I. FOUNDATIONAL ISSUES IN LEARNING DISABILITIES.
1. Introduction to Learning Disabilities.
Definition of Learning Disabilities.
Key Facts About Learning Disabilities.
History of the Field.
"Discrepancy" in Diagnosing a Learning Disability.
Prevalence of Learning Disabilities.
Growth in the Identification Learning Disabilities.
Warning Signs of a Learning Disability.
Schools and Learning Disabilities.
Conclusion.
Did You Know?-Myth Versus Reality About Learning Disabilities.
2. Causes of Learning Disabilities.
Genetic Links.
Errors in Fetal Brain Development.
Biochemical Imbalance and Abnormalities.
Complications During Pregnancy: Premature Birth, Low Birth Weight, or Birth Trauma.
Prenatal Exposure to Drugs, Alcohol, Nicotine.
Toxins in the child's environment.
Treatment for cancer or leukemia.
Severe head injuries.
Poor nutrition.
Maturational Delay.
The Relationship Between Poor Instruction and Learning Disabilities.
The Relationship Between Low Socio-Economic Status and Learning Disabilities.
3. Characteristics of Children with Learning Disabilities.
Overview of Academic Concerns.
Reading.
Oral Reading.
Reading Comprehension.
Word Recognition Skills.
Reading Habits.
Dyslexia.
Types of Dyslexia.
Math.
Analysis and Interpretation of Math Skills.
Dyscalculia.
Types of Dyscalculia.
Written Expression.
Written Language.
Handwriting.
Dysgraphia.
Spelling.
Dysorthographia.
Errors due to Auditory Channel Deficits.
Errors due to Visual Channel Deficits.
Language Deficits.
Oral Language Problems.
Listening Comprehension.
Pragmatics.
Disorders of Attention.
Overview of ADHD.
Achievement Discrepancy.
Memory Deficits.
Cognition Deficits.
Metacognition Deficits.
Social Emotional Problems.
Nonverbal Learning Disorders.
Motivational and Attribution Problems.
Perceptual Problems .
II. THE PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING A CHILD WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY.
4. Roles and Responsibilities of Child Study Teams (CST) and Multidisciplinary Teams (MDT).
Overview of The Child Study Team.
Child Study Team Meeting.
Sources of Student Information.
School Records.
Prior Academic Achievement.
Prior Test Scores.
Group Standardized Achievement Test Results.
Attendance Records.
Recommendations by the Child Study Team-Prereferral Strategies.
Prereferral Intervention Strategies.
Meeting with Teachers.
Parent Interviews.
Medical Exam.
Hearing Test.
Vision Test.
Classroom Management Techniques.
Help Classes.
Remedial Reading or Math Services.
In-School Counseling.
Progress Reports.
Disciplinary Action.
Change of Program.
Consolidation of Program.
Referral to Child Protective Services.
Screening.
Multidisciplinary Team.
Purpose of the Multidisciplinary Team.
Membership of the Multidisciplinary Team.
Formal Referral for a Suspected Disability.
The Contents of a Referral to the MDT.
Initial Referral to the MDT from the School Staff.
Initial Referral to the MDT from a Parent/Guardian.
Assessment Plans-Consent for Evaluation.
Assessment Options of the Multidisciplinary Team.
Academic Achievement Evaluation.
Intellectual and Psychological Evaluation.
Perceptual Evaluation.
Oral Language Evaluation.
Occupational Therapy Evaluation.
Physical Therapy Evaluation.
Parental Participation in the Assessment Process.
Confidentiality.
5. Overview of Assessment in the Special Education Process.
Formal Assessment.
Norm Referenced Testing.
Standardized Testing.
Concerns with Standardized Testing.
Informal Assessment.
Criterion Referenced Tests.
Ecological Assessment.
Interviews.
Curriculum-Based Assessment.
Curriculum-Based Assessment.
Dynamic Assessment.
Portfolio Assessment.
Authentic Assessment.
Task Analysis.
Learning Styles Assessment.
Primary Areas of Assessment.
Intelligence.
Speech and Language.
Perceptual Abilities.
Academic Achievement.
Reading.
Math.
Spelling.
Written Language.
Handwriting.
Behavior and Emotional Social Development.
Multi-cultural Issues in Assessment.
6. Diagnosing a Learning Disability-Putting it All Together.
Using Assessment Information to Determine the Existence of a Learning Disability.
Clinical Interview.
Ecological Assessment.
Parent Interview.
Teacher Interview.
Review of Cumulative Reports and Records.
Intelligence Testing.
Achievement Testing.
Perceptual Testing.
Criterion Referenced Tests.
Dynamic Assessment.
Task Analysis.
Learning Styles Assessment.
Curriculum Based Assessment.
Portfolio Assessment.
Exclusion Factors.
Historical Patterns.
Psychological Assessment.
Behavioral Manifestations.
Other Diagnostic Symptoms.
7. Eligibility Procedures and IEP Development for Students with Learning Disabilities.
Eligibility Committee.
Overview of the Eligibility Committee.
Members of the Eligibility Committee (EC) Responsibilities of the Eligibility Committee.
IDEA 2004 and Eligibility Committee Meetings-What to Know.
