Transcript Dyslexia and other learning difficulties”

the symptoms, the causes and what we
can do about it.
HILLSIDE PRESS
Definition
A learning difficulty can be suspected when
a child’s academic performance is
below what would be expected given the
child’s age, IQ and education.
Types of Learning
Difficulties:




Attention Deficit Disorder
with or without hyperactivity
Dyslexia
Mathematics Disorder
Disorder of Written Expression /
Dysgraphia
Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD)
A poor attention span, hyperactivity and
impulsivity that occurs more often and is
more intense than usually seen in children of
the same age.
Note:
A child can suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder
and not be hyperactive.
How to recognize ADHD in a
student
Three major features:
• Hyperactivity:
They move more and much faster than is
appropriate.





fidgety when seated
unable to remain seated for long
difficulty playing quietly
talk excessively
run and climb all over the place at inappropriate circumstance
How to recognize ADHD in a
student
•






Impulsivity:
They do things without considering the
consequences of their actions.
impatient, blurt out answers before the question has been
made
unable to wait their turn in games and queues
interfere with the activities of others
accident prone
interrupt conversations
take things from other children
How to recognize ADHD in a
student
•








Attention Deficit:
An inability to focus for a long time.
They do not pay attention to detail.
Work is messy and carelessly done.
They do not finish things.
Often day dream and do not listen.
Shift from one task to another.
They are forgetful.
Their thoughts are always shifting.
They make mistakes with school work or chores.
Associated Problems
• Academic Problems
• Emotional Problems
• Social Problems
• Family Problems
Causes of ADHD
There is no single cause. There is a
combination of factors that interact and
cause the disorder.
 Genetic factors
 Brain damage
 Neurochemical factors
 Psycho-social factors
 Food additives
 How often do we encounter it?
 How is ADHD or ADD assessed?
 Does it ever get better?
What we can do about it

Medication
 Psychological support
 Academic support :
 Early recognition.
 Promote both academic and social learning.
 Help with the child’s emotional adjustment and self-
esteem.
 Adjust classroom activities as much as you can.
Dyslexia
A difficulty in reading, spelling
and writing which cannot be
accounted for by the child’s
age, education or IQ.
How to recognize dyslexia
symptoms in a pupil or student



A difference between the pupil’s ability and their
actual achievement
A family history of learning difficulties
Difficulties with spelling
does/dus





dose/does
Confusion over left and right
Writing letters or numbers backwards
(b/d),
(p/9), (p/q)
Difficulties with maths
Difficulties with organizing themselves
Difficulty following 2- or 3- step instructions
PREVALENCE
COURSE
The case of
Kostas
snow – snoue
with – wach
friends – frens
do – dow
live – lave
when – win
favourite – fret
place – plice
because – backes
why – way
The case of Alice
What causes dyslexia?
There is no single cause. There is a combination of
factors that interact and cause the difficulty.

Inherited factors
 Neurobiological factors
 Hearing problems at an early age
 A combination of all three
Mathematics Disorder
A difficulty with Mathematics that has nothing to do with the
child’s IQ, level of education or age.
Dysgraphia
A difficulty in writing and/or spelling that has nothing to do
with the child’s IQ, level of education or age. There
appears to be no difficulty in reading.
IT IS VERY COMMON TO ENCOUNTER MORE
THAN ONE LEARNING DIFFICULTY IN THE
SAME CHILD.
What we CAN do to help…
ABC’s to helping the dyslexic
student in the regular classroom
A. Accentuate the positive
B. Be understanding
C. Communicate with the student
D. Develop a plan
A Confidence Building Exercise
Things that I am Things that I am
good at :
not so good at :
swimming
diving
basketball
making people laugh
being friendly to
grandpa
spelling
reading
writing
math
Praise for non-academic
achievements
Helping in class by handing out / collecting in work
Showing good effort (regardless of outcome)
Keeping desk tidy
Showing kindness to others
Being polite
Sitting quietly and attentively
Willingness to participate in discussions
Showing ability in sport, art or music