Learning Disabilities Training: A New Approach - Module 2

To provide an explanation for the difficulties that learners may experience
To provide information that will help in overcoming, getting around or coping with these difficulties⁴
To gather information to facilitate decision-making
To allow learners to demonstrate what they can do⁵
To change instructional methods, to add and modify strategies and accommodations
To set the stage for practitioners to help learners with suspected learning disabilities, to understand learners' strengths and weaknesses and the reasons behind their struggles and difficulties
To help practitioners identify special materials and strategies for setting up individualized learning plans for adults⁶

Rule out any physical cause first. Sometimes medical conditions may manifest themselves as a learning disability. Obtaining a detailed medical history helps to eliminate possible reasons for the challenges such as medication side effects, seizures, strokes, mental health disorders, or compulsive disorders.

Practitioners need to look for error patterns. The presence of consistent error patterns helps to distinguish between a learner who may just be at a low level of achievement due to a lack of education exposure or opportunity, versus a learner who has a suspected learning disability. The pattern of errors should be evident under a number of circumstances.