The document discusses the characteristics and challenges of students with learning differences. It outlines that academically, these students plateau in skills and struggle with studying, assignments, and organization. Socially, they have difficulty interacting with peers and following rules. Motivationally, they do not see the value of effort or make and achieve goals. Executively, they struggle with problem-solving and applying knowledge. The document notes the gap between students' skills and the increasing academic, social, and executive demands through school years. It emphasizes matching students to supportive learning environments to help them succeed.

1. LD 101
Helen Waldron, M.Ed.
Dean of Academic Affairs
The Forman School

10. “I’m sorry Mrs.
Einstein, but
Albert is not
performing to
his potential”

11. Era of the brain

12.  The characteristics of students with learning
differences?
 The learning environment.

13. Characteristics of ld students
Academically
Reach an achievement plateau during the
secondary school years
Do not use effective or efficient study routines
Have difficulty completing assignments
Have difficulty distinguishing the important from
the unimportant
Do not organize information appropriately for
study

14. The Performance Gap
Demands/
Skills
Years in School

15. Characteristics of ld students
Socially
 Scored the same as juvenile delinquents on a test
of social skills
 Do not participate in discussions
 Often demonstrate rule-breaking behavior
 Are less active in school and out of school
activities
 Do not recognize opportunities for social skill
use

16. Show video

17. About motivation
 1. The goal is desirable
 2. The goal is attainable
 3. The goal is attainable without superhuman
effort

18. Characteristics of ld students
Motivationally
 Do not see the relationship between appropriate
effort and success
 Often do not see the benefits of staying in
school
 Have difficulty making a commitment to learn
or perform
 Have few goals or plans for the future
 Have trouble setting and attaining goals

19.  Lion  Pink
 Green  Moose
 Tibet  Ford
 Toyota  France
 Goat  Horse
 Elephant  Chevrolet
 Orange  Blue
 Australia  Canada

20. Characteristics of ld students
Executively
 Often do not invent appropriate strategies to
complete tasks
 Have difficulty learning how to solve problems
 Often do not generalize
 Often fail to take advantage of prior knowledge
when facing new problems

21. Prominent characteristics of LD
students
 Academically, ld students plateau in basic skill areas and
have difficulty studying, completing assignments, and
organizing information.
 Socially, low achievers have difficulty interacting with
peers and adults and are likely to engage in rule
breaking behaviors.
 Motivationally, low achievers do not see the benefits of
their efforts and have difficulty setting and attaining
goals
 Executively, low achievers often do not generalize new
learning and have difficulty with the problem solving
process.

22. The Performance Gap
Skills/
Demands
Years in School

23. Demands and Expectations
Key Academic Demands
 Gain information from materials written at the
secondary level
 Gain information from lectures
 Demonstrate knowledge through tests
 Express information in writing

24. Demands and Expectations
Key Social Demands
 Follows rules and instructions in and out of school
 Participate in social activities
 Participate in discussions and conversations with peers
and adults
 Accept criticism and help
 Recruit assistance when needed
 Resist inappropriate peer pressure
 Be pleasant across social interactions

25. Demands and Expectations
Key motivation demands
 Plan for timely task completion
 Demonstrate a proactive approach to life
 Set short, intermediate and long term goals
 Put forth maximum and appropriate effort to
achieve goals
 Complete educational programs

26. Demands and expectations
Key executive demands
 Work independently with little feedback
 Apply knowledge across content areas
 Solve problems
 Organize information and resources

27. Demands and Expectations
 Academically, students must gain information from
books and lectures and demonstrate this information in
writing and on tests
 Socially, students must follow rules and interact
appropriately with peers and adults
 Motivationally, students must set, plan for, and carry
out short and long term goals
 Executively, students must independently solve
problems and generalize learning across situations.

28. How do I know which students will
succeed in my school?
 Study environment

29. The Performance Gap
∆ teachers
Skills /
Demands
∆ students
Years in School

30. Dyslexics who read well consistently
bypass the left temporal region.