Learning Disabilities

Modification: Controlling Attention

Controlling extraneous stimuli in the environment

Controlling desired behaviors

Using more than one sensory modality

Dysgraphia-a condition where children may have difficulty writing. It is a sensory processing disorder. Interventions for Dysgraphia include the development of fine motor skills.

Activities to Improve Fine Motor Coordination

The Child develop better control of fine movements in the hand.

- Playing with small fridge magnets. The child can arrange m in a line, circle or any other shape.

- Making shapes with matchsticks - Making a tower with coins - On a piece of paper, draw small

circles. The child is asked to place one stone inside each circle.

- Pouring liquids into small containers

Dyslexia -is a learning disability that is neurologically based. It can affect reading, spelling, speech, mathematics and writing skills. Dyslexia is not a disorder based on intelligence. People who are dyslexic are often of average intelligence or above average intelligence.

Examples of Dyslexia Games Scrabble Crossword puzzles Dice (Good for students with math difficulties)

- In this game each student rolls a set of dice. The goal of the game is to get the highest role. The student tutor should let the dyslexic student add the total of the dice roll.

Letter art - In this game the students make drawings out of letters. Each student draws a letter and turns the letter into a piece of art by adding other marks to it. For instance, the child can draw the letter "Q" and add lines to turn the "Q" into a picture of the sun.

Dyscalculia-Commonly referred to as the math learning disability, dyscalculia is a set of learning differences affecting each person differently in school and abroad as a result of brain injury.

o Real examples must be provided. For example, use physical items to teach addition and subtraction.

o Break up problems into various stages and make sure the child understands a step before going on to the next one.

o Practice makes a man perfect. Encourage the child to repeat tasks and problems and do so independently.

o Encourage the child to deal with numbers and their explanations.

o Keep challenging the child with new problems and procedures.

o Play as many math games to review concepts and procedures. A popular game is Touch Math that uses multi-sensory approach to learn mathematics.

Dyspraxia-has problems with movement and

coordination. It is also known as "motor

learning disability". Somebody with

dyspraxia finds it hard to carry out

smooth and coordinated movements.

Dyspraxia often comes with language

problems, and sometimes a degree of

difficulty with perception and thought

All people with dyspraxia need help practicing simple tasks and can benefit from step-by-step progress into more complex activities. Encouraging easy physical activities that develop coordination can increase confidence. It is also important to encourage friendships to broaden a person's experience and understanding of social relationships

Steps Used In Cognitive Behaviour Modification

The teacher models or shows the students how to correctly complete a task and also verbalized the process being followed.“John, watch and listen as he solve this addition

problem that requires carrying”

o The students complete a task similar to the one the teacher just solved following those teacher’s instruction.“ John, add the two numbers in the units column.

Write the answer for the units in that column, and write the partner of the number that belongs in the ten’s column. And the number in the Ten’s column. Write

the answer.

The students whisper the steps to follow when performing a similar task.“John speaks quietly as he provides himself with

the steps to follow , to solve a similar addition problem.

Physical education -also requires a lot of memorizing

information. Each sport or activity has a different set of rules that students need to remember. For students with learning disabilities, they have a hard time memorizing and remembering information.

Jennifer L. Balaba3rd Year

BSED Mapeh