PROF ED 232: SPECIAL AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. Define and identify common types of learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD.
2. Explain the impact of learning difficulties on academic performance and social-emotional well-being.
3. Recognize the signs and symptoms of learning difficulties in themselves or others.
4. Collaborate effectively with teachers, parents, and support staff to create a supportive and accommodating
environment for students with learning difficulties.

Learning Difficulties
Learning difficulties are a group of disorders involving significant difficulties in the acquisition and
use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical abilities. Described as having
specific processing certain forms of information. Unlike a learning disability, a learning difficulty does not
affect general intelligence (IQ).
Students with learning disabilities (LD) have difficulty acquiring basic skills or academic content due to
difficulty using or understanding spoken or written language.

Learning Characteristics of Learners with difficulties

 Problems reading and/or writing
 Problems with math
 Poor memory
 Problems paying attention
 Trouble following directions
 Clumsiness
 Trouble telling time
 Problems staying organized

A learning difficulty can be caused by neurodevelopment condition that affects the way a students
behaves and/or processes information. Neurodevelopment disorders are conditions that affects how your
brain functions. It is not the same thing as a learning disability. Learning difficulty can cause challenges with
an aspect of learning, and may not require as much support and someone with learning disability.

Common learning difficulties include:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD can mean that people with the condition have a short attention span and difficulty
concentrating, often getting easily distracted. This can make learning, working and even conversation more
challenging. In the Philippines alone, 80% of adolescents and 60% of adults have admitted to experiencing
symptoms of ADHD.

No evidences that ADHD is caused by;

 Eating too much sugar
 Food additives
 Allergies
 Immunizations

Dyslexia
People with dyslexia can have trouble with reading and writing. This is because they find it more
difficult to connect verbal sounds and speech with written words and letters. They have problems telling
apart letters with similar shapes, such as “d” and “b” or “p” and “q”. When you read, the brain decodes the
text so you know what each word sounds like and understand it. This decoding can be slower for people
with dyslexia, as can translating their thoughts into written words.

Dyslexia is highly genetic and runs in families. A child with one parent with dyslexia has a 30% to 50%
chance of inheriting it.
If you have dyslexia, you are neurodivergent.
Currently, no medications treat dyslexia. Instead, educational interventions can teach effective new ways to
learn and read. Dyslexia is not preventable, but it is often manageable with different strategies for learning
and reading.

Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia can cause people to struggle with math. They can have difficulty with relating a number
to its quantity, which presents problems with counting, sums and sequences. People with dyscalculia can
also struggle with directions and telling the time.

Dyscalculia tends to run in families. Research shows that genetics may also play a part in problems
with math. Brain development: Brain imaging studies have shown some differences between people with
and without dyscalculia.

In most cases, especially in children , experts don’t know why dyscalculia happens. There’s
evidence that learning disorders including dyscalculia may run in families. Dyscalculia is treatable in
children because their brains haven’t yet finished developing, making it possible for them to learn skills and
develop abilities they need to adapt to this condition.
Treatment usually takes the form of one-on-one learning program. Unfortunately, dyscalculia is not
considered treatable in adults unless it’s acquired dyscalculia. That is because their brains are fully
developed, meaning treatments like learning programs are lees likely to help them and the focus on
helping them is using technology or other methods.

Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a neurological condition in which someone has difficulty turning their thoughts into
written language for their age and ability to think, despite exposure to adequate instruction and education.
dysgraphia is common. Researchers estimate that 5% to 20% of people have dysgraphia.
Currently, no medications treat dysgraphia. Instead, educational interventions can teach effective,
new ways to write.

Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia, also known as development coordination disorder (DCD), is a chronic condition that
begins in childhood that causes difficulties with motor (movement) skills and coordination. Dyspraxia
(development coordination disorder) is relatively common. It affects approximately 6% of school-aged
children.
Researchers aren’t sure of the exact cause of dyspraxia. But being born pre-term (before 37 week
of pregnancy) and having a low birth weight put children at higher risk for having dyspraxia. There is no
cure for dyspraxia (development coordination disorder), but different types of therapies, such as
occupational therapy and physical therapy, can help children and adults with dyspraxia improve their motor
skills and coordination.

Different Strategies in Teaching, Assessing and Managing Learners with the

difficulty/disability

Teaching Strategies:
1. Differentiated Instruction - Tailoring instruction to meet individual students’ needs by adjusting content,
process, and product based on learning styles, abilities, and interests.

