We All Learn Differently:

Facts, tips, and tools for addressing special needs

PowerPoint created by Kelsey Madges

I want to know more about:

Auditory Processing Disorder:

What is it?

Tips for parents

Tips for educators

Tips for students

Helping hands

Learning more

Asperger Syndrome:

What is it?

Tips for parents

Tips for educators

Tips for students

Helping hands

Learning more

Dysgraphia:

What is it?

Tips for parents

Tips for educators

Tips for students

Helping hands

Learning more*Disclaimer*

Auditory Processing Disorder

What is it?– Individuals with auditory processing disorders may

have normal hearing and intelligence but do not properly process auditory cues; something goes awry between hearing information and processing it in the brain.

– Auditory processing disorders can range from mild to severe and can co-exist with other difficulties, such as ADHD.

Auditory Processing Disorder

What is it?– Signs and symptoms of auditory processing disorder can

include:• Trouble paying attention and processing information presented

orally• Problems carrying out multi-step directions• Poor listening skills• Needing more time to process information• Low academic performance• Behavior problems• Language difficulty• Difficulty with reading, spelling, comprehension, and vocabulary

Auditory Processing Disorder

Tips for parents:– Reduce background noise.– Have your child look at you

when you’re speaking.– Use simple, expressive

sentences.– Speak at a slightly slower rate

and at a mildly increased volume.

– Make sure your child understands your directions and isn’t just copying your words.

– Build your child’s self esteem.

– Ask your child to repeat directions to you and to keep repeating them until the directions are completed.

– Provide your child with a quiet study place.

– Maintain a peaceful, organized lifestyle.

– Encourage good eating and sleeping habits.

– Assign regular, realistic chores, including keeping a neat room and desk.

Auditory Processing Disorder

Tips for educators:– Provide verbal directions in written form as well (on a card, on

the board).– Minimize background noise in the classroom (radios, etc.)– Avoid classrooms near a cafeteria, band room, gym, etc.– Keep words as simple and direct as possible.– Send important material home so parents may review it with

their child.– Use as many visual aids and cues as possible. – Allow time for processing of oral answers.– Work closely with the parents to support their child’s learning.

Auditory Processing Disorder

Tips for students:– Put information in categories.– Group information I have to learn into chunks

that make sense to you.– Practice solving riddles.– Ask the teacher to slow down if information is

coming too quickly.– Ask the teacher for another form of directions or

information if you need it.

Auditory Processing Disorder

Helping hands:– Intervention software:

• Earobics• LocoTour Media

– Auditory trainers:

auditory devices that allow a person to focus attention on a speaker and helps tune out background noise

Auditory Processing Disorder

Learning more:– NIDCD: National Institute on Deafness and Other

Communication Disorders• Auditory Processing Disorder in Children

– KidsHealth• Central Auditory Processing Disorder

– NYU Child Study Center• Central Auditory Processing Disorder

– LD OnLine• Auditory Processing Order in Children

Asperger Syndrome

What is it?– Asperger Syndrome is considered to be an

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as well as a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD).

– It is characterized by some degree of impairment in language or communication skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought or behavior.

Asperger Syndrome

What is it?– Signs and symptoms of Asperger Syndrome include:

• Speech might be stilted or repetitive• Conversations revolve around self• Voice tends to be flat and void of emotion• Obsession with complex topics (i.e. patterns, weather, music, history)• Often described as eccentric• Lacking in common sense• Thinking is very concrete (as opposed to abstract)• Tendency to be physically clumsy or awkward • Difficulty reading social cues and recognizing other people’s feelings

Asperger Syndrome

Tips for parents:– Look for education or training programs for parents to learn the best

ways to help your child.

– Teach your child self-help skills.

– Make sure to communicate with others about your child’s special needs; they may not be as obvious as with other disorders.

– Look for treatment options and programs that focus on long-term outcomes.

– Balance your child’s needs with those of other family members.

– Find support for yourself when necessary. Look for local resource and support groups.

Asperger Syndrome

Tips for educators:– Avoid abstract ideas when possible; and use visual cues, gestures, and written words

when you must deal in abstractions.

