Learning Disabilities

 Learning Disabilities is a disability that does not have an exact meaning, because it is a disability that differs so much based on the individual. One way to look at the definition behind a learning disability is student's underachievement and academic difficulties. Usually students with learning disabilities have difficulty with attention, memory, attributions, learned helplessness and lack of coordinated strategies. All of these characteristics directly relate to academic issues, and students having difficulty in the classroom if they are not helped correctly. One way to help student's academically, who have a learning disability is through strategies. Strategies are hard for students with learning disabilities to obtain, and therefore they tend to get lost easily, which is why teachers need to practice effective strategies to tend to the individual needs of the student with learning disabilities. Effective strategies allows empowerment to both teachers and students because both the student and the teacher are in the process of learning together, equally. Different types of strategies work for all different students, some I recommend trying are explicit instruction, so students know exactly what you are expecting of them, and exactly what will help them the most to understand. The other strategy I recommend is modeling, because when you show students step by step what to do, and walk students through the process then students are more likely to understand what to do, and how to do it. Students, especially students who struggle academically, need as much guidance as they can get to learn what and how something should be done, but then again do not give too much guidance, where no learning is permitted. A few things to keep in mind is that strategies are time consuming and resources may be limited, do what is best for each individual student in the constraints you may have. Remember one effective strategy may not be effective for another student, there is not one single effective universal strategy, but do whatever you can to make sure all students needs are met.