Work in class

School work can certainly be more difficult for those students with learning differences. Suggestions as to how best to help those students can vary depending on what learning differences they have. I always recommend a book called Educational Care by Mel Levine. He has many good suggestions in there.

I don’t give timed tests. I allow untimed tests and I make the font on my tests very large so kids with reading issues can more easily read it. I have books on tape for them to hear if the assigned books are above their reading level. I encourage typing, not handwriting, so they can use Spellcheck. I go light on my homework as homework often takes much more time from LD students. I don’t stress memorization of terms as memorization comes hard to kids with reading issues. I don’t make students copy notes from the board or take notes while I speak as dysgraphic students or dysorthographic students simply can’t do that. I write a few key words on the boards. I plan interactive lessons to help hold the attention of all students particulary the ones with ADD.

I think most of all I try to do what you’re clearly trying to do. Show some compassion and caring. That’s probably the most important thing any teacher could do for students with learning differences.