How to teach children with learning disabilities in 2021

Click here to search our current SEN Jobs

Having a learning disability affects the way a child understands information and how they communicate. This means that they can have difficulty understanding new or complex information and new skills. Research has found that 8-10 per cent of American children under the age of 18 have some type of learning disability. Whilst every child has trouble with homework from time to time, if a certain area of learning is consistently problematic then this could indicate a learning disorder. Click here for signs and symptoms of learning disabilities.

Accepting that your child has a learning disability can be difficult, but the most important thing to remember is that the majority of children with learning disabilities are just as smart as everyone else. They simply need to be taught in ways that are fitted to their own unique learning styles. In learning more about learning disabilities in general, as well as your child's learning disabilities in particular, you can help find the way for success at school and at home. It is particularly important that we learn our children's unique learning styles now more than ever due to the impact that COVID-19 has had on our schools and education, specifically special education.

How do you teach a child with special needs and learning disabilities? Considerations?

• Do not try and cure your child's learning disability. Your job as a parent should not be to cure your child's learning disability. This can only lead to disappointment. Your job should be to give your child social and emotional tools which will help them to work better through their challenges. Repeatedly facing and overcoming challenges will help in the long run because this will allow your child to grow stronger and more resilient.
• Remember that your child will follow your lead. Always have a positive outlook on their learning. This positive outlook is likely to reflect on your child and make them have a positive outlook on learning too! A good attitude towards your child's learning disability will give them the hope and confidence that things are going to improve in their education!

• Become an expert! No one knows your child better than you! Looking to others for advice (teachers, doctors, health professionals) is tempting but doing your own research, keeping up to date with developments in learning disability programs and educational techniques will help massively.

• Stay calm. You may have to speak up time and time again to get special help for your child's learning. This may be frustrating but staying calm will also benefit your child.

• Focus on the positives. Learning disabilities do not define anybody! Having a learning disability represents one area of weakness, but there will be many more strengths. Focus on the areas of learning which your child is good in.

• Do not forget yourself! It is easy to get involved in your child's needs and forget your own. Your physical and emotional needs need to be met or you will run yourself into the ground and be of no help to your child's learning. Click here for tips on taking care of yourself.
• Communicate with friends and family. Often a child's learning disability is kept secret from the rest of the family, which means that the child can be perceived as being lazy or hyperactive, when in fact that is a symptom of their disability. Letting family members in, can support you and your child's progress.

What are effective teaching methods for students with learning disabilities?

You should identify how your child learns best. With or without a learning disability children have different ways of learning which woks for them. Reading can work for some children however, listening can work for others. Identifying their primary learning style will be very beneficial. Once you find their most effective way of learning you can make sure that this learning style is reinforced in the classroom and at home.

Effective teaching methods include:

• Learning visually – this is where the child learns best by seeing or reading. They are more likely to achieve when the material is presented and tested visually. They may also benefit from written notes, directions, diagram, charts, maps and pictures. Often children who love to draw, read and write, and are good at spelling, prefer this learning style.

• Learning auditorily – this is where the child learns best by listening. They are more likely to achieve when in lecture-based learning environments and on oral tests. They may also benefit from classroom discussions, spoken directions and study groups. Often children who love music, language and being on stage, prefer this learning style.
• Learning kinesthetically – this is where the child learns best by doing and moving. They are more likely to achieve when they can move, touch, explore and create things. They may also benefit from hands on activities, lab classes, field trips and props. Often children who love sports, drama, dance, martial arts, as well as arts and crafts, prefer this learning style.

Tips for communicating with children with special needs

• Be concise. Be literal and to the point to avoid miscommunication and ensure that the child clearly understands what is being asked of them. Clear communication will also reduce the possibility of overwhelming the child.
• Have patience. Children with special needs may take longer than others to carry out a task. Being rushed can be distressing and discomforting for the child as well as yourself.

• Allow their own way of communication. Not every child is verbal, however every child is capable of communicating in their own way. If the individual is finding it difficult to communicate then you can simply ask them yes and no questions which only requires moving one's head. Furthermore, sign language and cue cards may even be used.

• Give them options. Decision making can be difficult for anyone, but for children with special needs, this can be much harder. Reducing the amount of decision making an individual has to do can reduce their anxiety. However, change is inevitable, but giving the individual control over their own decisions will reduce their stress.

Conclusion

Never forget that the way you behave and respond to challenges and struggles will impact your child greatly. A good attitude will not solve all your problems associated with your child's learning disability; however, it can give your child the hope and confidence needed for them to improve and succeed.

Click here to search our current SEN Jobs

Comments are disabled