Dyscalculia is a learning disability that occurs when a child struggles in math. Dyscalculia doesn’t have a specific area of math that defines its diagnosis. Instead, dyscalculia can occur in any area of the large spectrum that is mathematics. It is very individualized, affecting one child in his ability to add numbers and another child in his ability to read the numbers correctly or put them in order. The disability of dyscalculia is often as individual as the child himself. What should schools be doing for children that are diagnosed with dyscalculia? Because there are so many different ways dyscalculia … Continue reading →

I was reading with interest a blog in the special needs section of Families.com by a blogger named Kristyn. This blog was about the different types of learning disabilities that could affect your child. I had already had it in mind to post several blogs about the different types of learning disabilities, but since Kristyn described them so well, I changed my mind. I would much rather focus on what can be done academically in a school setting to help children out that have each specific type of learning disability. If you read Kristyn’s blog, you can read a brief … Continue reading →

After teaching children with behavior disorders for several years, I often wondered exactly what parents of general education students thought of my students. Many of you may wonder why parents of general education students would even care about my students? After all, my students never crossed paths with their children, did they? In actuality, my students were often integrated into the general education classroom after they had exhibited appropriate behaviors in my special classroom. It always took a long time before my kids were integrated and we never made the choice in haste, it was well thought out. Many times … Continue reading →

When I was teaching, I was often torn about the labels put on my students. I taught behavior-disordered and learning-disabled students. Everyone knew it, even the other students. My “kids” as I called my students, knew they were labeled. It didn’t help when other students would make a point to tease my kids about going to a special class for the “bad” kids or the “dumb” kids. It didn’t help, even though I requested it be removed, to have the nameplate over my classroom door labeled with my name and “special education” under it. You see, this label was everywhere; … Continue reading →

The outcome of several lawsuits during the past year may well have a lasting impact on educational services for dyslexic students in the United States and Canada. In Vancouver BC, Jeffry Moore was a bright child who was severely dyslexic. In 1994 the centre for special needs students in North Vancouver where he had been referred for help was closed to save money. Officials told the Moores to find a private school if they wanted the help to continue. To a bus driver and a secretary, the bills were a huge burden. The filed a human rights complaint, and are … Continue reading →

In accordance with 2004 revisions in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, state and local departments of education now make a summary of parental and student rights, policies, and procedures available to parents of children who are classified for special services or who are requesting an evaluation. Usually available in the form of pamphlets or booklets, these summaries really help to cut some of the confusion for parents who must advocate for their children. When my son was evaluated in New Jersey in 1994, I was provided with minimal written information about policies, procedures, testing, classification, and so on. The … Continue reading →

The National Center for Learning Disabilities is a marvelous resource for parents who need to learn all they can about helping their children who have learning disabilities. This non profit organization founded in 1977 serves as a clearinghouse for information for teachers, parents, students, and advocates, and advocates for the best possible outcomes for learning disabled students and adults. A visit to their website, www.ncld.org, is very helpful if you are seeking resources. They have information about preschoolers, grade school, high school, and learning disabled adults. One of the unique things that they do is provide “LD Talk” chat sessions … Continue reading →

A senior at Dumont high school in Dumont NJ has just been accepted into the honors program at New Jersey Institute of Technology. In fact, Dan has also been accepted at 5 other colleges of his choice. Now he has a wonderful choice to make. Dan was the first classified student in his district to take an Advanced Placement course. (biochemistry). In his entrance essay, Dan noted that he is not done with “firsts” – he looks forward to a future of discovering new ideas and exceeding expectations Dan is dyslexic. He is also extremely bright. “Officially, there is no … Continue reading →