Learning Disabilities

(This page was last updated on January 18, 2003.)

Please scroll down on this page as there are a number of different categories listed within this large category of Learning Disabilities.

Reading (Dyslexia)

• Beginning Reading and Phonological Awareness for Students with LD
  • This short digest describes the importance of phonological awareness in the process of learning to read.
• General Information about Dyslexia
  • This short article gives general information about the reading disorder known as Dyslexia. It gives a detailed list of the characteristics that is useful to anyone who wants to know more about dyslexia.
• Learning to Read...Reading to Learn
  • An information kit containing principles for learning to read; tips for parents and teachers; researcher as resources and more, based on a synthesis of validated and recognized research on teaching reading to children with learning disabilities.
• Reading Disabilities are found in 2 major areas: Word Recognition Skills & Reading Comprehension
  • A brief description of reading disabilities and a few strategy suggestions.
• Reading and Learning Disabilities: A Resource Guide
  • This paper includes a look at learning disabilities in children and youth, suggestions for parents on how to help their school-age children learn, and considerations for adults with reading and learning problems, including a description of the diagnostic process for adults.
• Why Johnny Can't Decode
  • NIH Research chief, G. Reid Lyon, reports on findings of reading research being conducted at the NIH's National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
• What is a Reading Disability?

Writing (Dysgraphia)

• All Children can Write
  • This article, by Donald Graves, describes the challenges and needs of students with learning disabilities in the the area of writing. It lays out how teachers can establish a community of learners and the writing process, and provides examples of teachers and students working together.
• Every Child Can Write: Strategies for Composition and Self-Regulation in the Writing Process
  • This article describes an integrative approach to writing instruction for students with diverse abilities and backgrounds in the elementary and middle grades.
• Mechanical Obstacles to Writing: What Can Teachers Do to Help Students with Learning Problems
  • This article discusses common obstacles to writing for students with learning disabilities. It presents carefully documented suggestions for ways of helping students overcome those difficulties.
• Richard Lederer's "Crazy English"
  • I love this guy! He is so wonderfully funny in his ability to show us how and why it is so difficult to learn English. I would encourage you to read any and all of his books. I have found that it can be very helpful to read excerpts of his books to kids with disabilities to show them how difficult language can be to learn. This can help them to stop feeling badly about how hard it is for them to learn these skills.
• Tips for Parents to Encourage Writing
  • Ideas that parents can use to help their child with the writing process.
• Venolio's Reverse Rules for Writers
  • Sometimes a tongue-in-cheek approach is effective in fixing a subject in our minds. In that spirit, this author/teacher presents the following summary of the subjects covered in Write Right! a wonderful book on teaching writing.
• Ways to get Students with Learning Disabilities to Write More
  • A few very good ideas. Check this one out.
• What is a Writing Disability?
• Writing Tips for People with Learning Disabilities
  • Good strategies, well worth your reading if you are teaching others to write or are trying to work on your own to develop this skill.

Math (Dyscalculia)

• Adapting Math Instruction in General Education Classes
  • This article provides information on how to adapt and modify mathematics instruction to promote success and understanding in the areas of mathematical readiness, computation, and problem-solving for students with math disabilities.
• Educational Aspects of Mathematics Disabilities
  • The authors look at National Reform Movements in the area of mathematics, describe learner characteristics of LD students, and present recommendations for improving mathematics education.
• Learning Disabilities in Mathematics
  • This article's "question-answer" format presents the general facts about dsycalculia in language that is easy to understand.
• Mathematics Instruction for Secondary Students with L.D.
  • This article discusses techniques that have been demonstrated to be effective with secondary students who have learning disabilities in mathematics.
• Using Cooperative learning to Teach Math Students with L.D.
  • The purpose of this article is to discuss the components of cooperative learning and to present an example of how cooperative learning can be used to teach mathematics skills.
• What is Dyscalculia?

Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NLD)

• A personal comment about the name of this disability -- I just don't understand why this name was chosen for this disability. I find it very confusing as it initially sounds like it is describing a person without verbal abilities when, in fact, it is a disability where the person does not have a verbal disability. I don't know if this will confuse or help the reader, it is just my opinion. However, I have found that I have had to explain the name of the disability to many people.
• Assessment for NLD
• Classroom Strategies for NLD Students
  • The articles on these pages, contain teaching strategies and techniques that may be applied across the curriculum, and will be of particular interest to parents and teachers who are seeking to better understand the educational needs of the NLD student.
• Cooperative Learning and the NLD Student
  • A clear explanation of how a cooperative learning environment can be particularly beneficial for NLD students, if it is well-implemented, and designed to address their complex academic and social needs.
• Developing an Educational Plan for the Student with NLD
  • Sue Thompson writes, "...an appropriate educational program for the student with NLD must take into account the assets this student possesses and build upon these strengths to assure a successful outcome."
• NLD Information and Resources
  • This is a good thorough site with lots of current information from the group called NLD On The Web. I found this a very helpful site.
• Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities - An Explanation by Sue Thompson
  • "The NLD [Nonverbal Learning Disorders] syndrome reveals itself in impaired abilities to organize the visual-spatial field, adapt to new or novel situations, and/or accurately read nonverbal signals and cues." The article gives an introduction to NLD, describes how to identify the syndrome, and discusses how to help individuals with NLD.
• Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities Revisited in 1997
  • Sue Thompson talks about recent happenings in the area of Nonverbal Learning Disorders.
• School Environment and Placement for the NLD Student
  • This is an excerpt from Pamela B.Tanguay's book for school personnel.
• Stress, Anxiety, Panic and Phobias: Secondary to NLD
  • Sue Thompson discusses stress related disorders which may occur secondary to Nonverbal Learning Disorders.
• Teaching Language Arts to Students with NLD
  • Written by an educator to explain the techniques she used to teach language arts to a middle school NLD student, all of these important strategies, such as "frontloading," could be adapted and used just as successfully to teach any subject, to NLD students of any age.
• Tera's Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities Page
  • This page has been created by an 18 year old young woman who has an NLD and wants others to better understand this disability based on her own experience.
• Thinking Skills and the Child with NLD
  • This is an excerpt form Pamela B.Tanguay's book for parents.

Other Sources and Sites Related to Learning Disabilities

• A Checklist for Classroom Teachers
  • A good list of suggestions for teachers to help students with Learning Disabilities.
• Academy of Orton-Gillingham
• Development Speech and Language Disorders
  • A good description of the variety of types of learning disabilities.
• Disabilities in Regular Education Classrooms
  • This article is written by the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities.
• LD Online: Learning Disabilities Resources
  • This is a FANTASTIC resource for anyone with a learning disability or anyone who wants more information. LOTS OF GREAT ARTICLES. I can't recommend this site enough.
• LD Resources
  • This site contains a variety of resources for the learning disabilities community. The author's describe themselves as "generalists" so the site also includes essays on a variety of topics, reviews of things, events, and ideas that catch our interest that others might want to know about.
• Learned Helplessness and School Failure
  • This is a very interesting article, which does not only apply to teaching students with learning disabilities. Some interesting strategies are offered.
• Learning Disabilities Association of America
  • This is a national organization devoted to defining and finding solutions for the broad spectrum of learning disabilities.
• Learning Disability Association of California -- Quarterly Newsletter
  • Good articles, up-to-date information about conferences.
• Learning Disabilities: A Primer for Parents
  • This book has been written by a parent for parents of children with learning disabilities
• Legal Rights for Persons with Learning Disabilities
  • This list is put together by the National Center for Learning Disabilities.
• National Center for Learning Disabilities
  • NCLD's mission is to promote public awareness and understanding of children and adults with learning disabilities, and to provide national leadership on their behalf, so they may achieve their potential and enjoy full participation in our society.
• Parents and Educators Resource Centers
  • A site for information and guidance for parents of children with learning differences. Lots of good resources!
• Providing Appropriate Education for Students With Learning
• Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic
  • This national organization provides services for for people who cannot read standard print because of a visual, perceptual or other physical disability.
• Testing for the Assessment of a Reading Problem
  • A concise, thorough analysis of issues relating to psychological testing for specific learning disabilities in the area of reading. Using inappropriate tests can mask the presence of learning disabilities. This article includes a discussion of which tests to use and which tests to avoid for different types of suspected reading disabilities.
• What is a Learning disability?
  • A good general introduction to learning disabilities from the National Center for Learning Disabilities.
• What is Dyspraxia?

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