2. Multi-Sensory Instruction - Engaging multiple senses (e.g., visual, auditory, kinesthetic) to enhance
learning and memory retention, especially beneficial for students with dyslexia or other language-based
learning disabilities.

3. Explicit Instruction - Providing clear, direct, and structured teaching with a focus on modeling, guided
practice, and immediate feedback to support skill development.

4. Use of Visual Aids - Incorporating visual aids, graphic organizers, charts, and diagrams to facilitate
understanding and reinforce concepts for visual learners.

5. Chunking Information - Breaking down complex tasks or content into smaller, manageable chunks to
support comprehension and mastery of skills.
6. Flexible Learning Materials - Offering a variety of learning materials in different formats (written, visual,
auditory) to accommodate diverse learning preferences and needs.

7. Peer-Assisted Learning - Encouraging peer collaboration and support to enhance social interactions,
reinforce learning, and build confidence.

Assessing Strategies:

1. Formative Assessment - Using ongoing assessments, feedback, and monitoring to track student
progress, identify challenges, and adjust instruction accordingly.

2. Focus on strength – Create an environment where students are able to improve their learning by building
on their skills and also learning from their peers.

3. Build Relationships and Resilience- build a positive relationship in which the teacher clearly
demonstrates that they respect and believe in their student.

Managing Strategies:

1. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) - Developing personalized education plans with specific goals,
accommodations, and support services tailored to meet the unique needs of students with learning
difficulties.

2. Collaboration with Support Professionals - Working closely with special education teachers, counselors,
and support staff to coordinate interventions, provide resources, and monitor student progress.

3. Positive Behavior Support - implementing strategies to promote positive behavior, self-regulation, and
social emotional skills to create a supportive learning environment for students with learning difficulties.

• Causes and Prevention of the disability

Causes of Learning Difficulties:

1. Genetic Factors - Certain learning difficulties, such as dyslexia and ADHD, have a genetic component,
meaning they can run in families.

2. Neurological Conditions -Conditions like autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, and brain
injuries can contribute to learning difficulties by affecting cognitive functions and information processing.

3. Environmental Influences- Factors such as exposure to toxins, adverse childhood experiences, lack of
early stimulation, and inadequate educational resources can impact cognitive development and contribute
to learning difficulties.

4. Prenatal and Perinatal Factors - Complications during pregnancy, premature birth, low birth weight, and
prenatal exposure to substances like alcohol or drugs can increase the risk of learning difficulties.

5. Brain Development - Abnormalities or delays in brain development can affect learning abilities and
contribute to learning difficulties.

6. Social and Emotional Factors - Traumatic experiences, chronic stress, mental health conditions, and
social challenges can impact learning and academic performance.

7. Educational Experiences - Inadequate teaching methods, lack of individualized support, and limited
access to resources can also contribute to learning difficulties.

Prevention Strategies for Learning Difficulties:

1. Early Intervention - Identifying and addressing learning difficulties at an early age through screenings,
assessments, and interventions can help prevent academic challenges from escalating.

2. Promoting Healthy Development - Providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for children,
including access to quality education, healthcare, and support services, can promote healthy cognitive
development.

3. Parental Education and Support - Educating parents about child development, early literacy, and
effective parenting strategies can help create a supportive home environment for children at risk of
learning difficulties.

4. Teacher Training and Professional Development- Providing teachers with training in evidence-based
instructional strategies, differentiated instruction, and special education practices can enhance their ability
to support students with diverse learning needs.

5. Inclusive Education Practices - Implementing inclusive education practices that accommodate diverse
learning styles, abilities, and needs can create a supportive learning environment for all students.

6. Mental Health and Well-being Support - Addressing mental health issues, promoting social-emotional
learning, and providing counseling services can help students manage emotional challenges that may
impact learning.

7. Community Collaboration - Collaborating with healthcare providers, community organizations, and

support agencies to create a network of resources and services for individuals with learning difficulties can
enhance prevention and intervention efforts

REFERENCES:

https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of-concern/diagnoses/learning-difficulties/
https://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/learning-disabilities/a-to-z/l/learning-difficulties
https://exceptionalchildren.org/topics/learning-disabilities
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/signs
https://www.dignityhealth.org/las-vegas/services/neurological-care/neurodevelopmental-disorders
https://www.carehome.co.uk/advice/types-of-learning-disabilities
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/Causes-of-ADHD.aspx
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6005-dyslexia
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23949-dyscalculia
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23294-dysgraphia
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23963-dyspraxia-developmental-coordination-disorder-dcd