How Digital Tools Help Teach Students With Learning Disabilities

Students with learning disabilities face unique challenges. This is different from what regular students face.

Here’s a quick definition of a learning disability:

• It is a disorder that inhibits the ability to process data
• It also affects comprehension
• Lastly, children find it hard to retain information

These can affect several mental processes. These vary in severity. Symptoms differ from one individual to the next.

Thanks to modern technology, we now have assistive technology (or AT). This helps affected students learn or process information better.

Assistive Technology does three things. It:

• Increases
• Maintains
• Improves

The capabilities of students with learning disabilities. AT also refers to physical devices and services. All of these increase the quality of life for these students.

Types Of Learning Disabilities

Let’s discuss the different types learning disabilities. As we all know, school is difficult as it already is. Adding a learning disability makes it even more challenging. Especially for certain types of children.

Identifying these students with learning disabilities can help address the problem at  the onset.

Who can benefit from this?

• Students with learning disabilities
• Schools
• Teachers
• Parents
• Family Members
• Friends

You can streamline the curriculum based on this knowledge. This helps the student maximize their learning without adding more stress.

Dyslexia

We’ve all heard of dyslexia. It is known as a plague among students today.

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that inhibits the student’s ability to read. It also makes comprehending letters or words hard. This manifests in a variety of ways:

Lack Of Phonemic Awareness

This is a failure to recognize the way words break down according to sound.

These are the effects of a lack of phonemic awareness:

• Difficulty in read
• Delayed speech
• Difficulty in writing letters, numbers and words.

This dissociative quality hinders the ability to read, write, or speak properly.

Phonological Processing

This app analyzes and translates the way words break down according to sound. Similar problems can occur with phonological processing. Students are observed as unable to distinguish between similar word sounds.

Lack Of Fluency

Dyslexic students usually end up lacking in the fluency department.

Lack of fluency is the failure to connect three things:

• Speech
• Written words
• Comprehension

The result is a diminished vocabulary. They just can’t properly process the data in their brains.

Jumbled Spelling Of Familiar Words

This is the result of a lack of phonemic awareness and phonological processing.

Effect:

• Student does not recognize the proper sequence of the letters
• Cannot identify similar word sounds
• Letters are jumbled when written down on paper.

Comprehension Issues

Dyslexia is notorious for inhibiting a student’s reading comprehension. They may have the ability to read and write. Retaining the information is where the struggle comes in.

The worst thing about dyslexia is it can combine with other learning disabilities.

Effects:

• Frustration
• Feelings of isolation

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

This learning disability affects over 6.4 million children all over the world. This number does not include adult learners. There are countless adults suffering this affliction in their daily lives.

This can be a result of:

• Genetics
• Trauma
• Environmental factors.

Students who have ADHD experience:

• Great difficulty in paying attention
• They also have trouble focusing on their tasks

ADHD can be properly addressed and corrected. If identified early on, it can treated immediately. This is done through:

• Prescribed medication
• Behavioral therapy

Dyscalculia

Math is typically known as a difficult subject. It takes on an entirely new definition for students with learning disabilities. Especially those who suffer from Dyscalculia.

Dyscalculia severely affects a student’s math capabilities. This can manifest in a variety of ways. It is the mathematical equivalent of Dyslexia.

Effects:

• Can’t place numbers in the proper sequence
• Cannot perform basic or complex mathematical equations
• Failure to comprehend the concept of time
• Inability to do basic measurements
• Trouble with estimation

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is the inability to express ideas in written form.

Students who suffer from this:

• Cannot hold a pencil properly
• Have an incorrect posture
• Have trouble organizing their thoughts

This leads to:

• anger
• stress
• tension
• fatigue
• frustration
• anxiety

This may result in redundancy or omissions. This affects the quality and/or readability of their text.

Needless to say, grammar and basic sentence structure may also be affected.

Processing Deficits

Effect:

• Students with learning disabilities
• Inability to make sense of sensory data.

This makes it extremely hard for students. Especially if they have to perform properly in classrooms. Without additional instructions or support, failure is likely to happen.

Processing deficits are far from being physical factors limiting their learning. These students still have the ability to see or hear properly. They just can’t process the information gathered in their brain correctly.

As a result, instructions are:

• forgotten
• ignored
• or simply misunderstood.

These can manifest in varying degrees of severity. Students with learning disabilities often have a combination of two or more conditions.

Treating students with learning disabilities start with proper identification of the issue. Only then can teachers formulate the right curriculum.

Once properly identified, a viable solution, is possible. These workable solutions can help the student succeed.

Physical Factors Limiting Learning Opportunities

There are also students with physical limitations. These can affect their level of participation in the classroom. Another drawback is the social issues that come along with it.

Children with physical disabilities often feel ostracized. It happens even when there are no external factors. This is often because of how they feel about their situation.

Visually Impairment

Visually impaired students struggle to read books like normal students. Seeing what’s on the board is also a challenge. Students with a less severe case can use corrective lenses. This will help them compensate for sight issues.

Teachers can also help. They can:

• Create bigger presentations
• Use larger fonts or text
• Use simpler layouts
• Plan the seating arrangement
• Install better lights
• Explore lessons that use other senses

This can lead to a vast improvement in participation and learning.

For more severe cases, use these assistive tools:

• Braille
• Text-to-speech programs
• Audiobooks
• And other apps develped for the visually impaired.

