LEARNING DISABILITY

CAUSES OF ACADEMIC UNDER ACHIEVEMENT a) SENSORY DEFICITS b) POOR INTELLECTUAL FUNCTIONING c) POOR MOTIVATION d) DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS (LEARNING DISORDER) e) OTHER PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS f) FAMILY PATHOLOGY

L.D CONT…. Learning Disorder- ? Learning Difficulty is not Primarily Due to: VISUAL DIS ; HEARING DIS; MOTOR DIS; M.R; OTHER PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS; CULTURAL / ECONOMIC / ENVIRONMENTAL DISADVANTAGES

HISTORICAL ASPECTS  1887 – DYSLEXIA – MEANING BAD IN WORDS  1940 – STRAUSS – BRAIN INJURED CHILDREN  1960 – CLEMENTS – MINIMAL BRAIN DYSFUNCTION  LATER – DYSLEXIA, DYSGRAPHIA DYSCALCULIA  1963 – PROF.SAMUEL KIRK – COINED THE TERM LEARNING DISABILITIES  FIRST TIME – IN AN EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE  LATER – RENAMED – SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES  PROF. KIRK – ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED – ‘UNEXPECTED ACADEMIC UNDER ACHIEVEMENT’

L.D CONT…. IMPAREMENT IN ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING SEVEN CORE SKILLS 1.ORAL EXPRESSION 2.LISTENING COMPREHENSION 3.WRITTEN EXPRESSION 4.READING SKILLS 5.READING COMPREHENSION 6.MATHS- CALCULATION 7.MATHS REASONING

NEURONS

NEURONS Abnormal neurodevelopment- Collection of more unhealthy neurons

NEURONS Errors of migration

NEURONS Abnormal synaptogenesis

NEURONS Undeveloped neuron

L.D CONTD LT BRAIN SKILLS 1.LOGICAL MATHEMATICAL INTELLIGENCE 2.LINGUISTIC INTELLIGENCE RT BRAIN SKILLS 1.MUSICAL INTELLIGENCE 2.SPATIAL INTELLIGENCE 3.BODILY – KINESTHETIC INTELLIGENCE

CHARACTERISTICS OF R.D Generally reluctant for loud reading Repeating words, Spell out letters, Omitting words, Difficulty in pronouncing certain syllabus, Ignoring punctuation etc..

SPELLING Poor Reading Skill Poor spelling Spelling mistakes stem from errors in memory & discrimination (auditory & visual)

WRITING oTool for communication oSkill and means of self expression

L.D CONTD. Errors Slowness, Incorrect direction & slanting poor spacing, illegible letters, messiness, faulty holding & pencil pressure Mirror writing, Wrong position of writing paper, Punctuation error, Omission, Addition, Over writing etc…

L.D CONTD. Arithmetics  Pre school Difficulty in sorting objects by size, matching objects  Elementary school Lack of computational skill

L.D CONTD. Middle & Upper grades:- Problems with fractions, decimals, measurements, additions, subtractions, multiplications, divisions etc.. Wrong operation, errors in recalling, defective algorithm, random response etc..

Basically 3 Types of Learning a)Visual b)Auditory c)Kinesthetic

L.D CONTD Reading 1. Encourage loud reading – Any error correct it then it self. Next day repeat the same 2. Improve basic sight words.

L.D CONTD. Writing 1. Square note book 2. Hand writing practice 3. Pencil grip 4. Behavioral chart to improve speed

ARITHMETIC Games Weave maths into daily life Rhymes & songs Stories Tables - by heart

END OF SESSION - 1

L.D.CONTD 1. Comorbid Conditions 2. Famous persons with Dyslexia

COMORBID CONDITIONS 1. ADHD 2. Other developmental disorders (M.C.D, E.L.D) 3. Phobias 4. Anx. Dis. 5. Depression 6. Obsession 7. Childhood Neurotic traits 8. Epilepsy etc..

A.D.H.D  5 – 10% of children  50% - co-occurrence  Developmental Neuro Behavioral Dis.  Most researched area in child psychiatry

TRIAD OF SYMPTOMS o In attention Poor concentration o Hyperactivity In ability to sit still o Impulsivity Act before thinking

Famous persons with L.D Albert Einstein:- Theory of Relativity Thomas Edison :- Electric bulb Phonograph etc… Alexander Graham Bell – Telephone Richard Branson :- Adventurist (Verginia Air ways) Walt Disney :- Cartoonist

Famous Dyslexics Contd. Winston Churchil :- British P.M (Historian, Artist, Author) George Washington :- U.S.President Jackie Stewart :- Grand Prix Driver Tom Cruise :- Actor Guy Ritchie :- Film Director Larry Baker: - Architect

DISABILITIES o BLINDNESS o LOW VISION o HEARING IMPAREMENT o MOTOR DISABILITY o M.R (Learning Disability U.K) o CHRONIC MENTAL ILLNESS o TREATED & CURED LEPROSY

L.D.Contd. a) In India Learning Disorder is not a disability included in P.D.Act 95. b) So disability certificate (in %) cannot be issued. c) In U.K - M.R = Learning Disability d) Use international terminology - Learning Disorder or Dyslexia.

Various Systems (School) 1. State – regular & open 2. NIOS Acredited centres in every district. Registration valid for 5 years Credit accumulation, transfer etc… Validity – 5years 3. CBSE. ICSE All systems – Consider L.D

POINTS TO REMEMBER LD Children Fluctuate in their Performance. Parents/ Teachers’ expectations should be within their capabilities. Reduce distraction in study area. Cue the child to stay on task.

Set short goals Break long assignments into smaller parts. Avoid teaching at frustration level. Approach –interesting & motivating. Repetition is the mother of learning.

Acknowledge positive behavior. Parents – Be firm and consistent. Provide seat breaks. Practice attention / finger cordination. Look for skills, not skill deficits.

Parents, teachers & therapists work together Consult mental health Professionals. Use medications when and where required.

F C BY PARENTS He has the ability, if he just tried harder he could do it. He chooses not to do. If he would just pay attention, he would get it. After I give instructions he sits there and stares at his paper he is not motivated.

“IF I CAN’T FOLLOW THE COMMON METHOD OF TEACHING, PLEASE HELP ME TO FOLLOW THE SPECIAL STYLE” LD Child

“EDUCATION IS THE MANIFESTATION OF KNOWLEDGE ALREADY INHERENT IN MAN.” Swami Vivekananda