LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
WHAT
Learning difficulties impact approximately 20-25% of the population. Students with learning difficulties or disorders often do not have a diagnosed disability.
There are a number of specific skill disorders which are generally categorised as impairment in eith reading, mathematics or written expression. These are commonly known as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia.
There are a number of specific skill disorders which are generally categorised as impairment in eith reading, mathematics or written expression. These are commonly known as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia.
WHY
There are a number of factors that will determine whether an individual is more vulnerable to learning difficulties and to what extent this learning difficulty will effect their learning experiences.
These factors include genetics, working memory, behaviour and attention issues, socioeconomic factors, schooling and intervention.
These factors include genetics, working memory, behaviour and attention issues, socioeconomic factors, schooling and intervention.
DYSLEXIA
Neurobiological in origin.
Characterised by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding.
May impact on reading comprehension, growth of vocabulary and background knowledge of topics.
Student often present with poor letter – sound knowledge, difficulty blending and segmenting, delayed speech and language development, difficulty understanding written materials and difficulties with tasks requiring reasonable working memory capacity.
Characterised by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding.
May impact on reading comprehension, growth of vocabulary and background knowledge of topics.
Student often present with poor letter – sound knowledge, difficulty blending and segmenting, delayed speech and language development, difficulty understanding written materials and difficulties with tasks requiring reasonable working memory capacity.
IDEAS TO HELP
Read. A lot. There are all kinds of ways to support your child’s reading. Try some of these ideas:
- Listen to audio books and have your child read along with them.
- Make sure he spends some time reading alone, both quietly and aloud.
- Re-read his favorite books. It may be a little boring for you, but it helps him learn.
- Take turns reading books aloud together.
- Talk about the stories you read together and ask questions like, “What do you think happens next?”
- Use schoolbooks, but you can also branch out into graphic novels and comic books, too. Reading things your child is interested in or excited about can be motivating.
- Use technology. With tablets, smartphones, and computers, you’ll have a lot of helpful tools as your child gets older. Online dictionaries, spell-check, and text-to-speech software can make a big difference in your child’s progress, as long as the assignment allows for their use.
- Keep schoolwork organized. Staying organized is hard when you have dyslexia. Help your child break big tasks into smaller chunks. Then, work together on a system to keep track of schoolwork. For example, you might use different-coloured folders for class notes versus homework, or a giant calendar to keep track of due dates. For older kids, reminders and alarms on smartphones, tablets, and computers can play a role, too.
DYSCALCULIA
Neurobiological in origin.
Students may have difficulty understanding simple number concepts and have problems learning number facts and procedures.
Even when students do produce a correct answer they may do so without confidence or the ability to explain how they came to an answer.
Students often have difficulty recognising printed numbers, decomposing numbers, using counting strategies (such as counting by 2’s and 5’s), have difficulty telling the time, recalling times tables and understanding measurement and spatial relationships.
Students may have difficulty understanding simple number concepts and have problems learning number facts and procedures.
Even when students do produce a correct answer they may do so without confidence or the ability to explain how they came to an answer.
Students often have difficulty recognising printed numbers, decomposing numbers, using counting strategies (such as counting by 2’s and 5’s), have difficulty telling the time, recalling times tables and understanding measurement and spatial relationships.
IDEAS TO HELP
Play With Dominoes
Playing games that use dominoes can help a child more easily understand simple math concepts. Specialist Ronit Bird states that a child should learn to recognize the number patterns on the dominoes and dice instead of counting the individual dots each time. Start by using dominoes and dice by themselves so your child feels comfortable with these objects. Next, find a game your child enjoys that uses these items.
Resist Using Worksheets
Whenever possible, parents should play games with their children to reinforce math facts instead of relying on worksheets. Games are almost always more interesting for kids. They present math as fun challenges to solve instead of boring concepts to memorize. If worksheets are used, it may be necessary to highlight important numbers in the instructions and throughout various problems. Allow your child to use a variety of colored pencils when completing worksheets, as it may help them more easily organize their work.
Use Manipulatives
Seeing and handling a tangible object will help a child better understand the abstract principles of mathematics. Legos and simple blocks can be used to teach addition and subtraction. TheSchoolRun.com suggests using a counter when working with children. Actually covering a certain number of counters with your hands will enable your child to more easily visualize different groups of numbers.
