Help with historical context of attitudes & approaches 2wards ppl with learnin disabilities?

Question

im doin a course on learning disabilities and need 2 find out ways in which the historical context of attitudes and approaches towards ppl with learning disabilites still has some impact on their present day experiences

Answer 1

My god this is a loaded question i will do my best to give has much information without taking over the answer page

Definition :- Learning disabilities is a general term that refers to a heterogeneous or a mixed group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical abilities. These disorders are intrinsic or internal to the individual presumed to be due to central nervous dysfunction and may occur across the life span. It is important to stress from the outset that one must not confuse a learning disability with other handicapping situations; such as mental retardation, slow learning, hyperactivity or emotional problems. The learning disable individual has a unique set of characteristics.

Characteristics

            

1) A repeated history of academic failure. These failure patterns are often repeated. They are expected to fail, hence a drop in attempts to achieve.

2) Physical disturbances :- Interacting with learning difficulties; e.g.:- minor loss of sight or hearing can cause incorrect learning habits. This in turn leads to a major learning disability beyond the scope of the original problem.

3) Motivational abnormalities :- Repeated failure, rejection by teachers and peers, lack of reinforcement ; all these divert interests from normal educational pursuits and generally lower or shift motivation.

4) A vague feeling of anxiety :- It is probably due to repeated failures. This feeling may produce restlessness, uneasiness, and inattentiveness.

5) Unpredictable behavior :-The overall academic production record of the learning disability. Child is bound to be uneven. His work in a given area will wildly fluctuate in comparison to children of his age.

6) Incomplete education :- Many children who are said to be slow, disturbed or retarded have been wrongly diagnosed as so and are in fact learning disabled children.

7) Inadequate education :- This is an important characteristic. By definition, it is understood that a learning disabled child is capable of better performance than is being produced, but the child may not have had the type, quality or sequence of learning experience which he needs for normal learning. Often there is a poor match between classroom activities and the individual child’s need.

Others :- These exist or are present.

          

• Usually short attention span.

• Lack of concentration.

• Poor perceptual ability.

• Significantly lower reading ability.

• Word substitution that distorts meaning like writing when for where.

• Lack of auditory and visual attention.

• General co – ordination deficits.

• Low frustration tolerance and mood fluctuation.

• Hyperactivity.

• Impulsivity.

• Disorder of memory.

Learning Disability :- Types :-

• ADHD : Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.

• ADD : Attention Deficit Disorder.

              It is a disturbance of at least 6 – month duration. In that period at least 8 of the 14 symptoms are present.

Symptoms :-

1) Often fidgets with hands or feet and squirms in the seat continuously.

2) Has difficulty remaining seated when required to do so.

3) Is easily distracted by external stimulus.

4) Has difficulty awaiting turns in games or group situation.

5) Often blurts out answers before the question is completed.

6) Has difficulty following through instructions from others. But the difficulty is not due to oppositional behavior or failure to comprehend.

7) Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.

8) Often shifts from one activity to another.

9) Has difficulty playing quietly.

10) Often talks excessively.

11) Often interrupts on others.

12) Often doesn’t seem to listen to what is being said.

13) Often loses things necessary for task or activity at school or at home.

14) Often engages in physically dangerous activities but not for the purpose of seeking them but without considering the possible consequences.

These items are listed on the basis of DSM – III R Criteria, which means (Diagnostic Statistical Manual 3rd revision).

A criteria is only met if the behavior is considerably more frequent than most of the children of the same age. (These behaviors should be before the onset of 7 years – observed by 7 years).

Academic Remediation in Class :-

  

• Personal attention, close to the teacher.

• Multiple chaos.

• Interact and involve parents.

• Maintain eye –contact.

• Sits on 1st bench.

• Keep the child occupied as often as possible.

• Keep asking questions regularly.

• Encourage to communicate of interact.

• Always adult should assist.

• Short span tasks.

• Keep reminding him to do things.

• Prepare him for the near future tasks, like free play after writing therefore, keep him informed. No sudden questions.

• All distractions are away from children.

• An outlet to an energy – pounding, punching, hammering.

• Before asking any questions, have eye – contact, make sure he listens and then begin asking him question with child, name, pause for a while till he pays close attention.

• Clear and concise questions.

• Reinforcement and put away unnecessary materials.

• Time out.

• Good rapport and trial and error technique.

• Checklist system – comes late – always pair up child with a balanced child who can help him.

hope this will help there is so much to read / say about L-D i could turn into the bore of the year. lol

good luck

Answer 2

All i can think of to say to you is that thank heavens in this day and age not as many people use that horrific phrase "deaf and dumb" which is guaranteed to make me as mad as a boiled hen!  If people say it with regard to my son i just turn the question round and say that my son is "deaf and with limited speech" which i think sounds much better! Hope this helps!!

Answer 3

ppl with learning disabilities are cared for and looked after a lot better now and they are being accepted more in schools, work places and recreation buildings - some of them are still not confident on their own outside or in their home but i hope this improves over the next few years - there's a whole lot of names that this group has been called and i hope we are a wiser and more caring nation and keep these names in the past - everyone is human and we all have a  heart but depending how we use it reveals what kind of person we are - good luck with your course - i work with people with mental and physical disabilities so if you need any help don't hesitate to get in touch

lynda

Answer 4

Mostly in the work force.  People assume that because they are disabled, they can't work as well and don't deserve a fair wage.  This thinking dates way back, they were institutionalized instead of given an oportunity to become a working adult.  My daughter, now 25, works as well, even better in some cases, as others and has a better attitude and work ethic and yet after 5 years with the company she works for, she has been told she will max out on raises when she reaches the amount the hire in new people for.  This is not fair but there is little I can do about it.  Anytime she is given something new, she spends time at home and with a job coach (who is paid for by the State) to learn the new thing.  She can do everything, but has trouble giving change from memory which doesn't matter, they use a machine that tells them how much change to give and if it quits working, they don't sell anything, they shut down.  I know of several people she works with that can't give change without the machine telling them how much, but, because she is disabled, mentally, they hold it against her.  

Hope this is what you were asking for.

Answer 5

Years ago people with learning difficulties were locked away in institutions as it was felt they were not fit to be in society. Left in the institutions they were not allowed to develop what skills they had. Infact many were de-skilled, not allowed to decide what to wear, what to eat and drink (simple decisions that we take for granted), not educated etc

Nowadays although many still hold this view, attitudes are changing. Many still see the disability before they see the person. They don't realise that the person has dreams just as everyone else has.

Now people are working towards social inclusion, integration, developing peoples skills and raising awareness. They do alot of good work.

I for one support them all the way.