2. Learning Difficulties Helen McLeod October 2008

3. One Definition of a Learning Difficulty A learning difficulty occurs when there are very large differences between a person’s learning strengths and weaknesses so that the weaknesses seem to continually get in the way and prevent the individual from demonstrating his/her strengths.

4. Learning difficulties

5. If they can’t learn the way we teach, we’d better teach the way they learn.

6. Learning Styles Visual AuditoryKinesthetic

7. Attention Deficit Deficit Disorders Disorders

8. Attention Deficit Disorders  Can’t block out noise or visual distractions  Blocks out distractions too completely - doesn’t see or hear interjection.  Can’t sustain attention - becomes easily bored or tired.  Can’t remember oral instructions.  Difficulty prioritizing.  Tendency to daydream.

9. Visual Processing Problems

11. Auditory Processing Problems

12. Interpreting & Reasoning (Perceptual) Problems

16. If you think your student has a learning difficulty... TELL him/her! Be careful to use words like “I think. or maybe” He/She may be very relieved to know that they are not stupid!

17. The Most Important Principles when working with a student who has a learning difficulty are to: help the student understand his difficulty teach to the student’s dominant learning style focus on the student’s strengths give extra time review regularly and consistently help find compensating strategies provide optimal learning environment help the student learn how to learn tap into the help available in the office!

19. Q uestions?Q uestions?