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eLearning Series: Learning Disabilities
The Bottom Line On Learning Disabilities
( 50 articles in this series )
Kids
with Learning Disabilities:
A Teacher’s Perspective
For
a teacher, handling a child with a learning disability
can be more than a challenge. There are so many
kids in the classroom and having to deal with constant interruptions
from an LD child due to frustration or lack of concentration
can be disturbing to all. How a teacher handles the challenge
of a learning disabled student is individual. It is much better
for a teacher to accommodate their personal style for one that
better suits the needs of the LD child. This will keep the
child’s attention longer and keep frustration and behavior
issues to a minimum. One must be patient and remember that
the LD child doe not like to behave in a negative manner. They
cannot express themselves sometimes like their peers. Teachers
must have knowledge for what to expect from the child. Talk
with the parents to find out the child’s needs prior to starting
the school year. This will better prepare you for what to expect
and what accommodations are required.
Ask
if the child has problems with misbehaving. What are the
child’s triggers so you can intervene prior to the catastrophe?
Many LD students cannot express themselves verbally and will
act out inappropriately to let off steam. Get ideas from the
parents what they do to ward off negative behavior, ask the
school counselor for suggestions as well. It is important that
a teacher teaches a child self-management and control as well
as reading, writing, and arithmetic. If the child is easily
distracted, ask how to best keep his or her attention. Ask
in what type of environment the child learns best, must it
be very quiet or does the child need background noise. Find
out if he or she is better with small groups of kids sitting
close together or does better when sitting close to the teacher
and away from others. You want to promote the child to be able
to do his or her best. You will want to find out in advance
if the child has problems with sitting still. A fidgety child
cannot only be distracting to the other students but to the
teacher as well. Make sure you allow time for physical movement
through out the day this will benefit all kids.
For
a child with a learning disability, the teacher can seem
like the bad guy if they are constantly being punished. Remember
that they don’t understand what is wrong and just know they
are frustrated. Don’t punish the child or scold them in front
of their peers. This will not make matters better and the child
will learn to fear you. This could cause them to act out more.
Find out what works to keep the child engaged in learning and
even send him or her on “special” errands to the office or
other classrooms to let them stretch their legs in a non-disruptive
way. Be available or have teacher’s assistants or parents to
help in the classroom. This will give you time to spend with
an LD child who might be too embarrassed to ask for help. Make
sure you ask the child if he or she understands or to tell
you what the assignment means. This will offer some discrete
time with the child while the volunteers or TA is helping other
children. LD children will work hard and want to succeed. If
a teacher makes sure they comprehend what is expected the child
will give 150%.
Know
what the child’s weaknesses are so you can help them overcome
them appropriately and with little frustration. Make
room to give them extra time to complete the work if need be
and make testing accommodating. This will cut down on the child’s
anxiety and help keep them focused and calm. Make sure all
tests are conducted from the intellectual method that best
suits the child’s needs. A verbal test might be a better choice
for some LD children. Testing might also have to be done in
private. Know your LD students strengths as well. You want
to give them things that encourage interest and build self-esteem.
The higher the self-esteem of the learning disabled child the
better they will tackle challenging ideas and work. Praise
them often for a job well done. This will make them want to
work hard to please you. Having a child with a learning disability
can be a blessing to a classroom and not just a challenge.
They add flare and a special dynamic to any class. Being a
teacher means making a difference to a child. Make a difference
and give a good foundation to an LD child.
# # # # #
by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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