About.com Learning Disabilities

How Schools Can Accommodate Parents of ESL and ELL Students

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:28:02 +0000

English language learners are some of the fastest growing groups in the U.S., and the trend is likely to continue. English language learners face a multitude of challenges at school and in work.

Parents of English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Language Learners (ELL) frequently face communication barriers with schools. Every day school activities and communication with administrators and teachers is a challenge for both the parents and the school staff. This is especially true when learning disabilities and special education are involved. Explore ways schools can effectively accommodate families with language differences in special education programs.

More Resources for English Language Learners

How Schools Can Accommodate Parents of ESL and ELL Students originally appeared on About.com Learning Disabilities on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 08:28:02.

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Help Your Preschooler Learn Sight Words

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:37:44 +0000

Preschoolers are like little sponges soaking up information and learning new things from their environment every day. They may not be able to tell you what they are learning, but they are receptively learning concepts. You can reinforce this learning and also introduce early sight word recognition with these tips.

More on Teaching Sight Words

Help Your Preschooler Learn Sight Words originally appeared on About.com Learning Disabilities on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 17:37:44.

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What Is the Least Restrictive Environment?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:51:08 +0000

Some people insist that the least restrictive environment is always the regular classroom. Full inclusion in the regular classroom is always the best placement for every child. But is that necessarily true? While it is true that many children with learning disabilities can learn in the regular classroom with support such as collaboration, some students founder and fail. Others, especially older students, object to getting extra attention in front of their non-disabled classmates. Some student's physical needs are so significant that placement in a regular classroom is embarrassing to them. The answer is that there is no single placement that is always appropriate for every child all the time.

During your child's initial placement meeting or during his annual review, the IEP team will discuss his progress, his learning needs, and his educational placement. Federal special education regulations require that students be educated in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Learn what LRE means, how it is determined, and what placement options can be considered for your child.

What Is the Least Restrictive Environment? originally appeared on About.com Learning Disabilities on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 09:51:08.

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Learn About Section 504

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:54:04 +0000

If your child has a learning disability, depending on the degree of severity, his school may consider serving him in a special education program or providing adaptations and accommodations under Section 504. Learn more about Section 504 and whether it may be appropriate for your child.

Learn About Section 504 originally appeared on About.com Learning Disabilities on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 20:54:04.

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Managing Learning Disabilities in the Workplace

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:48:26 +0000

With the school year's end in sight, your high school senior may be polishing her resume for part-time or full-time work after graduation. As she's thinking about her future, it is a good time to get her ready for managing her disability in the workplace. Help her learn more about more about her rights and responsibilities and how to effectively manage her disabilities on the job.

More on Working with Disabilities

Managing Learning Disabilities in the Workplace originally appeared on About.com Learning Disabilities on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 19:48:26.

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Great Thinking Games for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:36:58 +0000

Play truly is the work of children. They learn so much from playing games and interacting with other children and with adults. Games can teach language skills, develop visual and language-based reasoning, develop social interaction, improve memory skills, and much more. Here are some terrific thinking games for preschoolers and toddlers that have stood the test of time and that we still enjoy in our house. And best yet, they have no parts to lose, and you carry them in your mind! Take some time to play these thinking games with your child.

More on Educational Games

Great Thinking Games for Preschoolers and Toddlers originally appeared on About.com Learning Disabilities on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 19:36:58.

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Halloween Safety for Kids with LDs - Help Your Child Be Safe This Halloween

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:16:27 +0000

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays because it is low stress. I mean, on what other holiday can I claim that the dust on my furniture is part of the decor? And those cobwebs way up there? It took months to get that authentic look. I love the chill in the air, the beautiful leaves, and the pitter patter of little feet trotting across my yard for treats. Yes, All Hallows Eve will soon be upon us, and it is time to prepare your child for a memorable and safe holiday.

Children with learning disabilities (and others) can benefit from advance safety preparation. Learn ways to keep your child safe this Halloween with tips on costume and candy safety, making the trick or treat route safe, and managing your child's behavior. Learn what you can do to make Halloween safe and fun.

Halloween seems to be a love it or hate it kind of holiday. Either way, you'll find excellent resources on About.com to help you prepare for a great time with your family either way.

If You Love Halloween:

Check out About.com's Halloween showcase for decorating and party tips.
Creative costume ideas from Family Crafts
Halloween History, Traditions, and Folklore
Is it Anti-Pagan to Celebrate Halloween?
Healthy Vegan Halloween Ideas

If You Hate Halloween:

Halloween Safety for Kids with LDs - Help Your Child Be Safe This Halloween originally appeared on About.com Learning Disabilities on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 19:16:27.

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Teach Your Child To Manage Problem Behavior

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:00:21 +0000

Challenging behavior is difficult for teachers, parents, and the child. Behavior problems can result from hyperactivity, as in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, lack of social skills instruction, conduct and behavior disorders, and plain 'old growing up.

Whether your child has a behavioral disability or simply has behavior problems that most children experience, pre-task rehearsal can help you engage him as a partner in reducing them. Learn how to use pre-task rehearsal to teach your child social and behavior expectations.

More on Behavior Management

Teach Your Child To Manage Problem Behavior originally appeared on About.com Learning Disabilities on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 19:00:21.

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Flash Card Teaching Strategies

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:25:56 +0000

It's midterm exam time, do you know where your flash cards are? Flash card teaching strategies are popular with teachers because of their effectiveness. Parents also appreciate the flash card because it is an easy teaching strategy for home. There are several ways to use flashcards for teaching. This flashcard teaching strategy, the Constant Time Delay (CTD) technique, is widely used by special and regular education teachers. The CTD strategy can be used easily with flash cards at home to teach any subject for any grade level from preschool through college! Learn this flash card strategy in just a minute, and you can use it tonight with your own flash cards. You'll also find math and sight word flash cards to download and print.

Flash Card Teaching Strategies originally appeared on About.com Learning Disabilities on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 21:25:56.

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Halloween Health Tips

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:47:29 +0000

As you're working on that all-important costume and concocting the perfect party this Halloween, add these seasonal health tips to your list of things to do:

Halloween Health Tips originally appeared on About.com Learning Disabilities on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 19:47:29.

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