Learning disabilities are a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to acquire, process, and express information. They are neurologically-based and intrinsic to the individual, meaning they are not caused by intellectual disabilities, sensory impairments, emotional disturbances, or environmental factors.

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Key characteristics of learning disabilities include:

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• Difficulties with reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information.

• Discrepancy between a person's apparent capacity to learn and their actual level of achievement.

•  Lifelong conditions that can affect learning and performance in various areas of life.

• Often run in families and co-occur with other disorders like ADHD.

 

Some common types of learning disabilities include:

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• Dyslexia - difficulty with reading 

• Dysgraphia - difficulty with writing

• Dyscalculia - difficulty with math

• Auditory processing disorder - difficulty processing auditory information

• Visual processing disorder - difficulty processing visual information

 

Learning disabilities are not the same as intellectual disabilities or learning difficulties. People with learning disabilities have average to above-average intelligence, but their brain processes information differently.  Learning difficulties can be caused by external factors like poor instruction or lack of exposure to necessary curricula.

 

Early identification and evidence-based interventions tailored to the individual's needs are crucial for helping people with learning disabilities succeed academically and in life. Accommodations, assistive technologies, and teaching strategies that play to their strengths can help them overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

 

To effectively meet the core needs of students with learning disabilities in numeracy and literacy, consider the following strategies:

 

Individualized Instruction and Support:

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• Provide one-on-one or small group instruction to address specific learning needs.

• Break down complex skills into smaller, manageable steps.

• Offer scaffolding and additional practice opportunities to consolidate understanding.

 

Multisensory and Hands-On Approaches:

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• Use concrete materials, visual aids, and manipulatives to support learning.

• Incorporate movement, music, and touch to reinforce concepts.

• Engage students in interactive games and activities.

 

Explicit Instruction and Modeling:

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• Teach math vocabulary and language explicitly.

• Model  problem-solving strategies and thinking processes.

• Provide step-by-step demonstrations of skills and concepts.

 

Opportunities for Practice and Feedback:

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• Offer frequent opportunities for practice and repetition.

• Provide immediate, specific feedback to guide learning.

• Incorporate games and activities to reinforce skills in an engaging ways.

 

Accommodations and Assistive Technology:

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• Provide accommodations like extended time, reduced distractions, and alternative formats.

• Utilise assistive technologies like text-to-speech, graphic organisers, and math apps.

 

By implementing these strategies, educators can create a supportive and inclusive learning environment that addresses the diverse needs of students with learning disabilities in math and English classrooms.

 

The key is to provide explicit, multisensory instruction, offer ample opportunities for practice and feedback, and collaborate with families and support staff to ensure student success.