Improving the Academic Performance of Students with Learning Disabilities

                                             Sri Kalyani  Kasarabada

Learning Disability is a neurological disorder and results in poor academic performance of students. These students are as smarter as their peers in other extracurricular activities. There are different types of learning disabilities such as reading dyslexia, writing dysgraphia and arithmetic dyscalculia. Neurological disorders happen due to late deliveries or if the foetus couldn’t take enough oxygen during labour. The neurological disorders cause problems to kids such as being hyperactive and slow to speak that in turn leads to dyslexia and dysgraphia. The students with such disorders can be identified by the following symptoms:

• The student intends to spend time by himself rather than with peers in the classroom
• He/she would struggle pronouncing certain sounds
• The student’s concentration levels are low
• The student tends to be disruptive and loud
• He/she will struggle academically in the class room
• If the student is struggling with dyslexia, he/she cannot read, if the student is struggling with dyscalculia, he/she struggles to do math and if the student is struggling with dysgraphia, the student struggles to write.

Methods:

This paper presents a methodology which improves academic performance through one-to-one interaction with students thrice a week. During this interaction the students are guided on theories of spellings Phonics and make them spell, importance of word studying and basic writing skills.  Arithmetic is taught through number concepts and are made to perform simple additions/subtractions using play method.  Before commencement of class, they are made to perform physical exercises for improving their motor skills. After imparting this kind of training for six months, they are exhibiting better eye-hand coordination and are able to devise their own method of reading and writing.

Result:

The application of the above methods has improved student’s writing, reading and math abilities. The students typically start writing words in the case of dyslexia, the students start performing addition and subtraction in case of dyscalculia and then proceed to division and multiplication.  In case of dysgraphia, they begin hand eye coordination, they start to write. The results above help the students to improve academically and helps the students in their overall development in their speech, writing, concentration, eye-hand coordination and tend to become more stable.

This has improved their academic performance and psychological balance. Thus, this method can be effective teaching and learning for slow learners to improve their academic performance.

Ref:

Learning Disabilities Research studies Findings From NICHD Funded Projects

Brett Miller Sharon Vaughn, Lisa  S Freund

Journal of research on educational effectiveness 7(3)225-231,2014.

Research and knowledge powered by National center for  learning Disabilities.

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