1. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Chapter 6 Learning Disabilities

2. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Focus Questions This chapter is designed to answer the following questions: How are students with learning disabilities defined and classified? What are the primary characteristics of students with learning disabilities? How many students are identified with learning disabilities, and what are the major causes? How are students with learning disabilities identified? What principles guide effective instruction for students with learning disabilities? What are prevailing controversial issues related to learning disabilities? 6.1

3. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Chapter Objectives Describe how students with learning disabilities are defined and classified Identify the primary characteristics of students with learning disabilities Explain the prevalence of students with learning disabilities Identify the major causes of learning disabilities Describe how students with learning disabilities are identified Explain the principles that guide effective instruction for students with learning disabilities Explain the prevailing controversial issues related to learning disabilities 6.2

4. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Definitions and Classification Criteria for Learning Disabilities Definition of students with learning disabilities –IDEA definition –Four primary components of the definition 6.3

5. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Definitions and Classification Criteria for Learning Disabilities Classification Criteria for Learning Disabilities –Identification Criteria –IDEA 2004 Changes in Identification Criteria –Response to Intervention 6.4

6. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Primary Characteristics of Students with Learning Disabilities Heterogeneity Academic Difficulties Social and Motivational Problems 6.5

7. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Primary Characteristics of Students with Learning Disabilities Cognitive Skill Deficits –Memory Problems –Attention Problems –Metacognitive Deficits 6.6

8. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Prevalence, Course, and Causal Factors Prevalence The Course of Learning Disabilities 6.7

9. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Prevalence, Course, and Causal Factors Causal Factors –Abnormal Brain Function –Genetic Factors –Lack of Effective Instruction 6.8

10. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Identification and Assessment Discrepancy Model –IQ Tests –Achievement Tests 6.9

11. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Educational Practices Service Delivery Early Intervention 6.10

12. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Educational Practices Classroom Interventions –Big Ideas –Conspicuous Strategies –Mediated Scaffolding –Strategic Integration –Judicious Review –Primed Background Knowledge 6.11

13. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Transition to Adult Life Vocational Support Support in Higher Education 6.12

14. Rosenberg/Westling/McLeskey Special Education for Today’s Teachers: An Introduction Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Prevailing Issues, Controversies, and Implications for the Teacher Is an alternative approach needed to identify students with learning disabilities? Are students with learning disabilities appropriately included in general education classrooms across the United States? 6.13