Learn the Language of Math
Parents should encourage their child to talk out loud as they work through a problem or new math concept. Children who struggle with math may have good language skills that could help make the mathematical process easier. It's a good idea for children to learn several synonyms for a variety of math terms. For example, when discussing addition problems they could use terms such as "plus," "increase" and "more than." Explain basic terms to your child and allow them to talk about each definition, describing what it means in their own words.
Create Visual Models
While this is similar to using manipulatives, creating visual models can expand beyond working with basic handheld objects. Understood.org advises moving around large objects in a room or drawing pictures to vividly explain aspects of math problems. Even simple household objects such as different colored socks or pairs of shoes can be used to teach addition and subtraction.
Use Accommodations
Accommodations can include everything from circling keywords in math sentences to giving your child extra paper to work out math problems. You should also discuss with your child's teacher accommodations that can be implemented at school. A few include extra time given for tests and access to a math resource room if one is available. The school may also allow a child with dyscalculia to use a calculator when working on daily math problems as well as tests.
Teach Toward Understanding
While learning math can be broken into sections, it's always a good idea to have the end goal in mind. Memorizing facts -- such as multiplication tables -- is a good idea, but simply memorizing facts won't always lead to real understanding of a math concept or process. Start by instructing your child to reason through a problem using logic instead of rote memorization. It's also a good idea to memorize a few basic strategies that have wide application.
Playing games that use dominoes can help a child more easily understand simple math concepts. Specialist Ronit Bird states that a child should learn to recognize the number patterns on the dominoes and dice instead of counting the individual dots each time. Start by using dominoes and dice by themselves so your child feels comfortable with these objects. Next, find a game your child enjoys that uses these items.
Resist Using Worksheets
Whenever possible, parents should play games with their children to reinforce math facts instead of relying on worksheets. Games are almost always more interesting for kids. They present math as fun challenges to solve instead of boring concepts to memorize. If worksheets are used, it may be necessary to highlight important numbers in the instructions and throughout various problems. Allow your child to use a variety of colored pencils when completing worksheets, as it may help them more easily organize their work.
Use Manipulatives
Seeing and handling a tangible object will help a child better understand the abstract principles of mathematics. Legos and simple blocks can be used to teach addition and subtraction. TheSchoolRun.com suggests using a counter when working with children. Actually covering a certain number of counters with your hands will enable your child to more easily visualize different groups of numbers.
Learn the Language of Math
Parents should encourage their child to talk out loud as they work through a problem or new math concept. Children who struggle with math may have good language skills that could help make the mathematical process easier. It's a good idea for children to learn several synonyms for a variety of math terms. For example, when discussing addition problems they could use terms such as "plus," "increase" and "more than." Explain basic terms to your child and allow them to talk about each definition, describing what it means in their own words.
Create Visual Models
While this is similar to using manipulatives, creating visual models can expand beyond working with basic handheld objects. Understood.org advises moving around large objects in a room or drawing pictures to vividly explain aspects of math problems. Even simple household objects such as different colored socks or pairs of shoes can be used to teach addition and subtraction.
Use Accommodations
Accommodations can include everything from circling keywords in math sentences to giving your child extra paper to work out math problems. You should also discuss with your child's teacher accommodations that can be implemented at school. A few include extra time given for tests and access to a math resource room if one is available. The school may also allow a child with dyscalculia to use a calculator when working on daily math problems as well as tests.
Teach Toward Understanding
While learning math can be broken into sections, it's always a good idea to have the end goal in mind. Memorizing facts -- such as multiplication tables -- is a good idea, but simply memorizing facts won't always lead to real understanding of a math concept or process. Start by instructing your child to reason through a problem using logic instead of rote memorization. It's also a good idea to memorize a few basic strategies that have wide application.
DYSGRAPHIA
Neurobiological in origin.
Characterised by difficulties with spelling and organising written text.
May impact on use of punctuation and capital letters.
Can occur alone or with other Specific Learning Disorders such as Dyslexia.
