A simpler method encourages learners to go through the text and use symbols to indicate their understanding by recognizing:

• What they already know (use a checkmark).
• What new things they are learning (use an exclamation mark).
• What questions remain or have been raised (use a question mark).

The above methods or models follow basic good reading practices that many of us take for granted. The process of thinking about what we have read and monitoring our understanding has become so automatic for us that we may not even be conscious of the activity, let along view it as a strategy. In summary, any of the strategies can be helpful as long as the teaching of the strategies is carefully developed, given sufficient time and is closely monitored by the practitioner.

Expressive Writing

If learners are hesitant about their writing, start with tasks that interest them and that can lead to quick success. As learners' confidence in their writing skills increase, begin introducing more difficult writing tasks.⁴³ The areas to focus on will depend on the assessment of the learners' strengths and struggles and their end goals. Many adults with learning disabilities have always struggled with their writing and try to avoid it as often as possible. Generally, they have problems with product and process. Product problems include the use of few words, incomplete and/or very limited sentences, poor organization and structure, spelling and punctuation errors, etc. Process problems include learners having trouble with putting ideas on paper, monitoring their writing, and editing.