Educational Insights into Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder characterized by difficulties in reading, writing, and spelling due to compromised phonological processing skills. Treatment of dyslexia solely with medical support is far-fetched. However, it can be surmounted by the combination of special education interventions and supportive psychosocial care. Suitable approaches coupled with beneficial learning strategies enable dyslexic learners with consummate linguistic achievement. Although dyslexia research offers an increased understanding from a biological standpoint, the knowledge gap on the educational front is unfortunately persistent. To this end, this paper revisits the teaching-learning aspects of dyslexia. Teaching principles and approaches, strategies to support learning, and personalized educational plans are discussed in detail. Acknowledging the difficulty, familiarizing with the approaches, and attaining successful outcomes via essential practices emphasize the inclusiveness of dyslexic learners in the curriculum. We contend that the educational insights into dyslexia will provide informed teaching and learning solutions.

Comparison of Theta Beta Ratio in children with Attention deficit/hyperactive disorder and specific Learning Disorder during active EEG

Introduction: Theta-Beta Ratio (TBR) has been claimed as a biomarker to diagnose Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, the effectiveness of this index to differentiate between different groups of disorders is still under discussion. The primary purpose was to determine to what extent active TRB can differentiate between children with ADHD and specific Learning Disorder (sLD) as the most common comorbid disorder. Methods: Two groups of school-aged children with sLD (N=15) and ADHD (N=15) were diagnosed through a process of clinical interview and observation. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded in both groups during active condition. The implemented cognitive task was the visual continuous performance task (VCPT). TBR in sites of CZ and Fz, and cognitive measures of VCPT were calculated in the aforementioned groups. Results: There was no significant differences in cognitive measures (containing Commission, Omission, Reaction Time, and Variability of Reaction Times) shown in two matched groups of children with sLD and ADHD. According to TBR, two groups demonstrated no significant results in comparison. Conclusion: TBR cannot be considered as a reliable biomarker to differentiate between those groups of psychological disorders that contain primary cognitive deficits and require the allocation of attention and working memory loads.

Developmental milestones as early warning indicators of twice-exceptionality

<p>Twice-exceptional individuals are those that have high cognitive ability in one or more areas, but also have a diagnosed disability. The needs of these individuals likely differ from those with high cognitive ability without a disability and those who solely have a disability. Intervening early can offer exceptional benefits for twice-exceptional individuals, but this has proved challenging due to the high cognitive abilities masking disabilities. This study explores if parent-reported developmental milestones can predict the number of disabilities diagnosed for an individual, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Specific Learning Disorder (SLD). Using a clinical sample of about 1,300 individuals, we used a Bayesian cumulative logistic model to explore if developmental milestones are able to predict the number of diagnoses after controlling for IQ and age. Study results show that when an individual began to count and read informed predictions for the number of future diagnoses in the clinical sample. Implications for future study and practitioners are discussed in further detail.</p>

Mothers’ experience of being involved with the transfer of the CO-OP approach: A qualitative study

Introduction Since mothers are the best persons to facilitate transfer in their children, it is important to understand their experience with implementing the cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance approach at home. Therefore, this study aims to explore mothers’ experiences in facilitating transfer during implementing cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance approach at the home in children with specific learning disorder. Method A semi-structured interview was applied for mothers of children receiving cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and the data were analyzed using a continuous comparison technique and inductive content analysis. Results Five themes emerged which described the mothers’ experiences of being involved with the transfer of cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance approach at home including (1) mothers’ feelings toward themselves; (2) supportive therapist; (3) supportive social settings; (4) multidimensional educational content; and (5) educational methods. Conclusion Mothers expressed that cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance approach was simple, but they needed deeper information and skills. They provided suggestions for increasing the involvement during cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance intervention to increase transfer.

Dyscalculia in Learning Mathematics: Underpinning Concerns for Delivering Contents

Dyscalculia is a term that affects the ability to acquire arithmetical skills. It is one of the important areas of a specific learning disorder in mathematics covering the areas particularly, number sense, memorization of arithmetic facts, accurate and fluent calculation, and accurate math reasoning. It is estimated that about 3-6 percent of the population is facing problems associated with dyscalculia. This paper explores the theoretical consideration of dyscalculia in learning mathematics and outlines the ways of employing effective pedagogy to address dyscalculic students. The study is based on theoretical and descriptive methods. It focuses on the theoretical concern about learning mathematics, dyscalculia, its meaning and concept, types, causes, common difficult areas and impacts on mathematics learning. It also draws out the way of effectively delivering content and provides support for the dyscalculic learner. This article concludes that dyscalculic learners are facing various difficulties due to their weak number sense, low basic mathematics fluency, reasoning and accurate arithmetic calculation. Thus it is essential to provide specialized instruction as well as extra support to uplifts and retain the skills and performance of the dyscalculic learner in mathematics. Otherwise, the arithmetic inability can lead the learner to more difficult circumstances that may be beyond the classroom learning context.

Comparison on Well-Being, Engagement and Perceived School Climate in Secondary School Students with Learning Difficulties and Specific Learning Disorders: An Exploratory Study

Reading and writing skills influence the social status of students, exerting effects not only on learning, but also on wellbeing. This study aimed to assess the impact of diagnosis of specific learning disorder on well-being in secondary-school students, comparing students with a diagnosis of specific learning disorder (SLD-group), students showing learning difficulties without diagnosis (LD-group) and students without learning difficulties (control-group). Students were tested with neuropsychological screening tests in order to identify learning difficulties and were further assessed by means of psychological and school well-being questionnaires. The results show that LD group perceive themselves as having a low sense of mastery and autonomy, less interest and engagement in daily activities and low peer social support than their schoolmates. This result highlights, for the LD group, a low well-being experience, which is not observed in the SLD and control groups. On the contrary, SLD group students do not differ from control group students in any dimensions except for the perceived parents’ support and involvement in school life, in which the SLD group show the highest scores. This work underlines the importance of having a diagnosis as it seems to work as a protective factor for both the psychological and school well-being of the student.

Psikodrama untuk Self-Esteem Anak dengan Specific Learning Disorder Usia 9-12 Tahun

Di Indonesia sebanyak 5 juta dari 50 juta anak-anak mengalami kesulitan belajar. Ujian, prestasi dan literacy, merupakan tantangan yang besar untuk anak specific learning disorder (SLD). Anak dengan SLD sering distigmatisasi dan dikaitkan dengan kegagalan yang menurunkan self-esteem. Self-esteem rendah adalah hasil penilaian negatif terhadap diri dan kualitas diri yang memberikan dampak buruk bagi anak. Modul psikodrama ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan self-esteem rendah pada anak dengan specific learning disorder usia 9-12 tahun. Rancangan modul dibuat menggunakan pendekatan instructional system design dan metode penelitian tahap uji coba menggunakan metode quasi eksperimen dengan desain penelitian small design one group pre test-post test. Pengambilan data menggunakan interview, observasi dan pengisian kuesioner self-esteem. Rancangan modul ini melewati proses uji kelayakan yang dilakukan oleh 3 orang expert judgement dan uji coba pada 9 orang anak usia 9-12 tahun yang memiliki self-esteem rendah. Berdasarkan hasil yang diperoleh untuk meningkatkan self-esteem rendah pada anak usia 9-12 tahun, maka dalam modul psikodrama menekankan pada materi area teman dan sekolah, teknik sculpture, dan proses berulang