1. We All Learn Differently:
Facts, tips, and tools for addressing special needs
PowerPoint created by Kelsey Madges

2. I want to know more about:
Auditory Processing Disorder:
What is it?
Tips for parents
Tips for educators
Tips for students
Helping hands
Learning more
Dysgraphia:
What is it?
Tips for parents
Tips for educators
Tips for students
Helping hands
Learning more
Asperger Syndrome:
What is it?
Tips for parents
Tips for educators
Tips for students
Helping hands
Learning more
*Disclaimer*

3. Auditory Processing Disorder
What is it?
Individuals with auditory processing disorders may have normal hearing and intelligence but do not properly process auditory cues; something goes awry between hearing information and processing it in the brain.
Auditory processing disorders can range from mild to severe and can co-exist with other difficulties, such as ADHD.

4. Auditory Processing Disorder
What is it?
Signs and symptoms of auditory processing disorder can include:
Trouble paying attention and processing information presented orally
Problems carrying out multi-step directions
Poor listening skills
Needing more time to process information
Low academic performance
Behavior problems
Language difficulty
Difficulty with reading, spelling, comprehension, and vocabulary

5. Auditory Processing Disorder
Tips for parents:
Reduce background noise.
Have your child look at you when you’re speaking.
Use simple, expressive sentences.
Speak at a slightly slower rate and at a mildly increased volume.
Make sure your child understands your directions and isn’t just copying your words.
Build your child’s self esteem.
Ask your child to repeat directions to you and to keep repeating them until the directions are completed.
Provide your child with a quiet study place.
Maintain a peaceful, organized lifestyle.
Encourage good eating and sleeping habits.
Assign regular, realistic chores, including keeping a neat room and desk.

6. Auditory Processing Disorder
Tips for educators:
Provide verbal directions in written form as well (on a card, on the board).
Minimize background noise in the classroom (radios, etc.)
Avoid classrooms near a cafeteria, band room, gym, etc.
Keep words as simple and direct as possible.
Send important material home so parents may review it with their child.
Use as many visual aids and cues as possible.
Allow time for processing of oral answers.
Work closely with the parents to support their child’s learning.

7. Auditory Processing Disorder
Tips for students:
Put information in categories.
Group information I have to learn into chunks that make sense to you.
Practice solving riddles.
Ask the teacher to slow down if information is coming too quickly.
Ask the teacher for another form of directions or information if you need it.

8. Auditory Processing Disorder
Helping hands:
Intervention software:
Earobics
LocoTour Media
Auditory trainers:
auditory devices that allow a person to focus attention on a speaker and helps tune out background noise

9. Auditory Processing Disorder
Learning more:
NIDCD: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Auditory Processing Disorder in Children
KidsHealth
Central Auditory Processing Disorder
NYU Child Study Center
LD OnLine
Auditory Processing Order in Children

10. Asperger Syndrome What is it?
Asperger Syndrome is considered to be an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as well as a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD).
It is characterized by some degree of impairment in language or communication skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought or behavior.

11. Asperger Syndrome What is it?
Signs and symptoms of Asperger Syndrome include:
Speech might be stilted or repetitive
Conversations revolve around self
Voice tends to be flat and void of emotion
Obsession with complex topics (i.e. patterns, weather, music, history)
Often described as eccentric
Lacking in common sense
Thinking is very concrete (as opposed to abstract)
Tendency to be physically clumsy or awkward
Difficulty reading social cues and recognizing other people’s feelings

12. Asperger Syndrome Tips for parents:
Look for education or training programs for parents to learn the best ways to help your child.
Teach your child self-help skills.
Make sure to communicate with others about your child’s special needs; they may not be as obvious as with other disorders.
Look for treatment options and programs that focus on long-term outcomes.
Balance your child’s needs with those of other family members.
Find support for yourself when necessary. Look for local resource and support groups.

