Students with different learning difficulties and how to accommodate them within the classrooms.

1. Exceptionalities
Cognitive:
Learning Disabilities, Intellectual
Disabilities and Gifted/ Talented

2. Course: Special Needs
Group: 3D
Lecturer: Miss Harris
Group One members:
Karen Powell- Llyod- SJ12 6788
Shanice Moodie- SJ12 6782
Monique Royal- SJ12 6790
Alesha Nelson- SJ12 6785
Nateenia Roye- SJ11 6662
Shakira Marshall- SJ12 6774

3. WHAT IS LEARNING DISABILITIES?
Learning disabilities (LDs) are limitations or group of
disorders that affect the brain's ability to receive, process, store,
respond to and communicate information. They are not the same as
intellectual disabilities/ mental retardation, sensory impairments
(vision or hearing) or autism spectrum disorders. (Inc, 2014)

4. LEARNING DISABILITIES (LD)
Children with LD are of average or above-average intelligence
but still struggle to acquire skills that impact their performance in
school, at home, in the community and in the workplace. Learning
disabilities are lifelong, and the sooner they are recognized and
identified, the sooner steps can be taken to overcome the challenges
they present.

5. Learning Disabilities Terminology
Disability Area of difficulty
Symptoms include trouble
with
Examples
Dyslexia Processing language
Reading
Writing
Spelling
Confusing letter names and
sounds, difficulties blending
sounds into words, slow rate of
reading, trouble remembering
after reading text
Dyscalculia Math skills
Computation
Remembering math facts
Concepts of time and money
Difficulty learning to count by 2s,
3s, 4s, poor mental math skills,
problems with spatial directions
Dysgraphia Written expression
Handwriting
Spelling
Composition
Illegible handwriting, difficulty
organizing ideas for writing
Dyspraxia Fine motor skills
Coordination
Manual dexterity
Trouble with scissors, buttons,
drawing

6. CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENTS WITH
LEARNING DISABILITIES
The hallmark sign of a learning disability is a distinct and
unexplained gap between a person's level of expected achievement
and their performance. Learning disabilities affect every person
differently and they present differently at various stages of
development. LDs can range from mild to severe and it is not
uncommon for people to have more than one learning disability.

7. CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENTS WITH
LEARNING DISABILITIES
Some common signs of LDs are:
 difficulties with concentration
 memory problem
 delayed speech
 pronunciation problems
 difficulty learning new words
 difficulty learning to read
 trouble learning numbers, the alphabet etc.
 difficulty following directions

8. INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
Intellectual disability (ID), which was once called mental
retardation, is characterized by mental ability and a lack of skills
necessary for day to day living. People with ID can, and may be
able to learn new skills, but they learn them more slowly. However
there are varying degrees of ID, from mild to profound.

9. TYPES OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
Intellectual functioning
This is also know as IQ (Intelligence Quotient) that refers too a
person’s ability to learn, reason, make decision and solve problems.
Adaptive behaviours
Skills necessary for day- to- day life, such as being able to
communicate effectively, interact with others and take care of
oneself.
DeNoon, D. J. (2005-2014)

10. CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENTS WITH
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
 Less-than-average I.Q.
 Underdeveloped speech and language skills
 Poor: memory, attention, perception, imagination, thinking,
computing and concentration
 Lag significantly in grade- level

11. GIFTED/ TALENTED
Gifted and talented children are those students with
outstanding abilities, identified at preschool, elementary and
secondary levels. These students are capable of high performance
when compared to others of similar age, experience and
environment. (Dixon)

12. CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENTS WHO
ARE GIFTED/ TALENTED
Students where are considered gifted or talented have:
 An excellent memory
 Able to comprehend subject matter at advance level
 Rapid learning ability
 Uses previously learned things in new contexts
 Very responsible; can be counted on
 Tends to question authority

13. ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
OF LDS IN THE CLASSROOM
Teachers can accommodate students with learning disabilities, intellectual
disabilities and students who are gifted/ talented by:
 Plan a special or an extra lesson plan for students with such disabilities.
 Grouping students (student with different capability)
 Appointing students with position or responsibilities to occupy their time (gifted
students).
 Ensuring that the classroom environment is conducive to the students’ learning
and is child friendly.
(Washington, 2012)

14. ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
OF LDS IN THE CLASSROOM
 Planning the lesson in a more accessible way to suite all students including
those with such disabilities.
 Using more than one way to demonstrate or explain information/ the lesson,
 Keeping instructions brief and uncomplicated ( repeat them word for word).
 Allow time for clarification or direction and essential information.
 Break assignments into segments of shorter tasks.
(Washington, 2012)

15. REFERENCES
Inc, N. C. (2014). What are Learning Disabilities? Retrieved September 30, 2014, from National Center for Learning
Disabilities: http://ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/what -is-ld/what-are-learning-disabilities
DeNoon, D. J. (2005-2014). Intellectual disability (Mental Retardation). Retrieved 30 September, 2014, from
WebMB: http: //www.webmb.com/children/intellectual-disability-mental-retardation
Washington,U.O. (2012). Achieving equal access through accommodations and universal design. Retrieved September
30, 2014,From Academic Accommodations for Students with Learning Disabilities:
http//www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/accomm_ld.html