Various Learning Disabilities

Children With Learning Disabilities
By Aaron Schwartz

Among children of school age there is a limited group which can not be taught by a general, common program; this group includes children with various learning disabilities. These disabilities can concern inability to read, problems in math reasoning, difficulties with syntax, some visual and audio difficulties.

These children cannot follow properly the regular school program because of their learning disabilities but they can profit by a restricted and adjusted program. The problem of their efficient education is really pressing one.

The philosophy of the instructional design consists in the following. Very often children with learning disabilities cannot gasp even the simplest connection and relations between objects and phenomena without the teacher?™s help. Because of this it is necessary to create certain educational conditions, when children can acquire elementary skills laid down in a special program. In order to prepare such children for later vocational education, for work and life in general, they should have handwork lessons, practical activities in experimental situations, take part in excursions. Such children should be taught elementary systematic knowledge and skills: their native language, natural sciences, mathematics, geography and one or the other vocational subject. The instruction of children with defects should be directed not only at providing the necessary skills but also at correction and compensation of their learning disabilities. These children should be prepared for socially useful life.

Children with learning disabilities usually have serious problem in studying. Such problems can develop into children?™s lagging behind and poor progress. The problems can concern general and deep lagging behind of many subjects and for a long time, as well as partial or episodic lagging behind in one or several very difficult subjects.

It is very hard for children with learning disabilities to organize their time, to take notes and follow teacher?™s instructions. They are unable to understand the point of the task adequately, to see their work in proper perspective. Such children are characterized by passivity, inattention, by absence of self-control in studying.