Ask Dr. Silver
The following are past questions and answers from Dr. Larry Silver on this topic.
What is the best way to coach dyslexic people on a sports team?
I wanted to ask a question about team sports and dyslexia. Is there any research or resources about the best methods to coach players with dyslexia and to help them learn individual and team skills the most effective way?
Thank you
Your question and the sensitivity you have are applauded. Yes, students with learning disabilities (current school term for dyslexia) may need special accommodations when playing sports. It will be important for the special education team working with the individual to help you understand his/her strengths and weaknesses. Try to utilize the strengths and find a way to compensate for the weaknesses. Another source of guidance would be someone trained in adaptive PE. The fastest is to speak with the professionals working with this child in school.
(July 2007)
Do you have any helpful hints or tips for adults with LD that struggle with test anxiety?
I have a question concerning the NYS Teacher's Certification Exam. I am an adult with a learning disability and I am struggling to pass these exams. Do you have any helpful hints or ideas that I might be able to try?
I am not a test-taker and often "flip out." Part of me doesn't know if it's my learning disability or test anxiety.
Thanks
Megan
Under the American's with Disabilities Act, if someone has a documented disability, any testing program must provide the appropriate accommodations.
If you have Learning Disabilities, you will need current test data to document this. You will also need to have a professional define how your specific disabilities will interfere with the specific material and style of questions in the exam. Only with this data can you request the accommodation of extended time.
If you have an anxiety disorder that flairs up in test situations, you need to discuss this with a physician who can prescribe medication to use prior to taking the test.
So, go to the website for the exam, click under accommodations, click under your disability, and download the requirements to request accommodations. Then, try to address this list.
If everything fails, you will need to do practice exams until you are dizzy. You must learn to be efficient with the types of questions and types of problems you will be asked to know.
(November 2006)
What accommodations can be made for Executive Frontal Dysfunction?
My son has recently been diagnosed with Executive Frontal Dysfunction. In the past everyone has said ADHD, but I knew that was not accurate.
Recently met with the IEP team and the school is not familiar with Executive Frontal. Can you please tell me how I can assure that my sons needs are being met on the IEP and that it is reflected in the classroom and not just on a piece of paper.
Organization and Executive Function difficulties can be caused by a Learning Disability, by ADHD, or by both. It is important to clarify which is the problem.
Should the behaviors be secondary to ADHD, medication will help. If due to LD, special education interventions will help. If due to both, medication and special education will be needed. So, work with an educational professional to clarify which is the problem. Based on the results, see your family doctor and/or request that the school professionals assess for services.
(August 2006)
How can I learn my basic academic skills when the high school will not help me?
I am an early high school student. I just completed eighth grade but I find that a lot of my skills seem well below my classmates skills.
I have had a learning disability since before I can remember. I have dysgraphia, fine motor difficulties, and speech difficulties. However I take a combination of regular, college prep, and honors classes. I am in no "special ed. classes" with the exception of supplemental. I know for a fact however that my skills in grammar, written expression, and spelling are well below the eighth grade level.
However, I am receiving no help in those areas outside of my college prep English class. My teacher seemed to think of me as "stupid." I have asked for extra help but she seems too busy to provide any after or before school help. So instead she sent me home with English text books to borrow over summer which doesn't help much since it takes me hours to get through one page due to my handwriting difficulties. I learned very little in her class and I know the skills I lack in are not taught in high school but in elementary and middle school.
I fear that without these skills I won't be able to be successful in school and work.
A tutor is financially out of question and my case worker, who also happens to be my supplemental teacher, doesn't seem to think that I lack these skills or just doesn't realize it. I find she doesn't pick up on a lot of my difficulties.
How can I learn these skills that I need (e.g. basic grammar, spelling, and vocabulary) if I will not receive it through my classes? Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks
Cassie
I am so delighted that you understand your learning disabilities and learning abilities so well. As you know, this means that you have areas of great strength and areas of weakness.
If you have learned good compensatory strategies to minimize your weaknesses, you can handle most classes. However, in some classes, you struggle. Ideally, the special education coordinator for your school would work with the teacher for this class and help to develop any necessary adaptations or accommodations. You seem to be in a difficult situation where no resources are available. And, it seems that you did not get the necessary help in elementary school to compensate for your disabilities.
Don't give up. First, let's get your parents on board. Ask them to read this response. Then, ask them to go to the library and get a copy of a book, The Misunderstood Child. This book will help them understand what help you will need.
Maybe there will be a way to provide private help. Or, maybe, your parents can go to the school and insist on more help than you are now getting. If this does not work, e-mail me again.
(June 2006)
For more information on this topic, please visit the Accommodations & Modifications section in LD InDepth.
