Learning Disabilities &Learning Disabilities &Attention Deficit DisorderAttention Deficit Disorder

bybyBonnie MillerBonnie Miller

(Please continue to click on the pages to see the (Please continue to click on the pages to see the slide show)slide show)

PreviewPreview

What are What are Learning DisabilitiesLearning Disabilities??– What are the symptoms? How does it feel?What are the symptoms? How does it feel?– How does it affect children in school and in How does it affect children in school and in

other aspects of their lives?other aspects of their lives?

What is What is Attention Deficit Attention Deficit DisorderDisorder??– Symptoms, socio-emotional effectsSymptoms, socio-emotional effects

What can teachers do to help What can teachers do to help these kids?these kids?

What are your questions?What are your questions?

What do you want to What do you want to know about LD or ADDknow about LD or ADD??

Inquiry-based learningInquiry-based learning

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Why did I start this project?Why did I start this project?

There are so many kids with LD There are so many kids with LD and ADHD, but very little and ADHD, but very little knowledge about it.knowledge about it.

If this video and teacher guide If this video and teacher guide can help one teacher to help can help one teacher to help one child, one child, it will be worth it!it will be worth it!

Learning DisabilitiesLearning Disabilities

Learning Disabilities are Learning Disabilities are NOT mental retardationNOT mental retardation

MisdiagnosisMisdiagnosis

Neurological problemNeurological problem

Inconsistencies in Inconsistencies in abilities & performanceabilities & performance

Learning Disabilities and Learning Disabilities and Social/Emotional ProblemsSocial/Emotional Problems

LD is not LD is not causedcaused by emotional by emotional problems or trauma.problems or trauma.

But Learning Disabilities are But Learning Disabilities are living living disabilitiesdisabilities and can cause problems in and can cause problems in:--social relationships--social relationships

--emotions --emotions anxiety, depression, self-esteem, somatizinganxiety, depression, self-esteem, somatizing

--family--family

MasksMasks to cover LD to cover LD

How does it feel to have LD?How does it feel to have LD?

“I still get very defensive..and am afraid to ask questions in fear that I will be wrong. Every teacher should remember their worst class when they were in school and realize that that’s how LD kids feel all the time.”

Visual ProblemsVisual Problems“To a dyslexic, a sentence is worse than Egyptian hieroglyphics.”

Auditory ProblemsAuditory Problems slow auditory processing

difficulty understanding what they hear

And now the video!

Attention Deficit DisorderAttention Deficit Disorder

Chronic, pervasiveChronic, pervasive NeurologicalNeurological Not caused by traumaNot caused by trauma Starts before age 7Starts before age 7 Not associated with IQNot associated with IQ

DistractibilityDistractibilityinternal & external

HyperactivityHyperactivityin some children

ImpulsivityImpulsivity

Social & Emotional ConsequencesSocial & Emotional Consequences

Social Social These symptoms of ADD may cause problems in

social relationships:

distractible, disorganized, “out in space”

failure to follow through, doesn’t understand directionsimpulsive, risky behaviorinterrupts, doesn’t think before actinglow frustration tolerance, wants everything NOWsometimes argumentative, emotionally immature, reactive

Emotional Problems from life experiencesEmotional Problems from life experiencesanxiety, depression, low self-esteem

Strategies for TeachersStrategies for Teachers

You are important!You are important!

Classroom ClimateClassroom Climate

Making a DifferenceMaking a Difference

Investment in the Investment in the childchild

Helping the Special Needs ChildHelping the Special Needs Child

Consider the Consider the whole childwhole child.. Every child learns in his own Every child learns in his own

way.way.Identify the best learning style for the Identify the best learning style for the special needs child.special needs child.Use multiple modalities.Use multiple modalities.

IndividualizeIndividualize Use the child’s Use the child’s strengthsstrengths.. Build Build self-esteemself-esteem.. MotivateMotivate learning. learning. Provide Provide structurestructure.. Teamwork with Teamwork with parentsparents

Now it’s your turn!Now it’s your turn!

Brainstorm Brainstorm your own your own suggestionssuggestions

Discussion and Discussion and QuestionsQuestions