Learning Disabilities and

Inclusion in the Classroom

Ashley, Sarah-May, Emily

Introduction
Learning disabilities are becoming more and more
prominent in the 21st century classroom.
It is important, as new teachers, to understand the
basics about what a learning disability is, how it is
dealt with in the
classrooms, the resources
used to support learning
disabled children, and
what is used to encourage
success in an equitable
classroom environment.
http://www.thejourneyneighbourhoodcentre.ca/learning-disability-support-group/
What is a Learning Disability?
What are Learning Disabilities?
Special needs and learning disabilities in
students are not necessarily the same thing.
Special needs students are defined as students
with mild to severe disabilities and/or students
that are talented or gifted.
In comparison students with learning disabilities
are students with specific neurological
disorders that affect the way a person stores,
understands, retrieves and/or communicates
information.
(www.ldac-acta.ca/learn-more/ld-defined/official-
definition-of-learning-disabilities)
Disorders of Learning Disabilities
There are a number of different kinds of
disorders that can be displayed in
students with Learning Disabilities.
Students tend to display difficulty with
one or two skills learned in school
eg.)Mathematics
Students with learning disabilities can be
difficult to diagnose and create a plan
for because no two students are exactly
alike and there tend to be other factors
that can affect a student's ability to
learn.
Disorders of Learning Disabilities (cont.)

Commonly, some learning disabilities can be due to

genetic or neurobiological factors or injuries. Also
learning disabilities are lifelong.
As a teacher, it is important to understand and work with
the student the best we can, and there are certain
programs in schools to work with students with learning
disabilities.
The most common program is called the Individualized
Program Plan or IPP. This program is important in schools
for students with learning disabilities.
https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson/photos/a.437982389651623.1073741825.203491459767385/821879391261919/?type=1&theater
Key Components of Programming
Key Components of Programming

9 Guiding Principles:

1. Collaboration
2. Meaningful Parental Involvement
3. Identification and Assessment
4. Ongoing Assessment
5. Individualized Program Plans
6. Transition Planning
7. Self-Advocacy http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-common-learning-disabilities.htm#didyou
knowout
8. Accommodations
9. Instruction
Collaboration

It is important that the student is involved in all

aspects of the programming
There needs to be collaboration between school personnel,
parents, and students in order for any progress to be
made.

https://simonwild.me/2013/11/01/competitive-collaboration-part-2-what-is-competitiv
e-collaboration/
Meaningful Parent Involvement

Having the parent(s) involved enhances the students

ability to succeed and gives the parent(s) peace of mind
about the educational programming set in place for their
son/daughter.
With the parent(s) involved the programming can develop
collaboration between the home and the school.
Identification and Assessment

It is important that all educational supports are

available to the student and follow a set plan.
Assessment needs to be constant and consistent.
Using a team approach to the assessing provides a
plethora of information that contributes toward diagnosis
and development of IPPs(Individualized Program Plans).
Ongoing Assessment

In addition to the assessment process being constant and

consistent; it is important that the student is involved.
Student involvement in this process contributes to the
development of self-advocacy skills.
Individualized Program Plans (IPP)

Outlines the developing programs that address the

specific needs of the student.
Through development, implementation, and monitoring of
the students IPPs; all components of the programming
converge.
Provides short term and long term planning.
Instructional changes are determined based on the
effectiveness of each accommodation.
Transition Planning

Through assessment, effective transitions are planned,

collaborated and implemented.

https://sites.google.com/a/bvsd.org/18---21-services/Transition-Planning
Self-Advocacy

Defined as acting on ones own behalf.

All aspects of programming must support the development
of self-advocacy skills.

https://sites.google.com/site/florescatherine123/podcast-slideshow
Accommodations

Is a change or alteration to what is considered the norm

of a students behaviour in the classroom.
Balance needs to be considered between accommodations and
other instructional components.
To be included in the IPP process.
Based on students strengths and needs.
Should be determined through a collaborative process and
monitored for effectiveness.
http://blog.sesamehq.com/post/64320970439/authentic-ongoing-assessment-in-the-classroom
Instruction

Instruction will vary depending on the individual

learning issues.
Should be conducted based on the framework of the IPPs
and take into consideration the students strengths and
needs.
Should contain a combination of direct and strategic
instruction.
http://www.teachingwithsimplicity.com/2013/04/motivation-for-monday-3.html
Codes for Special Education
Codes for Special Education

Assigned to students who require special educational

needs.
Provides an equitable chance for success.
A code can be given to a student anytime in their
educational career, from ECS to K-12.
The school is able to assign a special code when they are provided
with proper documentation of a disability or disorder
School boards report the assignment of codes to the
Alberta government and education sector to provide
demographic feedback.
This provides the government the opportunity to make educational
changes to better the system (i.e. new inclusion policies).
Codes for Special Education Contd.

