Class 4
- 1. EPSE 317Week 4Nonverbal Learning Disabilities
- 3. This is Strathdon Elementary School in Prince Rupert
- 4. Gerald is in grade 3 at Strathdon.He’s been there ever since kindergarten, so everybody knows him.His family grew up in Prince Rupert.Dad is a fisherman; Mom is a TAGerald’s big brother is in grade 10 at the local high school. He had lots of suspensions but is now in an alternate program that seems to be working well for him.
- 5. Gerald Loves Music!He sings beautifully…
- 6. Gerald learned to talk earlyBut was slow to walk, use a spoon, dress independently and play with other kids in the neighbourhood
- 7. He’s very clumsy on his feet…He seems to prefer to run rather than walkbut he doesn’t navigate very well and bumps into other kids And then he doesn’t understand why they’re mad at him…
- 8. Gerald hates PE and isn’t good at any sports.He clowns a lot in gym, in what looks like an attempt to get out of activities.This annoys the other kids and his gym teacher.
- 9. All this puzzles Gerald’s teachersBecause he learned to read very quickly and seemingly easily, they think he’s intelligent.But he’s really hopeless at math. He memorized the times tables, but he doesn’t seem to know how to use them.His math sheets are disgracefully sloppy and full of errors.His behaviour puzzles them. They tell him the rules about running, and he nods and repeats them and then…off he goes and body-checks another classmate.
- 10. Gerald spends recess by himself, usually with a book and his snack…And he’s a really grossly messy eater, so by the end of recess he’s wearing the snack. Same for lunch. He’s also slow to get in and out of his shoes and jacket.
- 11. His teachers think he doesn’t like spelling. After all, if he can read so well, why can’t he spell?He breaks pencils constantly.
- 12. His teacher is always telling him to clean up his desk…
- 13. …which he falls out of frequently.
- 14. What’s Going On?Is Gerald just an annoying slob?Let’s think about this…What do we know?What is he good at?What’s bothering us as teachers?Who can clarify this stuff?
- 16. School-based teamRegular coaching re hall behaviourLined graph paper to tidy up outputBigger worksheetsWork on self-esteemmore singingLink with buddy who is a poor reader, but good at math
- 17. District behaviour specialistA program:Rehearse about hallway behaviour before recess, etc.Establish athletic “buddies” for recess.Contracts re desk organisation, spelling, and mathLimit number of trips to pencil sharpener to reduce breakageExtinction for clowningFind what motivates Gerald (likely music)Access to singing contingent on meeting behavioural objectives
- 18. Psychologist…IQVerbal: 120 with strengths in memory and information, relative weakness in social comprehension and arithmeticNonverbal: 65 with particular weakness in block design and coding;Visual motor integration: Very lowAdaptive abilities: very lowDoesn’t meet criteria for ADHDConner’s Behavioural Checklist—concerns re anxious-shy, social problems
- 19. PhysiotherapistProblems in fine-motor and gross-motor coordinationBalanceSpatial perceptionOccupational therapist: written output disorderOptometrist20-20 vision
- 20. Paediatrician?NLD, like many disorders can be associated with other conditionsWe know Gerald’s big brother finds school difficult, is there some kind of association here?
- 21. Nonverbal Learning DisabilityRefresher: Definition of LDLearning disabilities refers to a number of disorders that may affect the acquisition, organization, retention, understanding or use of verbal or nonverbal information. These disorders affect learning in individuals who otherwise demonstrate at least average abilities essential for thinking and/or reasoning. As such, learning disabilities are distinct from global intellectual disabilities.
- 22. NLD: Primary stuffImpaired social skillsDifficulty reading social cuesPhysical awkwardnessDifficulty using spaceConceptual reasoning Maybe associated with spatial perception?Language ability seems to deteriorateImpacts math
- 25. Good news (maybe)You don’t have to diagnose…Financial issues…NLD won’t bring the district any money, so support may be limitedAsperger’s needs a high-level diagnosisA trip to Terrace?DCD??Can you put together an IEP that matches this?
- 26. IEPInformationAssessmentsRecord behaviour specialist’s involvement and its effectPsychologistPhysiotherapistOther cliniciansAchievement, other school reports
- 27. Strengths and NeedsStrengthsMusicAuditory memoryReadingSome aspects of languageNeedsSocial skillsMathLanguage comprehensionPhysical coordinationEmotional health
- 28. IEPGoals:Strategies:Who’s gonna do what?When do we know things are working? Timing of reviewCriteria—what are we looking for?
- 29. Goals:SocialSafety in hallway etc.RecessReading social cuesLearningReading social cuesMathComprehension in reading
- 30. Instruction should be primarily verbalIntegrate verbal and visualhttp://www.do2learn.com/subscription/product_details/Faceland/video_Faceland2.htmlTry watching film clips with the sound offObserve, explain, predict http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfGWPpPy0uwTeach how to talk through an activity
- 31. Adapt environmentGive more space and timeExtra places to keep stuff out of his deskTalk through where stuff goes“Before I go home, I…Put my pencils in my pencil bag and then into my backpackPut my books in my box unless I’m using them tonight in which case IPut them in my backpackPut paper in my binder and have Ms. Z (the aide) make sure they’re tidy…
- 32. For kids with spatial and balance processing, it can be helpful to let them leave the room before their classmates.Give an errand…Gym may need to be adapted—kids need exercise, but will not be good at team activities.
- 34. TechnologyComputerMaybe even voice-recognition software
- 35. Positive Behaviour SupportSchool-wide coaching re difference, and inclusion.What to do if someone knocks you down…etc.
- 36. Maintain and build strengths
Editor's Notes
- #17: SBT:Classroom teacherPrincipalMusic teacher Resource room teacherSelf esteem is a flop: gerald is impatient and sarcastic with his “buddy”; “buddy” finds Geral weird
- #18: And after a month, Gerald is trying to stay home with tummy aches, and becoming explosively angry…
- #19: Why would they have thought ADHD?
- #23: Three areas of math verbal visual-motor conceptual