As the number of children suffering from learning disabilities has nearly doubled in the past two decades, it is essential to continue the dialogue to better understand this issue. In this month dedicated to raising awareness of learning disabilities, it is important to take this opportunity to deepen our understanding of these disabilities and learn how to provide effective support to the students affected by them.

What is a learning disability?

A learning disability is a challenge experienced by a student that stems from brain dysfunction. The student will have difficulty in understanding, learning, and communicating. Regardless of their intelligence or motivation, learning disabilities are permanent, highlighting the importance of implementing compensatory strategies.

Who are the students affected by learning disabilities?

Learning disabilities include "dys" conditions such as dyslexia, dysorthography, dyscalculia, and dysphasia, as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with or without hyperactivity.

What is the difference between a learning difficulty and a learning disability?

While a learning disability results from brain dysfunction, a learning difficulty is a problem encountered by a student that can be caused by emotional, cognitive, or motivational factors. Typically, with specific interventions, learning difficulties do not persist over time.

How to teach a student with learning disabilities?

Students with learning disabilities are neither lazy nor undisciplined but face specific challenges. The younger the child, the less aware they are of their difficulties. From their entry into school, they realize their differences but may not understand why. Here are some strategies to adapt your teaching:

Creating an appropriate environment for the student

It is essential for teachers to create an environment that fosters a sense of safety, affection, respect, and understanding for their students while nurturing and preserving their self-esteem. Indeed, it is crucial to nurture and preserve the student's self-esteem to enable them to fully engage in their educational journey and achieve success both academically and personally.

Customizing activities according to the student's needs

Adjusting activities to the student's learning pace, regularly checking their understanding, presenting challenges tailored to their abilities, and managing learning periods with breaks are effective strategies. It is important to remember that students with learning disabilities fatigue more quickly and have a limited ability to concentrate. Therefore, it is recommended to plan shorter learning sessions and incorporate brief breaks.

Encouraging participation through questioning

It is also essential to actively involve the student in their learning process. Regularly asking questions to assess their understanding and their perception of the task at hand proves to be an effective approach. Do not be swayed by appearances, as students with learning disabilities often tend to prefer being seen as disinterested rather than incapable.

Promoting attentive listening and highlighting skills

Teachers must support students in expressing their emotions, as it can be a source of frustration and discouragement to fully engage in work without achieving the desired results. By offering a variety of activities and projects, students have the opportunity to discover their passions and interests, especially in areas where they can excel, allowing them to focus not only on their weaknesses.

What are the main techniques for facilitating teaching to students with learning disabilities?

Integration of digitals tools

Integration of digitals tools in schools presents its own set of challenges but represents a real opportunity for students with various learning disabilities. Writing and reading assistive software are crucial compensatory resources that facilitate the learning process throughout the school journey and into adulthood. However, it is imperative to teach the student how to use these software tools wisely. Additionally, the computer should be configured to meet the specific needs of each student. For example, providing a dyslexic student with a computer without showing them how to use word prediction or text-to-speech software won't be helpful.

Breaking down tasks into distinct steps

An effective strategy is to provide instructions and divide the work into steps. It is essential to remember that the student may fatigue quickly, and if they receive too much information at once, they may only retain the most recent information provided.

Engagement of the five senses

Reinforced learning occurs when all five senses are actively involved. This can be achieved using visual aids such as reminders, posters, pictograms, and colors. It is also beneficial to associate gestures, movements, or music with learning. Offering activities that make sense to the student because they can relate them to familiar elements is also an effective approach.

Play

What child does not enjoy play? Learning through play is an excellent way to assimilate concepts. When we play, we engage our five senses, increasing the likelihood of retaining what we learn.

In conclusion, it is important for teachers to immerse themselves in understanding learning disabilities and to implement specially tailored approaches to support these students. By doing so, they contribute significantly to their success, both academically and personally. Teachers play an extraordinary role in the educational journey of these students, helping to create an inclusive and caring environment.

This article was written in collaboration with Brigitte Raymond, Director of Special Education Services at FEEP.