Encouraging Your Child to Succeed Identifying the signs of learning disabilities and creating a plan for success Kathryn Jens Ph.D. Erica Adamiak M.A.

There are all types of disabilities

What is a learning disability? 0 It has had different terms over the years. 0 Typically 10-15% of the student population have a learning disability. 0 Typically it’s someone with average to above average intelligence. 0 Students have difficulties in receiving, processing, storing, responding to, and communicating, information that gets in their way and almost masks their intelligence at times. 0 Cognitive weaknesses are typically coupled with academic areas of weaknesses.

What are the warning signs? 0 Struggling with friendships 0 Depression/anxiety 0 Hours on homework 0 Disorganization 0 Afraid of disappointing others 0 Frustrating others (teachers and parents)

Warning signs in the classroom Organization Confusion with directions/instructions Misreading information Look noncompliant Struggling to stay on task, attention to details, abstract concepts, and slow work pace

0 Understand the disability in common language 0 Support groups SEACSEAC 0 Promote positive peer relationships for child 0 Promote role models 0 Promote open communication with school 0 Set limits on homework time 0 Scaffold organization 0 Know accommodations/modifications 0 Model advocacy What can parents do?

How do students address their disability with their friends? 0 Know the common language of their disability 0 Advocate their needs 0 Share that they just learn “differently”

What will the school do to support? IEP Case Manager Customized to meet the needs of every child. Reviewed annually/Eligibility every three years Signature Page Present levels of Progress Eligibility? Determine classroom accommodations Services Goals Manage paperwork Monitor goals Advocate Provide communication

Tiers of Intervention Universal Level General Education Targeted Intensive

What will the school do to support? * Based on individual needs Accommodations 0 Alterations in the way that tasks are presented that allow students to complete the same assignments. 0 Examples: audio tape, preferential seating, small group, extended time, assisted technology, frequent breaks Modifications 0 Alterations in the curriculum and content that do not require the students to complete the same assignments. 0 Examples: Modified grading scale, altered multiple choice test, reworded questions, word banks, alternative books/materials for topics

Differentiation 0 Content ( teachers differentiate content by what the students learn as well as the materials, could occur through books on tape, readiness verses grade-level ) 0 Process (whole group, small groups, pairing, centers, personal agendas) 0 Product (informal, formal assessments, rubrics, flexibility) 0 Learning environment (quiet, set up of materials, structure, guidelines, different ways to ask for help)

Advocating Working as a team with parent, student, and teachers.