Dealing pupils with

Learning Difficulties

What did the celebrities in the video

have in common?
Support
from
TEACHERS

Literacy
difficulties
or Dyslexia

Success

Attitude

Mindset

LINUS 2.0
LINUS 2.0 is part of the National
Education Blueprint
Students in Year One to Three will be
screened twice a year to determine if they
are progressing in English literacy at an
expected pace. Those who fall behind will
be given coaching until they catch up.
Ministrys Curriculum Development Division deputy
director

Samuri Sujak (December 3, 2012)

WHAT TO DO?
when students whose difficulties in
learning English persist.

I think my student has a

problem

So
What is important for you as
teachers to know about your
students who are
underperforming?
The disorder or the label?
The specific learning process thats
affected?
Factors affecting the learning?

Generally
Teachers do not really need to know the exact
label.
Rather, teachers need to know what they can
change and improve.
However, if we have a label or name to the
difficulty, we can predict some problems and
solutions.
However, because there is variability within
each condition, teachers still need to know the
learning process thats affected and what can
be done in the classroom.

Children with processing difficulties,

often
Have invisible difficulty.
Are labelled as being lazy and/or
having a bad attitude.
Fall through the crack because they
have average to above average IQ.

Some Causes
Results of Accident or Assaults
Genetic or hereditary
Biochemical abnormalities (current
clinical evidence does not support dietary
restrictions or vitamin deficiencies as
contributing to learning disabilities)

Environmental possibilities
(smokers/drug abuse)

Discussion session
How to teach them

Tips to teach Dyslexic

child
Dyslexic is a learning disability that causes an

individual to struggle with reading and writing.

It can also affect other areas of a person's
life: focus, memory skills, and organization.
When you understand how to teach a dyslexic
child, you can help build their self-awareness as
well as their cognitive skills by using teaching
methods with a multi-sensory approach.
This will help them not only in the classroom,
but for the rest of their lives.

Tips to teach dyslexic

child
a) Utilize a multi-sensory approach to
teaching.
( touch,sight,sound and movement)
1) Incorporate fun activities into their learning
time. Games and other creative activities get
the dyslexic child more involved in the
learning process. It gives them a sense of
accomplishment.

2) Write note cards. Having them read the

note card out loud also engages their
motor and auditory skills.
3) Make sand trays. Students can use these
to spell words or draw pictures in the
sand. This engages their sense of touch.
4) Use colour intentionally. Visual cues help
individuals with dyslexia to understand
written material. Use colour on the
blackboard or marker board

b) Use time wisely.

1) Repeat yourself often. Since dyslexic children
may struggle with short-term memory,
it
is challenging for them to remember what you
say
2) Use appropriate time limits. It takes dyslexic
children longer to complete assignments other
students may have no problem completing. Allow
dyslexic students more time to take exams
and quizzes and to complete homework so they
do not feel rushed.

 c) Provide hand outs

1) Write homework instructions directly on the
assignment so they know what is expected.
d) Model organizational structures.
1)Use folders to separate different classes or class
topics. This makes homework
assignments and
hand outs easier to find. Colour-code these if
possible.

e) Utilize other resources

1) Encourage peer tutoring. Peer resources and
social support are probably one of the
strongest resources you can offer. Students
can read aloud to each other, review notes, or
conduct lab experiments together.
2) Utilize appropriate technology. Games, word
processors, voice activated software, and
digital voice recording can all be very useful
for a child with dyslexia

TIPS TO TEACH DYSGRAPHIA

PUPILS
a) Air Writing strategy
Practice writing letters and numbers in the air with
big arm movements
Practice writing letters and numbers with smaller
hand or finger motions

 b) Make a sand tray activity

Students can practice to write and spell words in
the sand.
c) Use appropriate time limits.
Allow extra time for writing activities.
d) Positive appraisal
Reinforce the positive aspects of students effort.

TIPS TO TEACH
ASPERGER/ADHD & AUTISM
PUPILS
a) Visual Learning
-use visual methods of teaching to help the child
with Asperger better understanding.
b) Peer buddy support
-Develop

 c) Try to provide apredictable schedule.

Although this is sometimes difficult to
do, children with Aspergers thrive on
routine.
d) Maintain asafe environment. This
means controlling other students who
would be a distraction or a problem for
the child with Aspergers.

 In some cases,cooperative
learninggroups will not only improve social
skills but also allow the child to exhibit
his abilities in certain subjects. Choose
the cooperative groups carefully, and
continue to monitor the behavior of the
student and his peers.
Break assignments and projects down
intosmall sectionsthat can be completed
one at a time so that the child does not
feel overwhelmed with the work.

 Createfewer transitionsthroughout
the day. For example, try to create a
schedule that eliminates unnecessary
movement from one location to another.

What made a difference for

them?

Home

Family

TEACH
ER

Outlook

The challenge
Including all students in all activities.
Special needs inclusion classrooms must
be able to involve its students in all
classroom activities. Teachers need to
address how the classroom will
communicate with each other and
encourage participation.
Differentiating curriculum

Changing mindsets

Philosophies
What are the implications for you as
teachers?
Focus on what you can do
Find a different way to do things by making
adjustments
Surround yourself by high quality people
Keep moving forward, opening new doors and
doing new things
Theres a bright future ahead
Acknowledge challenges
Believe that you can influence and affect others

Question and Answer