Educational Psychology & Specialist Literacy Tutoring.
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Learning Disorders
What are learning disorders?
Learning Disorders (LD), or learning disabilities, are umbrella terms for a wide variety of learning problems. Children with learning disorders most often don't have problems with motivation and intelligence. In fact, most are just as smart, if not smarter, than others their age. Their brains are simply wired differently which can affect how they receive and process information.
A Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) relates to learning challenges in one or more areas of reading, writing and mathematics. The difficulties experienced are not due to other conditions such as, vision or hearing problems, intellectual disability or neurological condition, poor attendance or access to formal learning, or difficulties with speaking or understanding the language. Parents and teachers often express their concerns as 'unexpected academic under-achievement'.
How do I know if my child has a learning disorder?
Learning disorders vary from child to another. Children who don’t have a learning disability may still experience some of the challenges from time to time. However, it is important to be aware of ongoing difficulty in your child’s ability to master certain skills. There is no single symptom or profile that you can look to as proof of a problem however, it is important to monitor the following challenges being experienced:
- Ages 5 - 9 years
- Trouble learning the connection between letters and sounds
- Unable to blend sounds to make words
- Confuses basic words when reading
- Slow to learn new skills
- Consistently misspells words and makes frequent errors
- Trouble learning basic math concepts
- Difficulty telling time and remembering sequences
- Ages 10 - 13 years
- Difficulty with reading comprehension or math skills
- Trouble with open-ended test questions and word problems
- Dislikes reading and writing; avoids reading aloud
- Poor handwriting
- Poor organizational skills (bedroom, homework, desk is messy and disorganized)
- Trouble following classroom discussions and expressing thoughts aloud
- Spells the same word differently in a single document
Reading Disorders - Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a term that refers to difficulties with reading. Basic reading problems occur when there is difficulty understanding the relationship between sounds, letters and words. Reading comprehension problems occur when there is an inability to grasp the meaning of words, phrases, and paragraphs.
- Signs of dyslexia includes problems with:
- letter-sound connections
- letter and word recognition
- reading speed, fluency and accuracy
- general vocabulary or word knowledge skills
Writing Disorders - Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a term used to describe difficulties putting thoughts on to paper. Basic writing disorders refers to physical difficulty forming words and letters. Expressive writing disability indicates a struggle to organize thoughts on paper. Symptoms of a written language learning disability revolve around the act of writing.
- Signs of dysgraphia includes problems with:
- speed, neatness and consistency of writing
- spelling accuracy
- punctuation and grammar accuracy
- writing organization and coherence
Mathematics Disorders - Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia describes difficulties learning number related concepts or using the symbols and functions to perform math calculations. Learning disabilities in math vary greatly depending on the child’s other strengths and weaknesses. A child’s ability to do math will be affected differently by a language learning disability, or a visual disorder or a difficulty with sequencing, memory or organization.
- Signs of dyscalculia includes problems with:
- poor number sense
- basic facts accuracy
- accurate or fluent calculation
- accurate math reasoning.
Language Disorders - Dysphasia
A Language disorder relates to ongoing challenges with learning and using language due to an underdeveloped vocabulary, difficulty with sentence structure and comprehension across spoken, written and sign language. Please note, in New Zealand, speech-language therapists are the specialists in this area.
- Signs of dysphasia includes problems from an early age with:
- difficulty with speech sound production (Speech Sound Disorder)
- word knowledge (vocabulary) and use is well below others the same age
- difficulty with word recall
- limited sentence structure
- poor organisation and sequencing of ideas on a topic
- difficulty understanding and following instructions.
Educational Psychology Services
What is an educational psychologist?
Educational Psychologists apply psychological knowledge and theory from research in the areas of learning and development, to assist children, young persons, adults and their families regarding their learning, academic performance, behavioural, social and emotional development, by using psychological and educational assessments and applying interventions using systemic, ecological and developmental approaches. NZ Psychologists Board
Assessments
Learn To Learn assessments are designed to answer referral concerns using a range of information sources as well as specialist only test batteries, standardized for New Zealand and Australia. As well as considering developmental, neurological and environmental aspects, assessments focus on two key areas, intelligence and achievement. Assessing intelligence provides insight into thinking and reasoning abilities, strengths and challenges, learning styles and, academic potential. Assessing levels of achievement provides a picture of current academic skills in oral language, reading, writing, and/or mathematics. In combination, this allows for direct analysis of differences between intelligence and academic ability needed to diagnose learning disorders.
Main assessment batteries:
- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 5th Edition: Australian & New Zealand Standardised Edition (WISC V A&NZ).
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 4th Edition: Australian & New Zealand Standardised Edition (WAIS IV A&NZ)
- Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Third Edition: Australian & New Zealand Standardised (WIAT III A&NZ).
Individual learning plans
At Learn To Learn, assessment informs the development of individual learning plans. Typically, these involve tailoring and implementing our specialist literacy tuition to fit a child's needs. Alternatively, with parent and school agreement, Paul can consult in the development of individualized education programmes within the school environment.
Special assessment conditions
Students with learning disorders are often able to apply for special assessment conditions or accommodations in examinations to compensate for the challenge(s) they experience. For secondary school students, formal applications are generally made in Year 10.
Depending on the type of exam and administering organisation there are a range of accommodations such as, a reader, use of a writer or scribe and/or, use of a computer (with no WiFi access):
- National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) - Special Assessment Conditions
- Cambridge Assessment International Education (Cambridge) - Access Arrangements
- International Baccalaureate (IB) - Inclusive Assessment Arrangements
- Massey University - Additional Assistance with Examinations
- The University of Auckland - Special Exam Conditions
Formal reporting
A formal report presents assessment information, explanations, analysis including diagnosis of a learning disorder if the necessary criteria are met and, recommendations. It is useful for schools by creating greater understanding about the challenges being experienced and possible supports, for medical and other professionals for the clinical information it presents and, to support applications for special assessment conditions.
specialist literacy tuition
What does the research say?
The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) estimates 5 to 10 % of school-age children struggle with learning challenges, particularly with reading. Students with dyslexia and dysgraphia need to master the same basic knowledge about language and its relationship to our writing system as any who seek to become competent readers and writers.
However, with the learning challenges our students experience, they need more help than most people in sorting, recognizing, and organizing the raw materials of language for thinking and use. Language elements that non-dyslexic learners acquire easily must be taught directly and systematically.
The IDA's research has shown that the most effective treatments for reading disorder are structured, targeted strategies that address phonological awareness, decoding skills, comprehension and fluency. Treatments for writing problems are in two general areas: the process of writing and composing written expression. The IDA recommends an Orton Gillingham-type approach which covers these areas.
What is Specialist Literacy Tuition?
At Learn To Learn, we use specialized Level C accredited pre and post assessments, to understand our students' strengths and challenges, design literacy interventions and, track progress.
Our literacy interventions use proven Orton Gillingham methods and are based on the Sonday System. The Orton-Gillingham Approach is a direct, explicit, multi-sensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic, and prescriptive way to teach literacy when reading, writing, and spelling does not come easily to individuals, such as those with dyslexia and dysgraphia.