Definition

A learning disability is a permanent neurological condition that affects the manner in which information is received, organized, remembered, and then retrieved or expressed. Learning Disabilities are not a form of mental retardation, behavioral, motivational, or emotional issues. However, a student who has dealt with LD will probably have experienced frustration, and as a result may deal with these types of issues.

By definition students with learning disabilities must possess average to above average intelligence. The disability is demonstrated by a significant discrepancy between expected and actual performance in one or more of the basic functions: memory, oral expression, listening comprehension, written expression, basic reading skills, reading comprehension, mathematical calculation, or mathematical reasoning.

Assistive Technology Contracts and Instructional Videos

North Idaho College offers assisitve technology software training such as: Kurzweil (screen reading and editing software), Dragon Naturally Speaking (voice recognition software), ZoomText ( screen enlargement software), JAWS ( screen reader software), RFB&D (Vicror vibe and Dolphin audio book software) and continued support in order to accommodate and provide equal access to students.

Adults who have Learning Disabilities (LD)

Students who have LD may demonstrate one or more problem characteristics in the following areas:

  • Study Skills: Inability to effectively organize and budget time, take notes/outline material, follow directions, complete assignments on time.
  • Writing Skills: Frequent spelling errors, incorrect grammar, poor penmanship, poor sentence structure, inability to effectively take notes while listening to class lectures, problems with organization.
  • Oral Language: Inability to effectively understand oral language when lecturer speaks fast, remember a series of events in sequence, pronounce multi-syllabic words or attend to long lectures, poor vocabulary and word recall, problems with correct grammar.
  • Reading Skills: Slow reading rate, inaccurate comprehension, poor retention, poor tracking skills (skip words, lose place, miss lines), difficulty with complex syntax on tests, incomplete mastery of phonics.
  • Math Skills: Computational skill difficulties, difficulty with reasoning, difficulty with basic math operation (multiplication tables), number reversals, confusion of symbols, difficulty copying problems, difficulty with concepts of time and money.
  • Social Skills: Spatial disorientation, low frustration level and self-esteem, impulsive, disorientation in time, difficulty with delaying problem resolution.

Although some skills can be improved none of the above issues can be entriely resolved in a student with an LD through practice or education.

Accommodations for Learning Disabled Students may include…

  • Alternative format for testing (i.e., extended time, proctored testing in a quiet, separate area).
  • Extended time to complete course work.
  • Preferential seating.
  • Reduced course load, priority scheduling, and substitutions for non-essential courses.
  • Lecture capture, lecture notes, audio books, materials and tests, oral testing.
  • Student use of assistive technology / spell check and allowing the use of a calculator.
  • Increasing the frequency of tests or examinations (to provide smaller portions of information at a time).

All accommodation approvals are based on documented need.