Learning
Ÿ Illegible handwriting
Disabilities
What is a learning disability?
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 or
smarter than their peers. But they may have
difficulty reading, writing, spelling,
reasoning, recalling and/or organizing
information if left to figure things out by
themselves or if taught in conventional
ways.
Strengths: Needs:
Painting Summarizing ideas
Drawing Grasping abstract concepts
Music Learning new skills
Drama Remembering facts
Sports Reading and writing
Time limits
Analyzing information
Working with numbers
Dysgraphia - difficulty writing
The brain networks for vocabulary,
grammar, hand movement, and memory
must all be in good working order. A
developmental writing disorder may result
from problems in any of these areas.
Some signs of dysgraphia…
Ÿ Tight, awkward pencil grip and body
position
Some warning signs are…
Ÿ Avoiding writing or drawing tasks
Ÿ Tiring quickly while writing
Ÿ Saying words out loud while writing
Ÿ Unfinished or omitted words in
sentences
Ÿ Difficulty organizing thoughts on
paper
Ÿ Difficulty with syntax structure and
grammar
Ÿ Large gap between written ideas and
speech.
Strategies…
Ÿ Accommodations: providing
alternatives to written expression,
without changing the process or the
product.
Ÿ Modifications: changing expectations
or tasks to minimize or avoid the area
of weakness, according to the student’s
needs
Ÿ Remediation: providing instruction for
improving handwriting and writing
skills
Dyscalculia - difficulty with
mathematics
A mathematical disability in which a
person has a difficult time solving
arithmetic problems and grasping math
concepts, such as recognizing numbers and
symbols, memorizing facts, aligning
numbers, and understanding abstract
concepts like place value and fractions.
Ÿ Good at speaking, reading, and
writing, but slow to develop counting
and math problem-solving skills
Ÿ Good memory for printed words, but
difficulty reading numbers, or recalling
numbers in sequence
Ÿ Good with general math concepts, but
frustrated with computation and
organization skills need to be used
Ÿ Trouble with the concept of time-
chronically late, difficulty
remembering schedules, trouble with
approximating how long something
will take
Ÿ Poor sense of direction, easily
disoriented and easily confused by
changes in routine
Ÿ Poor long term memory of concepts-
can do math functions one day, but is
unable to repeat them the next day
Ÿ Poor mental math ability-trouble
estimating grocery costs or counting
days until vacation
Ÿ Difficulty playing strategy games like
chess, bridge or role-playing video
games
Ÿ Difficulty keeping score when playing
board and card games.
Strategies…
Ÿ Use graph paper for students who have
difficulty organizing ideas on paper.
Ÿ Work on finding different ways to
approach math facts; i.e., instead of
just memorizing the multiplication
 tables, explain that 8 x 2 = 16, so if 16
is doubled, 8 x 4 must = 32.
Ÿ Practice estimating as a way to begin
solving math problems.
Ÿ Introduce new skills beginning with
concrete examples and later moving to
more abstract applications.
Ÿ For language difficulties, explain ideas
and problems clearly and encourage
students to ask questions as they work.
Ÿ Provide a place to work with few
distractions and have pencils, erasers
and other tools on hand as needed.

Memory Tips for Student Success:

Ÿ Sort information
Ÿ Frequent review
Ÿ Use of humour or exaggeration
Ÿ Colour code
Ÿ Visual aids
Ÿ Rehearse aloud
Ÿ Make it physical
Ÿ Turn memory practice into a game

Source:

www.ldonline.org

Provides tips, strategies, teaching tools,

and parental support for students who have
Learning Disabilities