Modifications for Learning Disabled student?

Question

What type of classroom and lesson modifications should you use in order to effectively help a male 12 year old student who is repeating 3rd grade, and is having increasingly significant problems with inattention, over activity, and impulsiveity in the fom of disruptive behavior and talking. He is below grade level in math and reading, he also has short term memory problems and can not seem to follow directions. How can he be accomidated physically, what type of instructional materials could be helpful to teach him about percentages, what type of assessment accomidations should be used, what kind of activities for transitional needs (between grades) could be effective, what should the role of the special education teacher and the math teacher be.....? Lesson modifications?

Answer 1

The first problem here, and it's a big one, is that no 12 year old should be in a third grade class for any reason.   That is completely inappropriate for this student as well as his 8-9 year old classmates.  

Second, if this child has a learning disability, I will assume that it has been diagnosed and that he has an IEP .  His IEP should contain the goals and objectives for the skills he needs to learn.  This is more than modification.  This is special education (SDI= specially designed instruction).  The IEP should also spell out where he is to receive his SDI.  And that would be in either a special education setting, such as a resource room or self-contained classroom, or within the general education setting.  In his case that would be in a sixth or seventh grade class.

The special education law states that students must be served in the "Least Restrictive Environment" and that does not mean with students who are three or four years younger.   In a third grade classroom this child is out of place socially, emotionally, and physically.   He just doesn't belong there, so I won't suggest any ways to accommodate him physically.

I don't know what his diagnosis is, but being three to four years behind academically is somewhat unusual for a learning disability.  

His increasing problems with inattention, impulsivity, and disruptive behavior may be related to a number of different things.  Does he have an attention deficit disorder?   Is he inattentive because the material being presented to him is inappropriately easy or difficult?  He may also be suffering emotional difficulties because of his inappropriate classroom setting.

You mention that he is below grade level in reading and math and want to know how to teach him to calculate percentages.  I wonder whether he has the requisite skills to learn that skill at this time.

The role of the special education teacher is to provide his specially designed instruction or to supervise whoever is providing it.  The math teacher's job is to teach the math lessons for the class s/he is teaching.  The degree of modification this student needs is well beyond what the general education teacher can manage while teaching the general education lesson.  That is why this child needs special education services.

You need to address his inappropriate placement as soon as possible and then find out which of his other problems are still evident.

(BTW: If you have an IEP any accommodations needed should be included in that document.  You do not have an IEP and a 504 Plan at the same time.   A 504 Plan is only for individuals who do not need an IEP.)

Answer 2

You don't really say specifically what his learning disabilites are or whether the child has an IEP.  So I will give you advice.  Get him tested if not.  Sounds like the child has more going on than just a learning disability.  I am not going to say your child has ADHD because that isn't for me to diagnose.  I would recommend a complete evaluation be done by a licensed school psychologist.  You need to know what your dealing with before you can worry about modifications.  If your child is 12 and in third grade, I would say your child has significant learning disabilites.  You need to know what they are before you can deal with them.  I would also recommend a complete Neuropsych eval.  My son was labeled with ADHD before all testing was done.  It turns out he has CAPD (central auditory processing disorder) which mimics ADD.

Answer 3

You don't mention but I am sincerely hoping this 12 year old is not in a class with age appropriate 3rd graders!  If he is, a large part of the problem is that he is being socially ostracized and singled out (unintentionally) as having "something wrong" with him.  He should be placed into a class that works not only with his learning issues but in which he is surrounded by children of similar age and developmental levels.

Answer 4

I can't answer all of your questions in this small space, but I can address some of them. I am going to assume you have an IEP because you know that your child has a short term memory deficit and usually knowing that is the result of psychological testing.

Students with short term memory deficits need to have a visual copy of all material that is presented verbally. They even have trouble when the teacher uses an overhead, so a desk copy of anything that is on the overhead would be helpful.

Your son could also use a visual schedule of how to do a transition, such as a sequence of put away your book, get out another book, listen to the teacher etc. With short term memory deficit, visuals help students remember what they are supposed to be doing. Go to the website, "Do2learn" to see some possible visual schedules.

If your son has an IEP, look on your "Services" page to see how much time he is supposed to spend getting resource help. Make sure he is getting it. Go to the Accommodations page and see what he is supposed to be getting and make sure he is getting it. Also, sit down with the school psychologist so that she or he can further explain the ramifications of his learning disabilities. In addition, consider that he may need more help than he is getting. This could mean more resource help or a smaller class.

If you don't have an IEP or if he is not eligible, go to the school counselor to discuss a child study meeting or whatever it is called in your district. That will start a process that includes an academic improvement plan and then referral for special ed testing if it doesn't work. If they drag their feet, demand it.

You must advocate for your son to get what he needs. Be nice but firm and don't hesitate to get your special ed director involved. Finally, work with your son to teach him how to change materials, write a heading on his paper etc. Teaching these behaviors will really help.

Answer 5

I think he needs to be in a EIP class. the internet can explain everything. you need to get a 504 plan for him also.

Answer 6

have u asked the school for help. has he had any testing done or been diagnosed with adhd? either way the school should get involved. my son has add(non-hyperactivity). still he has same learning disabilities. gets in school and out of school help. good luck.