Category Archives: Learning Disabilities

LD Study Skills

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:06 — 23.8MB)

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Finally! perhaps the most valuable topic ever: actual practical idea for students having learning problems, or problems with their school work — problems we hate to call “learning disabilities.” I cam back from a conference and just had to add in my takeaways from one of the sessions I attended.

it was the Repairing the Ruins Conference from ACCS – Association of Classical Christian Schools. The breakout presenter was Susan Maher from Regents, Austin. All of the credit to her and any blame of mistakes to me.

LD THE BEST DO IT

I wanted to emphasize that the best schools, if they can afford it, do deal with “l;earning disabilities.”  Only brighter than average students will get this designation. So, once again, do not let stigma stop you from getting help. Labeling is an issue, and I will take that up very soon, but the idea of a school or educator or parent failing to get help for these kind of learning problems is itself part of the labeling issue.  This episode, mere points out my surprise that Regents, the very most elite and exclusive, offers this help.

MODIFICATION IS ABOUT LOWERING ACADEMIC STANDARDS

Wanted to correct or add to my words about remediation rather than accommodation. At Regents they say “accommodation not modification.”  We actually agree in practice, but I wanted to convey the vocabulary and the ideas to you.

3 GREAT IDEAS FOR STRENGTHENING ABILITY TO DO SCHOOL WORK: READING, NOTE-TAKING, WRITING PAPERS

Lastly, I wanted to relay 3 good ideas for expanding study skills in a way that many students with learning problems will be able to apply helpfully to their school work. Using memnonic devices of SQ3R, LISAN, and SLOWER, these students can be helped to better read textbooks, note-take, and write papers.

Please hear the episode and then feel free to add any similar study skills techniques you may know about.

LINKS JUST SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND CONTEXT

https://www.regentsaustin.org/

ACCS classicalchristian.org

https://repairingtheruins.org/

More on What are Learning “Disabilities?”

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:42 — 20.0MB)

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Following our discussion of “learning disabilities” are — and are not , I continue giving you my read on what happens with “learning disabilities” in private schools and in homeschooling. I try to give you a peek into what it is like in the student’s mind. For this, see an old film called “How Difficult Can it Be?’ from F.A.T. City — widely available, link below. Then I also give you my best tips.

LABELING

Diagnoses, because of the dynamics of labeling can be really deadly.  They are often resisted because parents see them as death knells. They should be used as guidance to the educators. We have given you some idea of the process in public schools. Private purchases can get higher quality, but still there is often a gap of understanding. The best tests come out in reports that need to be translated into educational plans, and then those plans need to be followed. Perhaps refined.

Private schooling can avoid labels, give hope & motivation — and sometimes give individualized help. Homeschooling has the superior advantage of truly individualized programming. A child can be taught in the way she or he best learns. These students can be advanced dramatically in their areas of strength and still have time to catch up skills in another area. Stigma, labeling, and time pressure is eliminated. Often it is ideal, IF the mother/father/ or hired tutor has the vision, creativity and motivation to help the student excel.

PLAN OF ACTION

Use strengths to overcome weaknesses. Notice, what are called “disabilities” often are only weaknesses. These children CAN learn. Remediate weaknesses, but not to the point of failing to build up strengths. And be sure the child has a decent life!. Do not accept negative prophecies, but realize that not all students must be scholars. They do, however all need to be literate, get through school, and be able to choose a career.

This can be done. Faith for this is the first step. Then, there needs to be practical, innovative ideas. It is all of a piece. This broadcast is the only one that brings those two vital components together. And even as innocuous as this is, I have been suppressed. Therefore, please share with those who are interested!

RESOURCES

How Difficult can it be by F.A.T. City   https://vimeo.com/134226914?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImZCr0Luy-AIVVnZvBB17rgCyEAAYAiAAEgJklvD_BwE

outline of “How Difficult…” http://tedcec.zolkoski.com/assets/fat-city-dvd-notes.pdf

books related  http://www.ricklavoie.com/videos.html

HSLDA Home School Legal Defense Association  https://hslda.org/

THSC Texaas Home School Coalition  https://thsc.org/about/

For individual advice, homeschool coaching, or translation of Doctor’s/Psychologist’s findings, see  :  www.orgstrat.net

What ARE “Learning Disabilities” Anyway?

