1. Helping Learners with Learning Disabilities Ros Lugg

2. Key principles Be aware of individual needs Be aware of individual needs Be aware of intellectual level Be aware of intellectual level Choose materials carefully Choose materials carefully Use multi-sensory methods where possible Use multi-sensory methods where possible Incorporate a variety of materials/approaches Incorporate a variety of materials/approaches Provide plenty of reinforcement Provide plenty of reinforcement Use assistive technology/software appropriately Use assistive technology/software appropriately

3. Using existing strengths “Between 30 and 35% of all learners learn visually and between 15-20% are tactile- kinaesthetic learners”. “Between 30 and 35% of all learners learn visually and between 15-20% are tactile- kinaesthetic learners”.

4. Many learners with learning difficulties learn best by: using pictures rather than words using pictures rather than words seeing concrete examples of what the finished version or product might look like seeing concrete examples of what the finished version or product might look like knowing the object/end goal of the work before beginning knowing the object/end goal of the work before beginning

5. visualising scenes, characters and actions as they read about them visualising scenes, characters and actions as they read about them finding visual clues in texts (charts, graphs, photographs) finding visual clues in texts (charts, graphs, photographs) using artistic means to express what they learn using artistic means to express what they learn hands-on activities hands-on activities

6. creative dramatics – acting out stories or events creative dramatics – acting out stories or events learning by ‘trying out’ rather than being told learning by ‘trying out’ rather than being told word-processing rather than hand-writing word-processing rather than hand-writing learning or creating raps, rhythms, rhymes or jingles learning or creating raps, rhythms, rhymes or jingles

7. Compensatory Tools Word processor Word processor Dictaphone or PDA Dictaphone or PDA Spellchecker Spellchecker Laptop Laptop Reading/scanning pens Reading/scanning pens Speech recognition software Speech recognition software Voice activated software Voice activated software

8. Touch typing Practical benefit – speed, spellcheckers, editing facilities Practical benefit – speed, spellcheckers, editing facilities Fine motor/neurological benefits Fine motor/neurological benefits Kinaesthetic memory Kinaesthetic memory

9. Memory processes Attention and selection Attention and selection Encoding Encoding Storage and maintainance Storage and maintainance Retrieval Retrieval

10. Attention and selection Choose and attend to relevant stimuli Choose and attend to relevant stimuli Focus Focus Select key ideas and facts Select key ideas and facts

11. Encoding Translating incoming information into a mental representation which can be stored in memory Translating incoming information into a mental representation which can be stored in memory

12. How? Multi-media presentations – particularly good for learners with auditory processing difficulties Multi-media presentations – particularly good for learners with auditory processing difficulties Mind Maps – activate visual and semantic memory Mind Maps – activate visual and semantic memory

14. Recitation Saying information out loud - creates an auditory memory Saying information out loud - creates an auditory memory Helps to transfer information to LTM Helps to transfer information to LTM Activates more electrical muscle movement messages, strengthening neural pathways Activates more electrical muscle movement messages, strengthening neural pathways

15. Rote learning Form of auditory rehearsal Form of auditory rehearsal Develops auditory ‘pattern’ Develops auditory ‘pattern’ Transfers information to LTM Transfers information to LTM

16. Storage Categorization is important Categorization is important ‘Filing system’ needed ‘Filing system’ needed

17. (Tony Buzan Use Your Head, 1995)

27. Attention and selection Attention and selection Encoding Encoding Storage Storage Maintainance Maintainance Retrieval Retrieval