National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) Teleconference November 21, 2003 Learning Disabilities & Hidden Disabilities

Presenter: Richard Allegra AHEAD Associate Executive Director- Information and Education 25 years in field of disability 13 years in disability services in higher education 1980’s worked in vocational training/supported employment field

Models of Disability Medical Model Disability = deficiency/abnormality Being disabled is negative “Disability” is a “problem” that inherent in a person The remedy for disability-related issues is “cure” The agent of remedy is solely the professional Social Model Disability = difference from average Being disabled, in itself, is neutral “Disability” derives from interaction between the person and society The remedy is changing the interaction between person and societal “constructs” The agent of remedy can be: the individual, an advocate, anyone who changes interaction Gill, C. University of Illinois at Chicago

Learning Disability: Basic Elements Neurologically-based Intrinsic to the individual Persist across individual’s lifespan with varying levels of intensity Not due primarily to other disabling conditions Source: Specific Learning Disabilities: Finding Common Ground. A report developed by organizations participating in the Learning Disabilities Roundtable 25 July 2002 (NCLD)

Learning Disability: Identification Comprehensive evaluation required Multiple sources: Self-report Observations by parents, teachers, others Formal assessment Informed clinical judgment Ability-Achievement Discrepancy Should not be sole identification source

The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog

The Interview

Learning Disability: Working Challenges Perception Skills Organization Attention Social Skills Emotional Roffman, A. (2003). Working with a learning disability. Presentation to Learning Disabilities Association conference. Chicago, IL

Learning Disability: Working Strengths Creative problem-solving Self-discipline Punctuality & Attendance Attitude Acceptance of criticism Dependability over time

Learning Disability: Trends Increase in multiple disabilities (LD/ADD/Psych) Identification process No Child Left Behind Documentation & Role of informed clinical judgment LD in “bright” people (Bartlett case) Increase in use of technology Universal Design in Instruction Block, L. and Lendman, C. (2003) Trends in learning disabilities: Embracing the future. Presentation to Learning Disabilities Association conference. Chicago, IL.

Useful Information Links AHEAD National Center for Education Statistics ADA LD Info Dept of Education LD Online Learning Disabilities Association CAST ReadPlease Inspiration