Learning Disorders - Coursework Example

Author Note

Learning Disorders

Introduction

Learning disorders are the factors that inhibit effective language acquisition through reading and writing for the individuals that exhibit normal levels of intelligent quotient, as according to Pavlou & Gkampeta (2010). Around the world, an estimate of around 5 to 15 percent of the young pupils often face numerous learning disorders (Kranzler, p.1, 2016). It is as a result of the above massive number that has led to different activists articulating change by proposing different mitigation measures that ought to be employed to curb the learning disorders. This pivotal focus of this paper is to succinctly look into the literacy difficulties by inaugurating the case studies provided and also focusing on the most effective means, techniques and tools that could be beneficial in getting rid of such literacies. The paper will aim to achieve the above by looking into the following two key sections.

Section 1- Domains of a language and the disparity between phonological awareness and phonics

Linguistic domains are the components that assure effective language acquisition through the aspects of reading, writing, listening and even speaking. It is imperative to identify that language domain is the key aspect that determines the extent of language learning and thus determining the existence or non-existence of the learning disorders. According to Powers (2013), there are five key domains of a language. These are phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax and pragmatics. Phonology encompasses the ideal comprehension on the ways through which sound in a word or sentence ought to combine so as to depict meaning. For example, in words, sue and sew; the sound /u/ combine different so that the meaning could be clearly brought out. In sue, the sound combines with no other while in sew, the sound combines with the sound /i/ and hence the meaning of the words are brought out differently. Morphology simply entails the proper combination of words so assure the attainment of meaning from the sentence. In a sentence like ‘the ideal means of mitigation,’ the words have to occur in their order to ensure meaning and any sought of interchanging the words would depict some sought of grammatical errors. Semantics simply relate to the knowledge of the logic behind the words incorporated to make up the sentences. A word like ‘he cut his hand off could mean differently depending on the users. One could employ it to mean one person cut the hand of the other while another could also use it to mean a personal cut his own hand off. Syntax are the rules that govern different languages. An ideal case is in the disparity that is evident between the English employed in the British context and that employed in the American context. The American English demands the use of (z) for words like organization while the British demand the use of (s). Additionally, pragmatics entail the sensible use of the languages so that they could illustrate practical contexts rather than theory.

Phonological awareness entails the ability to comprehend and interpret syllables, sounds and ultimately words (Koutsoftas, p.217, 2013) so as to effectively bring out the differences in the meaning of words and sentences. Phonics are simply the techniques employed by tutors or teachers to equip learners on the alphabets. One familiar technique is like using objects say (a) for apple.

Section 2- Case Studies

Case Study One

One communication literacy that John exhibits entails his deficit in terms of having the proper and relevant social skills. It is as a result of the above issue that John is incapable of having a stable relationship. The primary reason for the above is because John had been diagnosed with one of the key disorders that inhibit effective communication, Autism Spectrum Disorder. Some of the key communication skills that John might lack, according to Laugeson et al. (2011) active listening, respect and even empathy. Also, John has the literacy difficulty of comprehension. The above could be attributed to the fact that he lags behind in terms of understanding the class teachings. The above issue is also undoubtedly due to the Autism Spectrum Disorder that he had been diagnosed with since the disorder also results in a lack of effective comprehension skills.

One strategy that could be employed to aid John in improvement in terms of social skills entails the idea proposed by Dick (p.6, 2010) that is about mainstreaming. This idea entails involving him together with other learners during the learning process and not secluding him from the lessons whilst others are taught. Through the above idea, John would learn how to communicate perfectly with the other pupils and thus assuring the improvement in terms of attaining the relevant and the necessary social skills. On the comprehension skills, John could be tutored outside the learning hours so that he could attain better understanding skills, thus, indicating the special need that he requires. An ideal way in which the tutoring could be may entail constant covering of the details of the teaching that could then be fruitful in assisting John to master the contents learnt and thus curbing the disorder of the effective inability to comprehend what had been covered.

Case study two

The literacy disorder exhibited by Ben is that of the inability to read or spell effectively. The chief reason for the above literacy difficulty is certainly attributed to the learning disorder that Ben had been diagnosed with, dyslexia, since research by Peterson & Pennington (2012) proves that dyslexia contributes on massive lengths to issues of the inability to effectively read and spell words. The key communication disorder that Ben has is called attention deficit disorder as he is unable to pay attention, especially during the class hours. The above disorder from Ben could be attributed to his inability to effectively read and spell words as thus, he may not feel the urge to concentrate.

An ideal mitigation measure that could be involved to deal with the learning disorder effectively is like that which is proposed by Schulte-Korne (2010) that involves using drugs like Concerta, Dexedrine and even Evekeo. Support is another measure that is proposed by the article above, especially for the cases of reading and spelling. For the case of Ben, he ought to be supported by taking him through the reading of words to ensure he becomes well acquainted with the idea of reading. Similar aspects should also apply for the case of conducting spellings. It is imperative to note that the support provided to Ben should be on a regular basis, say on a bi-weekly basis. Through the above measures, Ben's communicational and literacy disorders should be effectively mitigated, and thus evidence of the special needs that Ben requires prioritizing the fact that success is to be assured in terms of getting rid of both his illiteracy skill and communication deficits.

