This is my EDU 594 Major Project #1 Presentation. For more information, check out my webpage www.thechallengedlearner.weebly.com on Learning Delays and my action plan for educators in working with these students.

1. The Challenged
Learner
Bryan Akers
EDU 594
Spring Arbor University

2. What is the Challenged Learner?
● Learning Delayed
● Affects 5 to 8% of all children
● Reading, math, writing, speech, language, memory, basic
skills, social skills
● LD learners may “catch up” later as they mature

3. Likely Causes
● Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
● Prenatal Drug Exposure
● Malnutrition
● Abuse/Neglect
● Environmental Toxins
● Head Injuries
● Touch Deprivation
● Poorly Treated Ear
Infections
● Hearing Deficiencies or
Impairment
● Maternal Personality
Disorder
● Infant Attention Problems

4. Symptoms
● Inconsistent performance
● Slowed problem solving
● Weak at Cause and Effect
● Impaired perception
● Diminished perceptual skills
● Difficulty with reading
comprehension by age 10
● Poor social skills
● May resist participation in group
activities
● Physical awkwardness and
coordination
● Overdependency on parents
● Difficulty adjusting to new situations
● Low self-esteem
● Possibly impaired fine motor skills

5. What We Can Do as a Team
1. Incorporate Brain
Training for the student
2. Maintain positive
student-teacher-parent
communication lines
3. Positive Patience &
Persistence Pays off!

6. Action Plan #1: CHAMPS Brain Training
Academic Seminar: 3 days per week
1. Champs Mind Set: Positive affirmations, short
assignments, and opportunities for quick
success!
2. Hope: Focus on positive, achievable goals, and
achieving them
3. Attention: Work in increasing their attention
spans and focus
4. Memory: Call and response, matching, memory
aids
5. Processing: Walk through class, incorporate
musical instruments
6. Sequencing: Practice and give students
opportunities to plan out trips, projects, etc.

7. Action Plan #2: Open Lines of Communication
Monthly Meeting & Parent Update
1. Track progress through
brain training
2. Incorporation of Arts
Programs/Music
3. Progress of Peer, Teacher,
Parent Relationships and
Communication

8. Action Plan #3: Positive, Patient, & Persistent!
Daily!
1. Set daily and weekly goals
2. Routine development
3. Daily stress management