A school is considered a second home because we tend to spend a lot of our childhood there to learn. So, it is very likely that teachers are often the first to notice whether a child has a learning difficulty. Sometimes spotting disorder from a child’s academic and behavioral traits might be easy. However, sometimes the signs are harder to see and deduce. This can mean the non-identification of the issue and the child might not get the teacher's required guidance and support in the classroom.
Kids face learning challenges that can have a big gap between what it seems like they should be able to do and what they actually able to do. For example, a student who writes good essays but can barely do basic math assignments. Or a kid who gives nice answers verbally but is not able to get their ideas down on paper. These gaps often get ignored as being lazy or pushed to try harder, which can harm their self-esteem. Knowing what to look for can help teachers and parents get kids the help they need.
How Can Educators Identify Students With Learning Disorder?
Many kids have difficulty with reading, writing, or other learning-related things at some point, but this does not necessarily mean that they have learning disabilities. A child with a learning difficulty evolves through several stages and different symptoms can occur at different times. The signs of learning disabilities vary also from person to person. Some of the common signs of learning difficulty include:
Difficulty with reading and/or writing
Problems with Math skills
Difficulty remembering or retention of things
Problems paying attention or focusing, difficulty in concentrating
Trouble following directions or following instructions
Poor coordination or lack of motor coordination, lacking space orientation
Difficulty with time management skills
Problems staying organized
A student with a learning difficulty can display one or more of the following behaviour in a classroom setup:
Inappropriate responses in school or social situations, misinterpreting relationships
Easily distracted, difficulty in listening skills
Difficulty finding the right vocabulary to express something; immature way of speaking
Inconsistent school performance
Problems understanding words or concepts
However, these signs alone are not enough to determine whether someone has a learning difficulty or not. A professional assessment is necessary to diagnose the right situation.
Let us now understand some simple strategies that educators can adopt in the classroom to help students with learning disorders.
There are several ideas that a teacher can implement to help such students. It is also important to note that what works for one might not work for others.
Movement Strategies
Move around in the classroom to maintain your visibility.
Blackboard Strategies
Use coloured chalk or markers instead of black markers
Write alternate lines in different colours
Number each line separately
Instruction Strategies
Teach thematically whenever possible, allowing for the integration of ideas/concepts and connections to be made.
Break down into small steps or one task/instruction at a time.
Present at a lively and brisk pace.
Be prepared and avoid lag time in instruction.
Use pictures, diagrams, flashcards, and eye-catching materials.
Use higher-level questioning techniques. Ask questions that are open-ended and stimulate discussion.
Make efforts to greatly increase student responses (asking questions or doing activities).
Structure the lesson so that it can be done in pairs or small groups for maximum student involvement and attention.
Try to identify the area of strength that can be used for a better understanding of concepts by relating to examples
Interactional Strategies
Supply regular and quality feedback
Interact regularly with parents
Use simple language to interact in the classroom which makes them comfortable
Avoid making them feel conscious about their situation
Facilitate social interactions with other students
Talk about empathy, compassion, etc. for better awareness
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