Case study three

The key literacy skill that Sarah lacks is the ability to write coherently. The above is undoubtedly evident as she is incapable of clearly and logically put down her ideas into writing, even though she has a substantial level of phonemic awareness. Another primary reason that is also evident to be key in causing the illiteracy in terms of proper writing in Sarah is also because she had earlier been diagnosed with dysgraphia since as proven by Adi-Japha (2007), dysgraphia is a key component that causes difficulties in write in a proper and relevant manner. Additionally, the communication skill that Sarah lacks is the ability to concentrate; therefore, her communication illiteracy is aligned to that of Ben’s. As a result, Sarah could be depicted to be exhibiting the disorders of attention deficits. One key factor that has higher probability rates in terms of contributing the Sarah’s lack of communication skill above is the fact that she has poor and incoherent handwritings and therefore, may be experiencing issues of non-interest in the classes and thus evidence of the inability to concentrate effectively.

Drug for treatment of the attention deficit in Sarah could be employed with the view of curbing the disorder within Sarah, just as earlier been proven to be fruitful in getting rid of or mitigating issues of attention deficits. Support is also depicted to be effective in mitigating the literacy deficit that Sara has, as according to (Brunsdon, Coltheart & Nickels, 2005) hence illustrating the need for Sarah to be subjected to special needs education. The support should be provided by taking Sarah through the writing processes by a tutor more often say three times in a week. Through the above process, Sarah should be well acquainted with the effective way to of writing and thus getting rid of the literacy deficit within Sarah.

Conclusion

In conclusion, literacy and communication difficulties are key issues that hinder the effective language acquisition as depicted above. It is thus instrumental that such students, as the ones depicted above, be taken through special educational programs such as tutoring the students outside the learning hours and even supporting them through the leaning processes as advocated above to ensure that such learning disorders be effectively mitigated.

Phonological awareness entails the ability to comprehend and interpret syllables, sounds and ultimately words (Koutsoftas, p.217, 2013) so as to effectively bring out the differences in the meaning of words and sentences. Phonics are simply the techniques employed by tutors or teachers to equip learners on the alphabets. One familiar technique is like using objects say (a) for apple.

Section 2- Case Studies

Case Study One

One communication literacy that John exhibits entails his deficit in terms of having the proper and relevant social skills. It is as a result of the above issue that John is incapable of having a stable relationship. The primary reason for the above is because John had been diagnosed with one of the key disorders that inhibit effective communication, Autism Spectrum Disorder. Some of the key communication skills that John might lack, according to Laugeson et al. (2011) active listening, respect and even empathy. Also, John has the literacy difficulty of comprehension. The above could be attributed to the fact that he lags behind in terms of understanding the class teachings. The above issue is also undoubtedly due to the Autism Spectrum Disorder that he had been diagnosed with since the disorder also results in a lack of effective comprehension skills.

One strategy that could be employed to aid John in improvement in terms of social skills entails the idea proposed by Dick (p.6, 2010) that is about mainstreaming. This idea entails involving him together with other learners during the learning process and not secluding him from the lessons whilst others are taught. Through the above idea, John would learn how to communicate perfectly with the other pupils and thus assuring the improvement in terms of attaining the relevant and the necessary social skills. On the comprehension skills, John could be tutored outside the learning hours so that he could attain better understanding skills, thus, indicating the special need that he requires. An ideal way in which the tutoring could be may entail constant covering of the details of the teaching that could then be fruitful in assisting John to master the contents learnt and thus curbing the disorder of the effective inability to comprehend what had been covered.

Case study two

The literacy disorder exhibited by Ben is that of the inability to read or spell effectively. The chief reason for the above literacy difficulty is certainly attributed to the learning disorder that Ben had been diagnosed with, dyslexia, since research by Peterson & Pennington (2012) proves that dyslexia contributes on massive lengths to issues of the inability to effectively read and spell words. The key communication disorder that Ben has is called attention deficit disorder as he is unable to pay attention, especially during the class hours. The above disorder from Ben could be attributed to his inability to effectively read and spell words as thus, he may not feel the urge to concentrate.

An ideal mitigation measure that could be involved to deal with the learning disorder effectively is like that which is proposed by Schulte-Korne (2010) that involves using drugs like Concerta, Dexedrine and even Evekeo. Support is another measure that is proposed by the article above, especially for the cases of reading and spelling. For the case of Ben, he ought to be supported by taking him through the reading of words to ensure he becomes well acquainted with the idea of reading. Similar aspects should also apply for the case of conducting spellings. It is imperative to note that the support provided to Ben should be on a regular basis, say on a bi-weekly basis. Read More