– Students may be quite literal, until you know a student’s level of understanding you should avoid using:

• Idioms

• Double meanings

• Sarcasm

• Nicknames

– Be as concrete as possible and be aware that the student may not be able to read your social cues (body language, tone of voice, etc.)

– Break a difficult task into smaller steps or represent it in different ways (i.e. visually, vocally, physically).

– Be sensitive to social issues when putting students in pairs or groups; if left to their own devices these students may not end up with a partner.

Asperger Syndrome

Tips for students:– Ask an adult to help you practice how to behave in

a new situation.– Get moving! Exercise helps you play more.– Have a schedule to refer to so you know what is

coming next.– Repeat instructions to an adult so you both know

you understand them.– Work with an adult to establish a safe place you

can go to if you are feeling overwhelmed and need a break.

Asperger Syndrome

Helping hands:– Software

• Gaining Face: Facial Recognition Software• Inspiration

– Hardware• AlphaSmart 3000

Asperger Syndrome

Learning more:– KidsHealth

• Asperger Syndrome– MAAP Services

• All about Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Related Developmental Disorders

– Center for the Study of Autism• Asperger’s Syndrome

– National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke• Asperger Syndrome Fact Sheet

– Yale Developmental Disabilities Clinic• Asperger’s Syndrome Guidelines for Treatment and Intervention

– O.A.S.I.S. Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support• What is Asperger Syndrome?

Dysgraphia

What is it?– Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects

writing abilities. – Dysgraphia may manifest itself through difficulties

with spelling, handwriting, and putting thoughts on paper.

– Dysgraphia can also result in producing incorrect words when writing.

– Dysgraphia is a processing problem and may overlap with other learning disabilities.

Dysgraphia

What is it?– Signs and symptoms of dysgraphia include:

• Tight, awkward pencil grip and body position• Illegible handwriting• Avoiding writing or drawing tasks• Tiring quickly while writing• Saying words out loud while writing• Unfinished or omitted words in sentences• Difficulty organizing thoughts on paper• Difficulty with syntax structure and grammar• Large gap between written ideas and understanding

demonstrated through speech

Dysgraphia

Tips for parents:– Assist your child in using a computer to type assignments when

possible.

– Help your child break homework tasks requiring writing into manageable pieces.

– Communicate with your child’s teacher to find out what kind of writing utensils and paper you should have at home to assist with homework and other writing tasks.

– Communicate with your child’s teacher so you might duplicate the accommodations being made for your child at school.

– Manage your schedule so that you leave your child plenty of time to complete homework (or any writing) tasks.

Dysgraphia

Tips for educators:

– Allow students to use print or cursive writing; whichever is more comfortable.

– Provide large graph paper for math assignments; the rows and columns make it easier to keep numbers properly aligned.

– Provide an alternative to writing, especially long assignments, when possible.

– When students do write, encourage proper pencil grip and posture.– Timed assignments should not be judged on neatness or spelling.– Allow plenty of time for assignments which must be written.– Encourage students to complete writing assignments in a series of

small steps.– Encourage the use of a spell checker. Students can spell check

written work for each other.

Dysgraphia

Tips for students:– Put ideas together and consider how you want your

assignment to look before you start to write.– Organize your thoughts and ideas.– Create an outline or graphic organizer to make sure all your

ideas are included.– List key thoughts and words you’ll use for an assignment

before you write.– Learn to use a word processor and complete assignments

with it when possible.– See if you can use an audio recorder to help with note

taking. You can also get your pre-writing thoughts down in an audio recording.

Dysgraphia

Helping hands:– Software:

• Microsoft Word or similar word processing program

• Inspiration• Voice recognition tools

Dysgraphia

Learning more:– National Center for Learning Disabilities

• Dysgraphia• Dysgraphia: A Quick Look

– National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

• Dysgraphia Information Page

– LD OnLine• What is Dysgraphia

Disclaimer

Information for this presentation was gathered from the resources listed on the “Learning more” slides.

If you are concerned by any symptoms your child is exhibiting, please contact your family doctor.