The government and school boards follow the Special

Education Coding Criteria 2016/2017 handbook.
The handbook lays out 18 separate codes that each
represent something unique.
The 18 codes are broken up into 2 parts: mild/ moderate including
gifted and talented for ECS and grades K-12, and severe for ECS and
grades K-12
The codes range from cognitive to physical disabilities.
We are focusing on code 54
Code 54- Learning Disability

Code 54 is only found for grades 1-12, because a learning

disability does not generally present itself for
diagnosis earlier than grade 1.
The Special Education Coding Criteria 2016/2017 states:
Learning disabilities affect the acquisition, organization,
retention, understanding, or use of verbal or nonverbal information.
The DSM-5 uses the term Specific learning disorder to identify
exactly what kind of learning disability is shown.
A student must be diagnosed by a professional physician to receive
any sort of special coding.
Code 54- Learning Disability Contd.
According to code 54 in the SECC 2016/2017:
Learning disabilities range in severity (mild, moderate, or severe).
These may result in difficulties in one or more educational area:
oral language (e.g., listening, speaking, understanding);
reading (e.g., decoding, phonetic knowledge, word recognition,
comprehension);
written language (e.g., spelling and written expression);
mathematics (e.g., computation, problem solving) .
It is essential to support individuals with learning
disabilities by having interventions that are appropriate
for the students specific needs.
At the very least, the code means the provision of: specific skill
instruction, accommodations, compensatory strategies, and
self-advocacy skills.
Number of Children/
Students with Special
Education Needs- By
Special Education Code
There are over
20,000 students
registered with code
54 each school year
in the province.
Between 2010-2015,
there has been over
100,000 students
registered under
code 54 with a
learning disability
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/71/a2/d2/71a2d21ab6f7dc45ab951ae809efdbe0.jpg
Individualized Program Plan- IPP
Individualized Program Plan (IPP)
After a code is given to a student, the parents and
school personnel (teachers, support staff,
administration) need to create an IPP.
This will promote a successful student, by providing certain
accommodations and mutual understandings for each individual student.
The IPP is completely individually made for each student,
based on the differing needs of each student.
Every child is unique and will need a variety of different supports
that are dependant on things like learning styles, type of learning
disability, self-esteem levels, etc.
No two IPPs are exactly the same.
An IPP is usually created at the beginning of the school
year.
There is flexibility for students who are diagnosed part way through
the year. They are developed as they may be needed.
Individualized Program Plan (IPP) Contd.

An IPP outlines many things:

The specific educational needs of individual learners
The collaboration between students, parents, teachers and other staff
who work with the student
The monitoring and evaluation of a students progress and specialized
programming
The communication of students growth and progress with all adults
involved
a summary of the individualized goals and objectives that a student
will work towards during a school year
a summary of accommodations that will help the student learn more
effectively
an ongoing record to ensure continuity of programming
a guide for transition planning.
Parts of an IPP
According to the Individualized Program Planning Guide
from Alberta Education, an IPP should include:

http://imispecialeducationwallpapaer.blogspot.ca/2013/01/individual-
assessment data (diagnostic assessment data used to determine special
education programming and services)
current level of performance and achievement
identification of strengths and areas of need
measurable goals and objectives
procedures for evaluating student progress
identification of coordinated support services

education-program.html
relevant medical information
required classroom accommodations
transition plans
formal review of progress at regularly scheduled reporting periods
year-end summary
parent signature to indicate informed consent.
IPP and Inclusion

As defined by Alberta Education, inclusion is a way of

thinking and acting that demonstrates universal
acceptance and promotes a sense of belonging for all
learners.
As a teacher with students who have learning
disabilities, you need to create a non-threatening and
inclusive classroom environment.
It is important to create an inclusive and tolerant environment so
that each student can prosper. Regardless of abilities.
Having an IPP allows every student to have equitable
opportunities to learn and succeed, however they need to.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/c6/8d/16/c68d16845c4e062c3f3317ab431b1d85.jpg
Classroom Communities and Support
Caring Classroom Environment

It is important that a child isnt labelled as bad, or

troubled because he/she has a learning disability.
It is important that as a
teacher, you build a safe
environment and a caring
classroom community where your
students are tolerant of
diversities within the
classroom and differing
learning styles.
http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/i
nmdict/html/pdf/LearningDisabilities
_E.pdf

http://www.indiability.org/national-and-international/dealing-with-learning-disability-what-policy-must-achieve/
Who is in the Support Group?

It is important for their to be a large support group for

students with learning disabilities consisting of: the
teacher, support staff, administration, other teachers,
other students, family, etc.
An extensive support group promotes good self-esteem.
This allows the child to continuously strive to keep learning,
instead of shutting down like so many students do.
It really takes a village to raise a child

https://dreamupward.com/2016/04/07/it-takes-a-village/
Personal Experience

Ashleys practicum placement

Learning disability with reading
Non-threatening and inclusive classroom environment
Student-student support
Precision reading, sight words, group reading
This is the most important part of inclusion for me,
because if a student cant do something with confidence,
then they wont do it at all- which can cause more
problems to arise.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/458030224582114017/
 TRUE OR FALSE: LEARNING DISABILITIES From:
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/getting-started/what-you-need-to-know/quiz-test-your-knowledge-of-learning-an
d-attention-issues
TRUE OR FALSE?