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:50 — 21.1MB)

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What are “learning disabilities”? In practical life? In the Law? In Public School?

What does it mean for a student to find that she or he has a “learning disability”?  Are these true disabilities? Is this labeling? Is labeling necessary? Are there any such thing at all?

So, a child has problems in school. What kind of problems fit in this category? What can be done?

We will answer those questions today, and more like them next time what happens in private schools, in homeschooling, and what are the most important tips on  how to proceed so that your child can experience a successful life.

Here are the links I promised:

  1. IDEA Act  Government promulgated fact sheet website  https://sites.ed.gov/idea/  LDs are not mental retardation, now Down’s Syndrome, and not remediated by SEL Social and Emotional Learning. These are entirely separate discussions, but you might be misled by a single glance at this website!

Statute and Regulations

  1. Statute language as far as I can tell http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title20/chapter33&edition=prelim  This is USC Chap 33.I remember IDEA being PS 92-142.
  2. Section 504https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocr/civilrights/resources/factsheets/504.pdfhttps://www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.index.htm
  3. Wright’s Law website, explanation of the law  https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.index.htm
  4.  Home School Legal Defense Fund  https://hslda.org/
  5. How Difficult Can it Be?  F>A>T> City   Recommended video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9NfoGiLKdA  Available on Vimeo and for sale many places

https://depts.washington.edu/dbpeds/fat-city-workshop-transcript.pdf

fat-city-workshop-transcript.pdf

How Hard Can This Be? By Richard Lavoie. In the author’s workshops, participants wind up frustrated, angry, and in tears — and finally understand …

https://www.kanopy.com/product/how-difficult-can-be-fat-city

How Difficult Can This Be? FAT City – Kanopy

This unique program lets viewers experience the frustration, anxiety, and tension faced by children with learning disabilities. Workshop facilitator Richard …

https://www.proquest.com/docview/2376743723

Richard Lavoie: How Difficult Can This Be? F.A.T. – ProQuest

This unique program lets viewers experience the frustration, anxiety, and tension faced by children with learning disabilities. Workshop facilitator Richard …

How Difficult Can This be? The F.A.T. City Workshop on Vimeo

This is “How Difficult Can This be? The F.A.T. City Workshop” by Reading Partners on Vimeo,and is for sale many places.

Learning Disabilities Association of Texas https://ldatx.org/  Notice, the most important thing they think you need to know is that you may at any time, by law, request an evaluation for your student. Check out what they say. Remember, I said, to do it in writing, certified/return receipt requested. Then, you will get a response.

 

Homeschooling? Yes, You Can Teach Reading. Yes, You Can figure Out What Your Child Needs. Here is Help.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:40 — 31.4MB)

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New to Homeschooling? Then, I can guess your top 3 questions. Here are the answers:  Yes, most can homeschool.  But can I get my little one over the hump of reading and writing?  Yes, you Can Teaching Reading and Writing. Yes, You can figure out what your child needs. Here is encouragement and real help.

Lots of people are starting to homeschool. Fortunately, we have faced the fears before you. Welcome. Fear one: Can you do it? Yes. Can you teach reading and writing. Well, yes, if you find out how. BTW, it is teaching Writing (handwriting) and only THEN reading. Bet you didn’t know that. Know why? Because your model is public schooling.

You know public schooling is doing a bad job now. Did you know that it has been doing an increasingly bad job for 100 years?  Yes. The good part about that is that we have other methods that have shown for 100 years that it can be done better. I will let you in on the secret on that teaches handwriting, reading, and composition the most easily. It is like games. For 4 year olds! They love it.

NO MORE DREARY DEADENING STULTIFYING WORKSHEETS. Throw out the worksheets (for teaching handwriting especially.) They don’t work. Did they work for you? Were they fun? Do you want to teach your kids that learning is not fun? That they can’t do it? if so, use worksheets. if not… listen to this episode.

Jeynes, short article https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2020/01/59167/

Popham Truth About Testing

Montessori  Method

Hainstock Teaching Montessori in the Home  available at CBD 

PS. Not trying to send you to Amazon necessarily; just making the book info available to you. Please use your favorite bookseller. I have no affiliate agreements at this time.

PS. Apologies for inconsistent posting and bad production values. Working hard to serve you. I appreciate your patience and loyalty.