Book Study on Neurodiversity and ADHD Chapter 2

Chapter 2 – The Multiple Talents of Students with Learning Disabilities

*Learning disabilities are the most common reason that children in the United States are referred for Special Education Services

*This amounts to about 5 percent of all students in our public education system

*Specific learning disabilities account for a variety of disorders that can affect reading, writing, listening, speaking, reasoning, calculating, sensory processing and memory

-80 percent of students labeled SLD have deficits in reading

Facts about Dyslexia

* new research shows that dyslexia may be in part a phonological disorder

* it is common for students with dyslexia to show an unusual skill in drawing, doing mechanical puzzles and building models at a young age

* artists Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Leonardo da Vinci all exhibited dyslexia

Positive Role Models

* it is important for students with learning disabilities to understand that others out there have become successful despite having a disability

Career Aspirations

*individuals with dyslexia and other learning disabilities may show expertise in the field of business

* this is because they demonstrate superior intuitive abilities (ability to think “outside of the box”)

* some possible career choices for students with learning disabilities: animator, engineer, physicist, artist, interior designer, pilot, architect

Environmental Modifications

-      - least restrictive is a setting where difficulties with printed words are minimized and strengths (art, archietecutre, etc) are maximized.

-issues with this… - art and other related courses aren’t available due to cut funding etc.

This last thing is something that I can relate to! Our students K-5 do not receive any art class. We do art in our classroom, which ends up being more of a crafting experience. We will soon be expected to teach art standards to our students for our grade level. This fact just boggles my mind as I couldn’t ever apply for an art position without an art degree but now I can teach it?