13. Asperger Syndrome Tips for educators:
Avoid abstract ideas when possible; and use visual cues, gestures, and written words when you must deal in abstractions.
Students may be quite literal, until you know a student’s level of understanding you should avoid using:
Idioms
Double meanings
Sarcasm
Nicknames
Be as concrete as possible and be aware that the student may not be able to read your social cues (body language, tone of voice, etc.)
Break a difficult task into smaller steps or represent it in different ways (i.e. visually, vocally, physically).
Be sensitive to social issues when putting students in pairs or groups; if left to their own devices these students may not end up with a partner.

14. Asperger Syndrome Tips for students:
Ask an adult to help you practice how to behave in a new situation.
Get moving! Exercise helps you play more.
Have a schedule to refer to so you know what is coming next.
Repeat instructions to an adult so you both know you understand them.
Work with an adult to establish a safe place you can go to if you are feeling overwhelmed and need a break.

15. Asperger Syndrome Helping hands: Software Hardware
Gaining Face: Facial Recognition Software
Inspiration
Hardware
AlphaSmart 3000

16. Asperger Syndrome Learning more: KidsHealth MAAP Services
All about Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Related Developmental Disorders
Center for the Study of Autism
Asperger’s Syndrome
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Asperger Syndrome Fact Sheet
Yale Developmental Disabilities Clinic
Asperger’s Syndrome Guidelines for Treatment and Intervention
O.A.S.I.S. Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support
What is Asperger Syndrome?

17. Dysgraphia
What is it?
Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing abilities.
Dysgraphia may manifest itself through difficulties with spelling, handwriting, and putting thoughts on paper.
Dysgraphia can also result in producing incorrect words when writing.
Dysgraphia is a processing problem and may overlap with other learning disabilities.

18. Dysgraphia What is it? Signs and symptoms of dysgraphia include:
Tight, awkward pencil grip and body position
Illegible handwriting
Avoiding writing or drawing tasks
Tiring quickly while writing
Saying words out loud while writing
Unfinished or omitted words in sentences
Difficulty organizing thoughts on paper
Difficulty with syntax structure and grammar
Large gap between written ideas and understanding demonstrated through speech

19. Dysgraphia Tips for parents:
Assist your child in using a computer to type assignments when possible.
Help your child break homework tasks requiring writing into manageable pieces.
Communicate with your child’s teacher to find out what kind of writing utensils and paper you should have at home to assist with homework and other writing tasks.
Communicate with your child’s teacher so you might duplicate the accommodations being made for your child at school.
Manage your schedule so that you leave your child plenty of time to complete homework (or any writing) tasks.

20. Dysgraphia Tips for educators:
Allow students to use print or cursive writing; whichever is more comfortable.
Provide large graph paper for math assignments; the rows and columns make it easier to keep numbers properly aligned.
Provide an alternative to writing, especially long assignments, when possible.
When students do write, encourage proper pencil grip and posture.
Timed assignments should not be judged on neatness or spelling.
Allow plenty of time for assignments which must be written.
Encourage students to complete writing assignments in a series of small steps.
Encourage the use of a spell checker. Students can spell check written work for each other.

21. Dysgraphia Tips for students:
Put ideas together and consider how you want your assignment to look before you start to write.
Organize your thoughts and ideas.
Create an outline or graphic organizer to make sure all your ideas are included.
List key thoughts and words you’ll use for an assignment before you write.
Learn to use a word processor and complete assignments with it when possible.
See if you can use an audio recorder to help with note taking. You can also get your pre-writing thoughts down in an audio recording.

22. Dysgraphia Helping hands: Software:
Microsoft Word or similar word processing program
Inspiration
Voice recognition tools

23. Dysgraphia Learning more: National Center for Learning Disabilities
Dysgraphia: A Quick Look
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Dysgraphia Information Page
LD OnLine
What is Dysgraphia

24. Disclaimer
Information for this presentation was gathered from the resources listed on the “Learning more” slides.
If you are concerned by any symptoms your child is exhibiting, please contact your family doctor.