what-is-a-learning-disability/

Silveira-Zaldivar, T., Özerk, G., & Özerk, K. (2021). Developing Social Skills and Social Competence in
Children with Autism. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 13(3), 341–363.

Special needs education: Teaching autistic students. (2020, February 17). Daily Monitor, Uganda
[Kampala, Uganda], NA.
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A614084822/STND?u=canyonuniv&sid=ebsco&xid=4db064bc

Tincani, M., Travers, J., & Boutot, A. (2009). Race, Culture, and Autism Spectrum Disorder:
Understanding the Role of Diversity in Successful Educational Interventions. Research and Practice for
Persons with Severe Disabilities, 34(3–4), 81–90. https://doi.org/10.2511/rpsd.34.3-4.81