Reading Disabilities - What are Learning Disabilities in Reading Comprehension?:
A learning disability in reading comprehension that affects the learner's ability to understand the meaning of words and passages. Students with LDs in reading comprehension may also have difficulty with basic reading skills such as decoding words, but understanding is the greater weakness. Some students with learning disabilities in reading comprehension can read aloud with little or no difficulty pronouncing words, but they do not understand or remember what they've read. Reading aloud, their words and phrases are often read with no feeling, no change in tone, no logical phrasing, and no rhythm or pace.
Reading Comprehension Disabilities - Causes of Comprehension Disabilities:
Learning disabilities in reading comprehension likely involve difficulty with language processing and visual reasoning centers of the brain. They can result from inherited conditions or developmental differences in the brain. They are not solely due to vision problems, difficulty with hearing or speech, or lack of appropriate instruction.
LDs in Reading Comprehension - Symptoms of Learning Disabilities Reading:
People with Learning disabilities in reading comprehension have difficulty understanding the important ideas in reading passages. They have difficulty with basic reading skills such as word recognition. In some cases, they may read aloud with little difficulty but do not understand or remember what they've read. Their phrasing and fluency are often weak. They frequently avoid reading and are frustrated with reading tasks in school. Naturally, reading comprehension problems affect many academic areas.
- Recognizing Signs of Learning Disabilities
- Signs of Possible Learning Disabilities in Younger Children
Instructional Design for LDs in Reading - Addressing Learning Disabilities :
Evaluation can provide information to help educators develop effective strategies. Typical strategies focus on using pre-reading tasks, mediated reading instruction, graphic organizing, and improving comprehension and retention. Teachers use assessment information to identify the specific types of reading problems a student has, and they choose effective strategies to correct the problems. This information is included in the child's IEP. Student progress is measured, and adjustments are made as needed.
Misunderstandings of LDs - Common Misconceptions about Reading Problems:
All students with learning disabilities are at-risk for being underestimated in their abilities. People with LDs in reading comprehension have general learning ability that is as high as, or higher than their peers. They simply have a skill deficit in this area. They may become frustrated because of the effort they must put forth to get their work done. They may appear as if they are not putting forth effort when in fact, they are just overwhelmed and are working harder than others. They know they are behind their peers, which affects their self-esteem and motivation.
Assessments for LDs in Reading - Testing and Assessment in Reading:
Diagnostic reading tests can be used to determine what specific types of problems are affecting the learner's reading skills. Through observations, analyzing student work, cognitive assessment, and possibly language assessment, educators measure your child's progress and can develop individualized education programs.
Next Steps for LDs in Reading - Where to Get Help with Reading Problems:
If you believe you or your child has LD in reading comprehension, contact your school principal or counselor for information on how to request an assessment. If school staff are unable to help you, contact your school district's special education administrator for assistance.
For students in college and vocational programs, their school's advising office can assist with finding resources to help ensure their success.