Students often present with much higher reading ability as opposed to writing. They will have difficulty learning basic sentence structure and grammar rules, may confue letter formation and have poor handwriting.
Characterised by difficulties with spelling and organising written text.
May impact on use of punctuation and capital letters.
Can occur alone or with other Specific Learning Disorders such as Dyslexia.
Students often present with much higher reading ability as opposed to writing. They will have difficulty learning basic sentence structure and grammar rules, may confue letter formation and have poor handwriting.
IDEAS TO HELP
Start cross-body training.
For a child to write properly, both sides of his body need to work together: One arm holds the paper stable. The other does the actual pencil work. Any activity that encourages coordinated movement on both sides of the body provides good reinforcement. This includes crafts that use scissors: One hand holds, the other cuts. Physical exercises that require cross-body coordination are helpful, too. See if your child will give windmills, jumping jacks, touching alternate toes, and mountain climbers a whirl before sitting down to write.
Work on keyboarding skills. Using a keyboard instead of paper and pencil can be a great way to motivate a reluctant writer to express his thoughts and ideas.
Practice “organized” storytelling.
Kids with dysgraphia often have trouble organizing their thoughts. You can help your child by practicing structured storytelling. At bedtime, ask him to tell you about his day. Have him start with an introduction, like “Today was Thursday and boy, was it a busy day for me and my friends.” Ask him to describe what he did in the morning, the afternoon and the evening. Then he can wrap things up with how the day went overall. You can use this approach with just about any experience your child wants to share with you.
Speak it first.
Kids with dysgraphia may be brimming with great ideas. But putting those ideas into written words can be a frustrating hurdle for them. Encourage your child to record himself (on a smartphone or other device) while he talks through his thoughts or the story he’d like to tell. He can then play the recording back when he sits down to write. This can be a helpful and confidence-boosting tool. Use speech-to-text tools. Dragon NaturallySpeaking and Sound Note are good examples of speech recognition software. These tools allow your child’s work to be dictated orally and automatically translated to text.
Use alternatives to written assignments such as answering questions orally for you to scribe, recording answers via iPad or similar. Always check with your child’s teacher first!
Check for Proper Handwriting Position
Since so many kids with dysgraphia have incorrect writing posture and pencil grip, it’s important to establish proper handwriting position before attempting to address specific penmanship concerns. The graphic below is a handy guide for evaluating your child’s handwriting position.
For a child to write properly, both sides of his body need to work together: One arm holds the paper stable. The other does the actual pencil work. Any activity that encourages coordinated movement on both sides of the body provides good reinforcement. This includes crafts that use scissors: One hand holds, the other cuts. Physical exercises that require cross-body coordination are helpful, too. See if your child will give windmills, jumping jacks, touching alternate toes, and mountain climbers a whirl before sitting down to write.
Work on keyboarding skills. Using a keyboard instead of paper and pencil can be a great way to motivate a reluctant writer to express his thoughts and ideas.
Practice “organized” storytelling.
Kids with dysgraphia often have trouble organizing their thoughts. You can help your child by practicing structured storytelling. At bedtime, ask him to tell you about his day. Have him start with an introduction, like “Today was Thursday and boy, was it a busy day for me and my friends.” Ask him to describe what he did in the morning, the afternoon and the evening. Then he can wrap things up with how the day went overall. You can use this approach with just about any experience your child wants to share with you.
Speak it first.
Kids with dysgraphia may be brimming with great ideas. But putting those ideas into written words can be a frustrating hurdle for them. Encourage your child to record himself (on a smartphone or other device) while he talks through his thoughts or the story he’d like to tell. He can then play the recording back when he sits down to write. This can be a helpful and confidence-boosting tool. Use speech-to-text tools. Dragon NaturallySpeaking and Sound Note are good examples of speech recognition software. These tools allow your child’s work to be dictated orally and automatically translated to text.
Use alternatives to written assignments such as answering questions orally for you to scribe, recording answers via iPad or similar. Always check with your child’s teacher first!
Check for Proper Handwriting Position
Since so many kids with dysgraphia have incorrect writing posture and pencil grip, it’s important to establish proper handwriting position before attempting to address specific penmanship concerns. The graphic below is a handy guide for evaluating your child’s handwriting position.