Links

-- National Center for Learning Disabilites

-- Council for Exceptional Children

-- SchwabLearning.org

--LD Association of America

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Terms You Might Need To Know

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)-

This is a term applied to children who consistently display sypmtoms such as inattention. An inattentive child is characterised by consistantly growing bored with a task that has been set in front of them after only a few minutes. Many times, children with ADD have difficulty focusing on schoolwork or any type of chore or duty they are asked to do.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)-

ADD and AD/HD are related conditions, however children with AD/HD tend to display sypmtoms such as hyperactivity and impulsivity. Children who are said to be hyperactive cannot seem to sit quietly, but rather are most comfortable when in motion. Children who are impulsive tend to be unable to "look before they leap" and tend to go with their immediate reaction to any siduation.

Collaboration-

Collaboration is a method of teaching L.D> students. It occurs when a LD teacher helps/ team teaches with the general subject classroom teacher to help one or more LD students placed in the class with any difficulites they might encounter.

Dyscalculia-

This is the little-used word that defines the much more vague term of math disability. Dyscalculia relates to problems with mathematical calculations and arithmetic operations. People with this disability have difficulties with simple and complex math functions and problem solving.

Dysgraphia-

Unlike Dyslexia, Dysgraphia isn't very commonly known. This particular learning disability affects the written formation of letters or words. Signs of Dysgraphia include problems with printing and/ or cursive handwriting and with copying and drawing.

Dyslexia-

Dsylexia is the most well known term out of all of the dys prefexed disabilities. It is a language based learning disability. People with Dyslexia have problems with understanding, remembering and working with letter sounds, both in isolation and within words, sentences, or even whole paragraphs. Dyslexia effects reading, spelling, writing and listening, pretty much all aspects of phonological awareness.

Dyspraxia (Apraxia)

This is weird little term that I had never even heard of until I visited ld.org. It is a difficulty with motor planning, and impacts upon a person's ability to coordinate appropriate body movements.

Dysnomia-

The difficulty in remembering words, names or terms that are needed for oral or written language.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

An IEP is a writtin agreement that, in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, is created by the eduaction team of a labeled student and their parents concerning what the needs of the child and how they will go about addressing them. The Individuals with Disabilities Act states that the IEP should include things such as annual goals for the student, a record of their academic preformance, what extent the child will participate in the special education program and transition planning.

L.D.-

The abbreviation for the term learning disabled.

L.D. Gifted-

It may seem like an oximoron but it is a very real label! LD Gifted students are characterised by exibiting remarkably higher-than-average preformance rates in many areas, but disturbing and frustrating weaknesses in others. To learn more about LD Gifted, please visit my F.A.Q.!

Learning Disability-

"Learning disabilities" is a general term that refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical abilities. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual, presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction, and may occur across the life span. Problems in self-regulatory behaviors, social perception, and social interaction may exist with learning disabilities but do not by themselves constitute a learning disability. Although learning disabilities may occur concomitantly with other handicapping conditions (for example, sensory impairment, mental retardation, serious emotional disturbance) or with extrinsic influences such as cultural difference, insufficient or inappropriate instruction) they are not the result of those conditions or influences. --Definition from the NJCLD (National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities), found in Unlocking Potential-College and other choices for People with LD and AD/HD Edited by Juliana M. Taymons, PH.D and Lynda L. West PH.D with Madeline Sulivan, M.A.
To learn more about LD in general, please visit my F.A.Q.!

Multiple Intelligence Theory-

This is an excellent theory developed by Howard Gardner, a neurologist at Harvard. Howard Gardner stated that there are many different types of abilities a person could possibly possess rather than one general intelligence. Gardner identified seven different intelligences, has added an eight and is currently researching two more. (This information found in Unlocking Potential-College and other choices for People with LD and AD/HD Edited by Juliana M. Taymons, PH.D and Lynda L. West PH.D with Madeline Sulivan, M.A.)

Self-Advocacy-

This is the most important skill that anyone with an L.D. must have! To have deveoped the skill of self-advocasy means that you, as a labled L.D. student, are able to explain your specific needs in a clear and consie manner towards others in order to recive the aid you need from teachers, parents, guidence councellors, emploers, ext... Self advocay is essenial for all L.D. students, it not only deveops confedence, but is also a sign of maturity and represents ones ability to master ones differences and live a positive life. The development of specific skills and understandings that enable children and adults to explain their specific learning disabilities to others and cope positively with the attitudes of peers, parents, teachers, and employers.

Transition-

Transition is the term that is commanly used to refer to a students changing (transitional) period from secondary schooling to the adult world of oppertuinities such as work, college, and living indeopendently. (can also apply to the change from early childhood to elementary school, from homeschool or specialized education to mainstream education exc...)

Have some questions? Need one of these terms to be better clarified? Please visit my Resources page to find several good books, articles, other sites, and people to get into contact with!