10 - learning disorders Flashcards
What is the definition for a learning disability?
A learning disability is diagnosed when specific criteria are met, to the exclusion of other factors that may impair functioning.
Name the 5 criteria for a learning disability (not their subtypes).
A. History of academic functioning below the level typically expected for individuals of the same chronological age, or the need for excessive time or support to develop or maintain typical levels of academic function
B. Below average academic achievement (i.e., at least one standard deviation below the mean) in at least one of:
- Reading
- Writing
- Mathematics
C. Evidence that the difficulties in reading or writing or mathematics are logically related to deficits in psychological processes
D. At least average abilities essential for thinking and reasoning
E. Evidence that the difficulties in reading, writing, or mathematics cannot be accounted for primarily by factors such as… other conditions, env. factors, etc.
Elaborate on criterion A of a learning disability.
A. History of academic functioning below the level typically expected for individuals of the same chronological age, or the need for excessive time or support to develop or maintain typical levels of academic function
- reviewing report cards all the way back to grade 1 to see if there’s a history of low grades, cause it’s unusual to see very low grades in grade 1
Elaborate on criterion B of a learning disability.
B. Below average academic achievement (i.e., at least one standard deviation below the mean) in at least one of:
- Reading - indicated by any of…
–> word identification or pseudo-word reading
–> fluency in reading individual words or text
–> timed or untimed literal or inferential reading comprehension
- Writing - indicated by any of…
–> production fluency for handwriting or typing
–> spelling from dictation and in text
–> sentence structure
–> conventions of print
–> vocabulary; ideation; organization of written text
- Mathematics - indicated by any of…
–> calculation, including but not limited to: numeracy, algebra, geometry and calculation fluency
–> applications such as the understanding of time, money, measurement, data analysis
–> and word problem-solving including geometry and data interpretation
Elaborate on criteria C of a learning disability.
C. Evidence that the difficulties in reading or writing or mathematics are logically related to deficits in psychological processes, including…
- phonological processing
- orthographic processing
- rapid automatized naming
- memory
- processing speed
- receptive language
- expressive language
- visual-spatial abilities
- visual-motor integration
- executive functioning
if some of these areas are low, we see it as somewhat of an explanation for other deficits
True or false: we often see dissociation between ability to read and oral language (p.ex: 99th percentile in oral language and 5th percentile in written)
True
True or false: If academic AND cognitive scores are both lower than average, it is a learning disability.
False: Cognitive scores have to be average with lower academic scores to be a learning disability
- If academic scores AND cognitive scores are low, it would likely be an intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning
Elaborate on criteria E of a learning disability
E. Evidence that the difficulties in reading, writing, or mathematics cannot be accounted for primarily by factors such as…
- other conditions or disorders (p.ex: intellectual disabilities, uncorrected visual or auditory acuity, physical or chronic health disabilities…)
- environmental factors (p.ex: psychosocial adversity, inadequate or inappropriate educational instruction)
- insufficient motivation or effort
- cultural or linguistic diversity
–> p.ex: if you just arrived to Canada from a different country with a different language or different education, you can’t frame it as a learning disability, because there isn’t enough input to actually have been able to learn the “normal” amount based on Canadian criteria
What is the WIAT?
- The WIAT is a standardized academic test that assesses a child’s abilities
→ report cards don’t necessarily tell us that they aren’t able or capable of completing the work or even that they haven’t learned the same amount as other kids – this is why the WIAT is important to assess a child’s abilities
How do cognitive tests, such as the WISC, and academic tests, such as the WIAT, play together?
- With lower academic test scores in reading (but average scores in other areas in the WIAT test)
- and with higher cognitive scores, if there is no other explanation it is likely a learning disability
What are some comorbidity possibilities with learning disabilities?
- ADHD
- Disruptive behaviour disorders
- Depression
→ internalized troubles can be seen maybe because in school, you’re forced to keep doing the same thing that maybe you aren’t very good at, and that will influence esteem - Anxiety
What are the 2 step interventions for a learning disability?
-
Step 1: Early identification and intensive intervention (remediation)
→ p.ex: the Empower reading intervention
→ there is a subgroup of kids that are slower in learning to read, but who can catch up if they’re given intensive intervention - BUT there is the other subgroup who won’t catch up with intensive intervention and it’s difficult to know who is part of which group, so we try it with everyone early on, and see how it goes -
Step 2: Assess progress and provide accommodations if problems persist (compensation for inefficiency)
→ p.ex: calculator, screen reader, voice-to-text, use of word processor with spelling/grammar correction - other work around based on profile: e.g., memorize speeches instead of reading them for someone with a specific learning disorder in reading (where we used to say dyslexia p.ex)
→ if we say “learning disability” the diagnosis would be following Ontario guidelines, whereas a “specific” learning disorder” would be DSM
What is an intellectual disability?
- This happens when a child has lower than average cognitive scores (WISC)
What is the adaptive behaviour assessment system?
- This test shows us the severity of functioning of a child, based on adaptive rating
–> (behaviour in everyday life in order to function in your environment; taking the bus, dressing yourself, eating, prepping food, going to the bathroom, etc.) - Someone who knows the child (parent) will rate them on these skill areas:
- communication
- community use
- functional pre-academics
- home living
- health and safety
- leisure
- self-care
- self-direction
- social
- motor
What is intellectual giftedness?
- top 2% of the sample on a cognitive test
- score that’s around 1 in 50; 98th percentile
- would show very superior cognitive testing (WISC)
True or false: A child can have co-occurent giftedness and a learning disability
True: Superior WISC testing but below average WIAT testing
What is wisdom?
- “The balance theory defines wisdom as the use of one’s intelligence, creativity, common sense, and knowledge and as mediated by positive ethical values toward the achievement of a common good through a balance among…
1) (a) intrapersonal, (b) interpersonal, and (c) extrapersonal (community) interests,
2) over the (a) short and (b) long terms
3) to achieve a balance among (a) adaptation to existing environments, (b) shaping of existing environments, and (c) selection of new environments.”
→ do I adapt to the environment or to fit the circumstance, shift the environment i’m currently in, or change my environment entirely
→ you can never prioritize all of these at once, so you have to choose
How does one gain wisdom?`
- according to this theory, anytime you’re torn between decisions, you have to call upon your wisdom to decide what’s best
→ sternberg says some people get better at this overtime, and that’s gaining wisdom
→ you go through this process in a semi-conscious or conscious way