Development of the Information Packet for Presentation to the Eligibility Committee.
How Recommendations for Classification Are Made by the Eligibility Committee.
Specific Placement (LRE) Considerations According to IDEA 2004 .
Appealing the Decision of the Eligibility Committee.
Other Roles of the Eligibility Committee.
IEP Development.
Components to Be Included in the IEP.
IEP Requirements under IDEA 2004.
8. Transition Services for Adolescents with Learning Disabilities.
The Transitional Process.
The Intent of Transition Services.
The Importance of Transition Services to Students with Learning Disabilities.
Introduction of Transition Services.
Individualized Transitional Education Program (ITEP).
Transition Services.
Special Considerations for Students with Learning Disabilities.
Employment Services.
Vocational Assessments.
Recreation/Leisure Activities.
Post-Secondary Education Options.
When to Begin College Planning.
Understanding Legal Rights Pertaining to Post-Secondary Education.
Identifying the Desirable Characteristics of a College.
Disability Related Support Services.
Assistive Technology.
III. INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES AND PRACTICES.
9. Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities to Use Learning Strategies.
Learning Difficulties of Students with LD.
The Need to be Strategic Learners.
Types of Learning Strategies.
The Importance of Teaching Children to be Strategic.
Essential Strategies to Teach.
Effective Strategy Instruction for Students with LD.
Strategic Learning-Examples from the Reading Field.
The Research Base for Learning Strategies.
Effective Teaching Methods.
Teaching Students to Use Learning Strategies.
The Importance of Positive Self-Statements.
Other Approaches to Strategy Instruction.
The Extent to Which Strategy Instruction is Taking Place in Classrooms.
10. Strategies for Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities.
Reading.
Teaching Reading to Students with LD-Overview.
Review of Dyscalculia.
Phonemic Awareness: An Important Step in Learning to Read.
Defining Phonological/Phonemic Awareness.
The Importance of Phonemic Awareness.
Phonemic Awareness: Teaching Methods.
Phonemic Awareness: Solution in the Classroom.
Improving Reading Comprehension for Students with LD.
Narrative Text.
Expository Text.
A Focus on Teacher Training.
Future Research.
General Strategies for Teaching Reading to Students with LD.
Student Groupings for Reading Instruction-Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom.
Peer Tutoring.
Cross-Age Tutoring.
Small Learning Groups.
Combined Grouping Formats.
Reading: The Key to Success.
Toward a Nation of Readers.
Written and Oral Language.
Teaching Written Language to Students with LD.
Adhering to a Basic Framework of Planning, Writing, and Revision.
Emerging Issues in Writing Instruction for Students with LD.
Oral Language.
Matthematics.
Teaching Math to Students with LD.
Review of Dyscalculia.
Enhancing Students with LD Understanding of Mathematics.
Teaching Students Strategies for Mathematical Problem Solving.
Other Strategies to Use When Working with Students with Dyscalculia.
How Can Parents Help?
Computers and Other Technology.
Teaching Students with LD about Homework Strategies.
11. Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-Instructional Strategies and Practice.
Identifying Children with ADHD.
Causes of ADHD.
Legal Requirements for Identification of and Educational Services for Children With ADHD.
An Overall Strategy for the Successful Instruction of Children with ADHD.
How to Implement the Strategy.
Effective Academic Instruction.
Effective Behavioral Interventions.
Classroom Accommodations.
IV. A TYPICAL SCHOOL YEAR: PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES.
12. Preliminary Stage: Prior to the start of school.
Step I-Gathering Information about the Students with Learning Disabilities in Your Classroom.
Step II- Reading IEP's.
Step III-Initial Contact with Parents and Students.
Step IV-Meet with your Assistant Teacher, Paraprofessional or Aide before school begins.
Step V-Setting up your classroom.
Step VI- Communication with Related Service Providers.
Step VII- Communication with Classroom Teachers.
Step VIII- Evaluating what you have and ordering new materials.
13. Initiation Stage: The first month of school.
Creating an Attractive and Useful Classroom.
Developing Classroom Rules.
Basic Classroom Management for the First Month.
The First Week of School.
Curriculum Considerations.
Choosing Materials.
Grading procedures and the use of informal assessments.
Determining readability levels of textbooks and other materials.
How to Conduct Positive Parent Conferences.
Preparing for Open School Night.
14. Interim Stage: October-March.
Instructional Design for Students with Learning Disabilities.
Educational Treatment Plans.
Grading Students with Learning Disabilities.
Reporting Student Progress to Parents.
Measuring Academic Growth-District Requirements.
Understanding Parents' Rights.
Calling Special Meetings of the Eligibility Committee.
Working Throughout the School Year with the Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities.
Working with Difficult Parents.
15. Culmination Stage: April-June.
Teacher Reports for Triennial Evaluation.
Preparing for the Annual Review Meetings.
Declassification of a Student with a Learning Disability.
Extended School Year Recommendations.
Writing End of Year Reports to Parents.
Appendices.
Glossary.
Abbreviations Used in Special Education.
Test Publishers.
Publications for Learning Disabilities.
Organizations for Learning Disabilities.
Web Sites on Learning Disabilities.
References and Suggested Readings.