These help to improve their quality of life. This can help them get a better level of education.

Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing

Hearing loss can be the result of:

• Congenital defect
• Trauma
• Gradual decrease in hearing
• Other environmental factors.

Students can also use hearing aids or cochlear implants. These can vastly improve their lives. These devices allow these children to hear like their peers. 

Special care must be taken, though. These devices are extremely sensitive. Even the lighting in the room can  affect these devices.

Assistive devices for these students with learning disabilities include:

• speech-to-text apps
• captioning programs
• visual aids
• and others.

Seat them where they can see everything. That’s a good start. Encourage them to participate in a safe environment. This is key to helping them learn.

Physical Disabilities

There are also students with physical limitations. Not being able to use 100% of their body can lead to a decrease in educational potential. 

A lost limb can hinder their progress in sports. A physical disfigurement can lead to social awkwardness. The first thing that’s needed is a strong support system. These helps these children accept their limitations. As a result, they can find ways to overcome it.

Prosthetics are also assistive tools. These can help improve the lives of children with physical disabilities.

A strong support system will help raise self -esteem. This can come from within the family. Their peers can also help. It will help them see beyond their current situation. It will also help them strive to succeed in the classroom.

Still, teachers should understand that special care must be taken. Bodily harm or any other negative effects should be avoided.

Assistive Tools For Different Types Of Learning Disabilities

Assistive Tools help students in areas where they are lacking. Say, for example, a visually impaired student. They can benefit from using Braille or text-to-speech apps.

Students with dyscalculia can benefit from a calculator app.

There are many tools that you can use. Visit our resources page for more info.

Examples Of Assistive Tools

Here are a few examples of assistive technology. These are designed to help students with learning disabilities. These list covers a wide range of learning disabilities from:

• Dyslexia
• Dyscalculia
• Dysgraphia

Electronic Worksheets

What do electronic worksheets do?

• Organize words
• Place numbers in the correct sequence
• Corrects other details

This helps dyslexic students with their assignments.

Additional features:

• Text-to-speech function
• Speech synthesizing technology

Phonetic Spelling Software

Who can benefit from this:

• Students with learning disabilities
• Students who have trouble reading
• Children who have trouble writing

Phonetic spelling software can be a great help. This automatically converts text. It also auto-correct words to help these students out. Audiobooks are also examples of phonetic spelling software.

Talking Calculators

Who can benefit from this:

• Students with learning disabilities
• Students with dyscalculia
• Visually impaired students

You can download talking calculators in the app store. These are designed to sound off the number or symbol associated with the button you pressed.

For visually impaired students, providing a calculator with a tactile keyboard is the best way to go. Even better if it has raised symbols on the buttons. For the more severe cases, a braille talking calculator is perfect.

For other students with learning disabilities, a tactile feedback is enough. There’s a vibrating mode. This is helpful for touch typists. The vibration tells them they just pressed something.

Variable Speed Recorders

Who can benefit from this:

• Students with learning disabilities
• Children struggling with comprehension
• Children who have memory retention issues

These recorders capture entire lessons. You can then play it back to suit the student’s learning pace.

Your basic iOS device already has a voice recorder in it. The only difference with these apps and what you have is the level of control.

Videotaped Social Skills

Children learn by emulating others. Videotape best practices and correct social interactions. You can then play it back later. This will help children improve their social skills. Check out zShot for recording videos.

There are more assistive tools out there. We have another guide dedicated for that in our guides section. Check that out for more information. It provides an in-depth look into the various learning tools for students with special needs.

Conclusion

The advent of new technology has made education more accessible.

It is now easier for students with learning disabilities. With assistive tools, they can keep up with their peers.

Good things can only come out of using these assistive tools.

How do you know if your child has learning disabilities? How do you deal with it?

• Seek the help of a professional
• Follow their advice to the letter
• Secure your child’s education in a special school
• Use assistive tools appropriately
• Supervise their education
• Help them figure things out
• Make learning a fun experience
• Motivate them to do their best

Assistive tools can only do so much. It is your love and care that will help your child cross that bridge.

Related Questions

My Child Has ADHD. Can This Be Corrected At Home?

Yes. Students with ADHD can appear rambunctious, listless or lack in focus.

This can be corrected with the help of behavioral therapy. Using discipline can help in a way. Just make sure you monitor the time.

There are also experts who can help. These professionals have the experience. They know how to deal with your child’s learning disabilities.

Here’s what you should do:

• Learn from them.
• Discuss workable solutions.
• Explore different avenues for education.
• Find out what their best practices are.
• Cooperate and watch the results.

My Child Has All The Symptoms. Is There Any Hope For His Education?

Yes. There is always hope for everyone. Even students with learning disabilities. You’re already on the right track. It starts with identifying the condition.

What comes next is how to properly address each condition. The result is the creation of a workable solution. This may take time. With enough patience, your child can still succeed in school. This will be very helpful later on in life.

How Much Will This Cost Me?

There is no proper number we can attach to this. The thing is, it will be costly. 

You can leverage the costs of educating your child by seeking the following:

• Sponsorship
• Scholarships
• Student loans
• Financial institutions
• Foundations
• Charitable organizations
• Local government aid
• Altruistic individuals 

The bottom line is this:

There is no price too high when it comes to your child’s education.

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