Children and teens with learning, attention, and executive functioning problems benefit from an education plan that addresses two specific needs: structuring and flexibility. In this series of articles, Dr. Davenport outlines research-based suggestions.
Educational Care Addresses Two Specific Needs
Educational care of students who struggle with learning, attention, and executive functioning challenges should include structured and explicit teaching to improve specific skill deficits along with flexibly accommodating their current struggles.
(1) Structuring
Structuring involves direct teaching of skills and scaffolding strategies aimed at helping students address their specific learning challenges and weaknesses. For the student with a learning disorder, structuring involves explicit, highly structured, sequential, and systematic teaching of weak developmental and academic skills that provides practice and review of concepts over time. For the student with ADHD, instruction involves explicit teaching of executive functioning skills and learning strategies to address specific needs.
The following articles outline research-based structured and explicit teaching aimed at helping your student improve his or her skills and abilities in those areas of need.
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ADHD & Executive Functioning
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Dyslexia
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Reading Fluency
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Reading Comprehension
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Written Expression
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Math Computations, Procedures, and Problem Solving
(2) Flexibility
As the student with specific learning, attention, and/or executive function difficulties is developing her weak skills, she will benefit from classroom accommodations to support her currently weak abilities as outlined in my articles on classroom accommodations.
Accommodations might include extended time to complete difficult tasks, not counting off for specific weaknesses, and the use of auxiliary aids. Auxiliary aids are any tool used by a student to decrease the effects of his or her learning or attention challenges. For example, a student with a math disorder might be allowed to use a calculator or a “cue card” listing out the steps to a multiple-step math process when taking a quiz or test.
Collaborating for Success
Parents and Educators are encouraged to collaborate to meet the child’s needs through synergistic educational planning. Parents of children who attend public schools are urged to seek services through Response to Intervention, Section 504, or Special Education as outlined in my article on educational rights.
Need Help Getting Help for Your Struggling Student?
Contact us to make an appointment for an educational consultation or evaluation.
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(c) 2009-2019, Monte W. Davenport, Ph.D.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft
