LD News http://www.ldonline.org/ en-us LD OnLine Administrator hourly 1 http://backend.userland.com/rss There's an App for That! But Is It Right for You? http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/There%27s_an_App_for_That%21_But_Is_It_Right_for_You%3F Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:39:17 GMT I can't recount the number of apps we initially downloaded with great anticipation, only to realize that we would probably never use them again. We learned that an estimated 26% of all downloaded apps are only used once. In the end, we came up with the following strategies for evaluating an app before deciding to buy it... http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/There%27s_an_App_for_That%21_But_Is_It_Right_for_You%3F Phonics Teaching Tips for the Common Core http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Phonics_Teaching_Tips_for_the_Common_Core Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:32:30 GMT Click the link to read four tips for meeting these new requirements.

]]> The Common Core is bringing phonics back. According to the Common Core’s Reading Standards for Grades K–5, students need to learn foundational skills, including print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, and fluency. Click the link to read four tips for meeting these new requirements. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Phonics_Teaching_Tips_for_the_Common_Core Are Some Brains Better at Learning Languages? http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Are_Some_Brains_Better_at_Learning_Languages%3F Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:00:43 GMT That raises the question: Is there something unique about certain brains, which allows some people to speak and understand so many more languages than the rest of us?

]]> There may be certain areas in the brain that are enlarged or extra efficient that could lend some language learners an advantage. Studies show that it becomes more difficult to learn new languages as you get older. Neuroscientists are still trying to understand all the various brain regions involved in learning language. That raises the question: Is there something unique about certain brains, which allows some people to speak and understand so many more languages than the rest of us? http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Are_Some_Brains_Better_at_Learning_Languages%3F New Software Decodes Emotions By Phone http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/New_Software_Decodes_Emotions_By_Phone Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:00:56 GMT The software could have potential implications for individuals who have difficulties perceiving social cues.

]]> A company called eXaudios has developed software that detects emotions during a phone call. The program is currently used by companies to assist customer service agents. The versatile software could even soon diagnose Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and even cancer. Analyzing a person's voice to gain clues about their health and emotional state is nothing new, said Pentland. Humans do it all the time. The computer is just doing a better job at voice analysis than most people because it largely ignores content and focuses on form. Whether a computer or human is analyzing a conversation, however, "it's not what you say," said Pentland. "It's how you say it." The software could have potential implications for individuals who have difficulties perceiving social cues. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/New_Software_Decodes_Emotions_By_Phone What Educators Should Know about the Dyslexic Brain http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/What_Educators_Should_Know_about_the_Dyslexic_Brain Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:00:27 GMT Click the link to learn the four things ALL educators should know about the dyslexic brain!

]]> What do you think of when you hear the word dyslexic? All too often the reflex reaction is a stream of negative associations -- "slow reader," "under performance," "extra time on exams," "difficulty spelling." While it is true that these are common symptoms in students with dyslexia, they are surmountable problems. For any educator, the key to unleashing academic success in dyslexic students lies in understanding how their brains work. Click the link to learn the four things ALL educators should know about the dyslexic brain! http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/What_Educators_Should_Know_about_the_Dyslexic_Brain Self-Advocacy & Mentors Crucial for College Students with Disabilities http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Self-Advocacy_%26_Mentors_Crucial_for_College_Students_with_Disabilities Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:00:02 GMT Find out more about the study in the full article!

]]> College remains a hurdle for many with disabilities. Now a new study offers insight on what separates individuals with special needs who are ultimately successful in higher education from those who are not. In interviews with recent graduates with disabilities, researchers found that students who earned degrees shared the ability to self-advocate and persevere. They also had good insight into their abilities and limitations and often cited a strong relationship with at least one faculty or staff member on campus. Find out more about the study in the full article! http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Self-Advocacy_%26_Mentors_Crucial_for_College_Students_with_Disabilities Ohio School Practices ‘Reverse Inclusion’ http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Ohio_School_Practices_%91Reverse_Inclusion%92 Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:00:47 GMT A unique approach at one Ohio school has typically-developing teens entering the world of special education for an eye-opening experience. Through a semester-long elective at Kenston High School in Bainbridge, Ohio, high school juniors and seniors work side-by-side in a special education classroom with their peers who have special needs. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Ohio_School_Practices_%91Reverse_Inclusion%92 Parent & Educator Tool: "Road Map" to the IEP http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Parent_%26_Educator_Tool%3A_%22Road_Map%22_to_the_IEP Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:11:02 GMT The National Center for Learning Disabilities has put together a practical and clearly organized infographic for the IEP process. Use the tool as a "road map" to your child or student's education. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Parent_%26_Educator_Tool%3A_%22Road_Map%22_to_the_IEP High-Tech Help: Assistive Tech http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/High-Tech_Help%3A_Assistive_Tech Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:00:14 GMT “These technologies help level a playing field for individuals who would not be able to demonstrate their capabilities as learners,” says Brant Parker, director of learning and innovation technology for the Calgary Board of Education in Canada. In his district, at least 90 public schools are using Dragon Dictate, a voice-recognition program that does the typing for you.

