Class 4

EPSE 317Week 4

Nonverbal Learning Disabilities

This is Gerald…

This is Strathdon Elementary School in Prince Rupert

• Gerald is in grade 3 at Strathdon.

• He’s been there ever since kindergarten, so everybody knows him.

• His family grew up in Prince Rupert.

– Dad is a fisherman; Mom is a TA

– Gerald’s big brother is in grade 10 at the local high school. He had lots of suspensions but is now in an alternate program that seems to be working well for him.

Gerald Loves Music!

• He sings beautifully…

• Gerald learned to talk early

• But was slow to walk, use a spoon, dress independently and play with other kids in the neighbourhood

He’s very clumsy on his feet…

• He seems to prefer to run rather than walk

• but he doesn’t navigate very well and bumps into other kids

• And then he doesn’t understand why they’re mad at him…

• Gerald hates PE and isn’t good at any sports.

• He clowns a lot in gym, in what looks like an attempt to get out of activities.

– This annoys the other kids and his gym teacher.

All this puzzles Gerald’s teachers

• Because he learned to read very quickly and seemingly easily, they think he’s intelligent.

• But he’s really hopeless at math. – He memorized the times tables, but he doesn’t seem

to know how to use them.– His math sheets are disgracefully sloppy and full of

errors.

• His behaviour puzzles them. They tell him the rules about running, and he nods and repeats them and then…off he goes and body-checks another classmate.

• Gerald spends recess by himself, usually with a book and his snack…

• And he’s a really grossly messy eater, so by the end of recess he’s wearing the snack. Same for lunch.

• He’s also slow to get in and out of his shoes and jacket.

• His teachers think he doesn’t like spelling.

– After all, if he can read so well, why can’t he spell?

• He breaks pencils constantly.

His teacher is always telling him to clean up his desk…

• …which he falls out of frequently.

What’s Going On?

• Is Gerald just an annoying slob?

• Let’s think about this…

– What do we know?

– What is he good at?

– What’s bothering us as teachers?

• Who can clarify this stuff?

School-based team

• Regular coaching re hall behaviour

• Lined graph paper to tidy up output

• Bigger worksheets

• Work on self-esteem

– more singing

– Link with buddy who is a poor reader, but good at math

• District behaviour specialist– A program:

– Rehearse about hallway behaviour before recess, etc.

– Establish athletic “buddies” for recess.

– Contracts re desk organisation, spelling, and math

– Limit number of trips to pencil sharpener to reduce breakage

– Extinction for clowning

– Find what motivates Gerald (likely music)• Access to singing contingent on meeting behavioural objectives

• Psychologist…• IQ

– Verbal: 120 with strengths in memory and information, relative weakness in social comprehension and arithmetic

– Nonverbal: 65 with particular weakness in block design and coding;

• Visual motor integration: Very low

• Adaptive abilities: very low

• Doesn’t meet criteria for ADHD

• Conner’s Behavioural Checklist—concerns re anxious-shy, social problems

• Physiotherapist– Problems in fine-motor and gross-motor

coordination

– Balance

– Spatial perception

• Occupational therapist: written output disorder

• Optometrist– 20-20 vision

Paediatrician?

• NLD, like many disorders can be associated with other conditions

• We know Gerald’s big brother finds school difficult, is there some kind of association here?

Nonverbal Learning Disability

• Refresher: Definition of LD– Learning disabilities refers to a number of

disorders that may affect the acquisition, organization, retention, understanding or use of verbal or nonverbal information. These disorders affect learning in individuals who otherwise demonstrate at least average abilities essential for thinking and/or reasoning.

As such, learning disabilities are distinct from global intellectual disabilities.

• NLD: Primary stuff– Impaired social skills

• Difficulty reading social cues

• Physical awkwardness

• Difficulty using space

– Conceptual reasoning • Maybe associated with spatial perception?

• Language ability seems to deteriorate

• Impacts math

Secondary Stuff

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Anger

• Social exclusion

Other possibilities

NLD

Developmental Coordination

Disorder

Asperger’sSyndrome

Good news (maybe)

• You don’t have to diagnose…

• Financial issues…

• NLD won’t bring the district any money, so support may be limited

• Asperger’s needs a high-level diagnosis

– A trip to Terrace?

• DCD??

– Can you put together an IEP that matches this?

IEP

• Information

• Assessments

– Record behaviour specialist’s involvement and its effect

– Psychologist

– Physiotherapist

– Other clinicians

– Achievement, other school reports

Strengths and Needs

• Strengths– Music– Auditory memory– Reading– Some aspects of language

• Needs– Social skills– Math– Language comprehension– Physical coordination– Emotional health

IEP

• Goals:

• Strategies:

• Who’s gonna do what?

• When do we know things are working? – Timing of review

– Criteria—what are we looking for?

Goals:

• Social

– Safety in hallway etc.

– Recess

– Reading social cues

• Learning

– Reading social cues

– Math

– Comprehension in reading

Instruction should be primarily verbal

• Integrate verbal and visual

– http://www.do2learn.com/subscription/product_details/Faceland/video_Faceland2.html

• Try watching film clips with the sound off

– Observe, explain, predict

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfGWPpPy0uw

• Teach how to talk through an activity

Adapt environment

• Give more space and time

– Extra places to keep stuff out of his desk

– Talk through where stuff goes

“Before I go home, I…1. Put my pencils in my pencil bag and then into my backpack

2. Put my books in my box unless I’m using them tonight in which case I

3. Put them in my backpack

4. Put paper in my binder and have Ms. Z (the aide) make sure they’re tidy…

• For kids with spatial and balance processing, it can be helpful to let them leave the room before their classmates.

– Give an errand…

• Gym may need to be adapted—kids need exercise, but will not be good at team activities.

Reading comprehension=social comprehension?

• http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid46047440001?bclid=6310972001&bctid=5545012001

Technology

• Computer

• Maybe even voice-recognition software

Positive Behaviour Support

• School-wide coaching re difference, and inclusion.

• What to do if someone knocks you down…etc.

Maintain and build strengths