ADHD is a learning disability.

FALSE

The main symptoms of ADHD can affect learning.

But its not what special education law calls
a specific learning disability.
TRUE OR FALSE?

Learning and attention issues can

run in families.
TRUE

Researchers dont know the exact role of

genetics. But learning and attention issues do
run in families. About 2 out 5 kids with
dyslexia, for example, have a sibling with
reading issues, too.
TRUE OR FALSE?

Learning and attention issues are

brain-based issues.
TRUE

Learning and attention issues are neurological

issuesmeaning theyre based in the brain.
Theyre not caused by laziness. And kids with
learning and attention issues arent
misbehaving on purpose.
TRUE OR FALSE?

People with learning and attention

issues have low IQs.
FALSE

Having learning and attention issues is not a

sign of low intelligence. In fact, kids with
learning and attention issues typically have
average or above-average intelligence. Yes,
learning and attention issues are based in the
brain. But theyre not related to IQ. The
brain relationship is about how people with
learning and attention issues process
information.
TRUE OR FALSE?

Learning disabilities in math are

also known as dyslexia.
FALSE

Its true that some kids have trouble learning

math because of dyslexia. However, learning
disabilities specific to math are referred to
as dyscalculia.
TRUE OR FALSE?

More boys than girls are diagnosed

with learning and attention
issues.
TRUE

More boys than girls are receiving special

education services in school for learning and
attention issues. This doesnt necessarily
mean, though, that learning and attention
issues are more common in boys. Girls just may
be less likely than boys to be diagnosed.
TRUE OR FALSE?

Kids outgrow learning and

attention issues.
FALSE

Learning and attention issues dont go away

as kids get older. But that doesnt mean these
issues are a recipe for failure. Kids with
learning and attention issues can have pockets
of strengths that other kids dont. And they
can find ways to build on their strengths to
make up for weaker skills.
TRUE OR FALSE?

Learning disabilities and ADHD

often co-occur.
TRUE

Nearly one-third of kids with learning

disabilities also have ADHD. Kids with ADHD
also often struggle with executive functioning
issues.
TRUE OR FALSE?

Learning disabilities can be

treated with medication.
FALSE

There are no proven medical treatments for

learning disabilities. Medication can,
however, be a treatment option for ADHD or
mental health issues.
TRUE OR FALSE?

Brain scans can help diagnose

learning disabilities.
FALSE

Brains scans, also known as MRIs, cant

diagnose learning and attention issues.
However, they are helping experts learn more
about learning and attention issues.
Conclusion
Conclusion
In the 21st century, learning disabilities are increasingly known and
accepted in society.
This has shaped the ways in which education and the curriculum is approached,
giving more freedom.
The awareness of such needs has shaped the
Teaching Quality Standard for Alberta
teachers, changing the ways in which we deal
with students and their needs.
There are a wide range of needs associated
with learning disabilities- this contributes
to the many variables and diversities that a
teacher has to cope with.
The context in which students live and learn
affect what we teach and how we teach it.
It is important to have basic knowledge of this contemporary issue,
that affects over 20,000 students each year in Alberta.
Sources
Bibliography
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http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/inmdict/html/learning_disabilities.html
- Diverse Learning Needs | Meeting the Needs of each Student. (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from
https://education.alberta.ca/diverse-learning-needs/meeting-the-needs-of-each-student/?searchMode=3
-Official Definition of Learning Disabilities. (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from
http://www.ldac-acta.ca/learn-more/ld-defined/official-definition-of-learning-disabilities
-Inclusive Education | What is Inclusion? (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from
https://education.alberta.ca/inclusive-education/what-is-inclusion/?searchMode=3
-Inclusive Education Library. (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/ieptLibrary/index.html
-Instructional Supports | Instructional Supports. (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from
https://education.alberta.ca/instructional-supports/instructional-supports/?searchMode=3
-Alexander, J. (2003). The Learning Team- A Handbook for Parents of Children with Special Needs. Edmonton, AB: Alberta
Education. doi:https://education.alberta.ca/media/3531893/learning-team-handbook-for-parents.pdf
-Tungland, M. (Ed.). (2002). Unlocking Potential: Key Components of Programming for Students with Learning Disabilities.
Edmonton, AB: Alberta Learning.
doi:https://education.alberta.ca/media/385144/unlocking-potential-programming-for-students-learning-disabilities-2002.pdf
Bibliography Contd.

-Individualized Program Planning. (2006). Edmonton, AB: Alberta Education.

doi:https://education.alberta.ca/media/384992/indidivualized-program-planning-2006.pdf
-Special Education Coding Criteria 2016/2017. (2016). Edmonton, AB: Alberta Education.
doi:http://www.grasslands.ab.ca/documents/general/SpecialEducationCodingCriteria_2013-2014%20Sept%20Revised.pdf
-Mauro, T. (n.d.). Special Needs Children Cover an Array of Diagnoses. Retrieved June 04, 2017, from
https://www.verywell.com/what-are-special-needs-3106002
- (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2017, from https://teach.com/what-is-special-education/