]]> From pens that can remember to text that can talk, [assistive] technologies are now being held up as important tools for students with learning disabilities like dyslexia, dysgraphia (trouble writing) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. “These technologies help level a playing field for individuals who would not be able to demonstrate their capabilities as learners,” says Brant Parker, director of learning and innovation technology for the Calgary Board of Education in Canada. In his district, at least 90 public schools are using Dragon Dictate, a voice-recognition program that does the typing for you. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/High-Tech_Help%3A_Assistive_Tech Third Grade Crucial for Literacy Skills http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Third_Grade_Crucial_for_Literacy_Skills Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:00:09 GMT What is the single most important year of an individual’s academic career? The answer is not junior year of high school, or senior year of college. It is third grade. What makes success in third grade so pivotal? It is the year that students move from learning to read—decoding words using their knowledge of the alphabet—to reading to learn. The books children are expected to master no longer are simple primers, but fact-filled informational texts. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Third_Grade_Crucial_for_Literacy_Skills Attention Problems, Except for Screens http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Attention_Problems%2C_Except_for_Screens Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:00:21 GMT A child’s ability to stay focused on a screen, though not anywhere else, is actually characteristic of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. There are complex behavioral and neurological connections linking screens and attention, and many experts believe that these children do spend more time playing video games and watching television than their peers.

]]> Why is it that children with attention deficit problems at school can be held in rapt attention by a video game or television program? A child’s ability to stay focused on a screen, though not anywhere else, is actually characteristic of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. There are complex behavioral and neurological connections linking screens and attention, and many experts believe that these children do spend more time playing video games and watching television than their peers. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Attention_Problems%2C_Except_for_Screens Can Audiobooks Help Kids with LD? http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Can_Audiobooks_Help_Kids_with_LD%3F Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT Students with print disabilities who have access to audiobooks significantly outperform their peers in math tests, according to a recent study conducted by the national nonprofit Learning Ally, the nation’s leading provider of accessible audiobook learning resources for students with disabilities such as dyslexia and visual impairment. The study reinforces the organization’s recent findings that audiobook resources bolster student performance in reading. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Can_Audiobooks_Help_Kids_with_LD%3F Assistive Technology Tools for Writing http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Assistive_Technology_Tools_for_Writing Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:00:18 GMT Writing by hand can be a daunting task for students with dysgraphia, dyslexia, or motor limitations. As a result, students with handwriting challenges typically produce written work that is far below their oral expressive skills. Fortunately, assistive technology can alleviate the handwriting burden, so that students are freed to focus on the content of their written work. As the holiday shopping season approaches, you may wish to consider investing in technology to support your child’s writing skills. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Assistive_Technology_Tools_for_Writing Number of Students Labeled with LD Drops http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Number_of_Students_Labeled_with_LD_Drops Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:00:55 GMT According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in fall 2007 approximately 2.573 million youth ages 3 to 21 were classified as having specific learning disabilities, out of 6.606 million children covered by the IDEA. A specific learning disability is defined as a psychological processing disorder that impairs learning but not a student's overall cognitive ability. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Number_of_Students_Labeled_with_LD_Drops Can Your Child's IEP Meeting Be Recorded? http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Can_Your_Child%27s_IEP_Meeting_Be_Recorded%3F Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:00:52 GMT An IEP meeting should focus on how to provide appropriate education to a child with a disability. There should be no conversation at an IEP meeting that cannot be repeated or taped.

Federal law does not prohibit a parent or school official from recording IEP meetings. State departments of education or school districts can require, prohibit, limit, or regulate the use of recording devices at IEP meetings.

]]> An IEP meeting should focus on how to provide appropriate education to a child with a disability. There should be no conversation at an IEP meeting that cannot be repeated or taped. Federal law does not prohibit a parent or school official from recording IEP meetings. State departments of education or school districts can require, prohibit, limit, or regulate the use of recording devices at IEP meetings. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Can_Your_Child%27s_IEP_Meeting_Be_Recorded%3F Effective Teaching Strategies for Dyscalculia http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Effective_Teaching_Strategies_for_Dyscalculia Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT Discover several effective strategies for teaching students with dyscalculia on this site!

]]> Dyscalculic children are very aware of being worse at math than their peers. Math class soon becomes very discouraging to them as they experience constant failure and are left behind. They often develop anxiety and avoidance behaviours. Discover several effective strategies for teaching students with dyscalculia on this site! http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Effective_Teaching_Strategies_for_Dyscalculia Defining Executive Dysfunction http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Defining_Executive_Dysfunction Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:00:55 GMT Executive dysfunctions, or difficulties employing executive functioning skills, are telltale features of most psychiatric diagnoses in children. In fact, many leading researchers are now primarily defining Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as an executive functioning disorder. Similarly, many youngsters who have learning disabilities display an array of executive dysfunctions that underlie many of their academic struggles. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Defining_Executive_Dysfunction Video Games May Aid Children With Dyslexia http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Video_Games_May_Aid_Children_With_Dyslexia Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:00:16 GMT Playing action video games may improve reading in children with dyslexia, Italian researchers have found. The small study, published online last week in Current Biology, involved two groups of 10 dyslexic children. One group played action video games for nine sessions of 80 minutes each, while the other followed the same routine with nonaction games. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Video_Games_May_Aid_Children_With_Dyslexia Maryland Special Ed Advocates Lobby to Dispute IEPs http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Maryland_Special_Ed_Advocates_Lobby_to_Dispute_IEPs Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:00:01 GMT Parents in Montgomery County are leading efforts to make it easier for Maryland families to dispute a child’s special education plan in legal hearings. The parents have been lobbying in favor of a bill that would require school systems to defend Individual Education Programs in due process legal disputes, regardless of who initiates the proceedings. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Maryland_Special_Ed_Advocates_Lobby_to_Dispute_IEPs Visual Thinking Strategies http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Visual_Thinking_Strategies Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:00:33 GMT Take a look at the Learning Network's (NYT) weekly feature done in collaboration with Visual Thinking Strategies. They publish a NYT image without a caption or any other clues about its origins, then invite students to write in to discuss what they see in it. Full information about the image is posted 24 hours later. http://www.ldonline.org/ldnews/Visual_Thinking_Strategies