VARIOUS DISABILITIES

An Introductory Note

"There are many different types of disabilities, usually categorized as Learning Disabilities (LD or LLD) or Emotional Disabilities (ED or SED). Unfortunately, even though one would like to be able to categorize each disability separately and find solutions to help children with each type, it is not as simple. Very often, the disabled children we deal with in the classroom combined more than one of the disabilities we can categorize, thus, making our job as educators more challenging as we have to figure out how all the combined disabilities of one child influence his/her behavior as well as his/her learning abilities. Our challenge is to solve the maze of mental, medical, physical, genetic, and environmentally caused disabilities to teach academic knowledge to our students." by Sandrine Colson-Inam, 03/29/2007

If you have any "secret recipe" that works in your classroom to teach disabled children, please let us know by participating in one of our forums or create one as well by becoming a member of our community. For more info contact ASSET.

What is a learning disability, LD or LLD? (Source of Information: http://www.kidica.com/education/learning/learning-disabilities.aspx)

"A learning disability is a condition that can either prevent or hinder someone from learning basic academic and life skills. It is a disorder in the basic psychological processes involved in acquiring and using information through language, both written and spoken, and may show up as an inability to think, read, write, spell or listen."

Here are some examples: ADD/ADHD (considered -other condition), Autism, NLVD,  Dyslexia ...

What is an emotional disability or ED or SED?

Some disabilities result from behavioral or emotional disturbances such as mental illness, trauma, abuse or else. These are called ED, Emotional Disabilities (or Emotionally Disturbed).

"The term Severely Emotionally Disturbed (or SED) is used to identify a child whose mental health condition causes him or her to have extreme difficulties at home, at school and with peer relations. Children with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders or who are oppositional defiant may be served under the special education program as a child with an emotional disturbance.  These children are often very intelligent and have the cognitive skills to complete school work, therefore SED is often called "The Invisible Handicap." Their behavioral concerns are frustrating and confusing to their family members, peers and others in the community.  Characteristics of children with SED include: (Source of Information: http://www.ih.k12.oh.us/esspeced/what_are_behavioral_and_emotiona.htm )

  • impulsivity, hyperactivity, or "out of control" behavior

  • episodes of extreme irritability, anger and outbursts

  • moods that change quickly and seemingly without reason

  • poor grades at school due to lack of work completion and behavioral problems

  • sadness, withdrawal, decreased energy level

  • inflexibility and low tolerance for frustration"

Examples are: anxiety, bipolar, depression, eating disorders, stress and trauma (PTSD for example), abuse and addictions.

Resources

There are many books dedicated to learning/emotional disabilities. These are a few of the recommended titles: (Sources of Information: http://www.kidica.com/education/learning/learning-disabilities.aspx and http://www.ih.k12.oh.us/esspeced/what_are_behavioral_and_emotiona.htm)

  • A Good Start in Life: Understanding Your Child's Brain and Behavior from Birth to Age 6 by Norbert Herschkowitz and Elinore Chapman Herschkowitz
  • A Mind At a Time by Dr. Mel Levine. "Different minds learn differently," writes Dr. Levine, one of the best-known learning experts and pediatricians in America today.
  • A Parent's Guide to Special Education by Linda Wilmshurst and Alan W. Brue

  • The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene

  • Asperger's Syndrome - A Guide for Parents and Professionals  by Tony Attwood

There are also numerous resources online: