Chapter Nine: Adolescents and Adults with Learning Disabilities and Related Mild Disabilities

Kimberly Atias, Nancy Schaefer, Theresa YurkaninSPED 563: Instruction & Remediation Techniques in Special Education

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Characteristics of AdolescentsFreedom and Independence vs. Security and DependenceRapid Physical ChangesDeveloping SexualityPeer PressureSelf-Consciousness

Adolescents with Learning Disabilities and Related Mild Disabilities

286

Cultural and Linguistic DiversityPassive LearningPoor Self-conceptSocial and Behavioral ProblemsAttention DifficultiesLack of Motivation

Characteristics of Adolescents with Learning Disabilities

287

Challenges for Adolescents with LD and Related Mild Disabilities85% of students with LD are placed in the general education classrooms for at least a portion of the day. Problems with this are:

- complex content-area curriculum- a large gap between the student’s skills- demands of the classroom- IDEA 2004 and No Child Left Behind (NCLB-2001) required standards-

based, high stakes testing

Special Issues at the Secondary Level

290

Transition: change in status from student to adult

IDEA 2004 requires that by the student's 16th year IEP:1. transition goals that address T.E.E.L. are in place2. students receive transition services3. student receives in writing a statement informing them of their rights at the age of majority

Transition Legislation forSecondary Students

287

1. Current levels of achievement2. Interests and aptitude3. Post-school goals4. Transition activities5. Responsible parties6. Review

Content of the Transition Plan

287

Developing Transition Plans

287

STUDENT INPUT

CompetitiveEmployment

CompetitiveEmployment

Vocational Training

Apprenticeship

Vocational Training

Apprenticeship

Post-secondary/College

Attendance

Post-secondary/College

AttendanceSupported

Employment

SupportedEmployment

Approaches to Teaching Adolescents With Learning Disabilities/Related Mild Disabilities

287

Functional Skills

Life Skills

Mathematics and

Reading

Work – Study Programs

Functional Skills/Life Skills Instruction

Tutorial Programs

Basic Academic Skills

What Happens to High School Students with Learning Disabilities?

308

57% Diploma

20% Drop Out

7% Certificate

6% Unknown

Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.

Learning Strategies Instruction

287

Steps for Teaching Learning Strategies

287

Pre-testDescribe the

Learning StrategyModel the

Learning Strategy

Post-test Practice theStrategy (I)

Practice theStrategy (C)

Verbally

Rehearse

Gen

eral

izat

ion

Postsecondary Programs

308

IDEA 2004 ADA Americans With DisabilitiesSection 504 of Rehabilitation Act

Legislation and Accommodations in College Programs

309

PACE - National-Louis University, IllinoisTHRESHOLD - Lesley University, Massachusetts

Nondegree Transitional Programs

311

Social and Survival SkillsOrganizational SkillsVocational and Career CounselingPersonal FinancesSelf-Esteem and Independence

Adults Living with Learning Disabilities

313

Vita Education ServicesEducational programs for Bucks County adults, adolescents and families

http://www.vitaeducation.org Doylestown 215-345-8322 Bensalem 215-245-1798, ext. 15, 18, 21

Bucks County CHADD Children and Adults With ADDhttp://www.chadd.org 215-736-1541

Literacy Volunteershttp://www.literacyvolunteers.org 1-800-448-8878

Literacy Organizations and Support Groups

314