Chapter 5
Understanding Students with Learning Disabilities
Chapter Objectives
After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
• Identify and define the characteristics of students with learning disabilities.
Chapter Overview/Presentation Outline
I: Introduction
Slide 2: Chapter 5 Objectives
-Present slide 2 and review the chapter objectives
II: Identifying Students with Learning Disabilities
Slide 4: Describing the Characteristics
-Present slide 4 and discuss the academic achievement and social, emotional, and behavioral
characteristics of learning disabilities
III: Evaluating Students with Learning Disabilities
Slide 6: The Discrepancy Model
-Present slide 6 and discuss the discrepancy model of identifying students with learning disabilities
Slide 9: Explicit, Intensive, and/or Supportive Instruction
-Present slide 9 and discuss explicit, intensive and supportive instruction
IV: Designing an Appropriate IEP
Slide 11: Partnering for Special Education and Related Services
-Present slide 11 and discuss student involvement in IEPs
Slide 14: Planning for Other Educational Needs
-Present slide 14 and discuss transition success skills for college
V: Using Effective Instructional Strategies
Slide 17: Secondary and Transition Students
-Present slide 17 and discuss learning strategies for secondary and transition students
VI: Assessing Students’ Progress
Class Activities
1. At the beginning of class, have students read the case study at the beginning of the chapter. Discuss
2. Have students create a brochure about the disability addressed in the chapter. The brochure can be
trifold and include: a definition of the disability, causes of the disability, characteristics of the disability,
3. Assign each student or pair of students a disability. Have the students prepare a class presentation of
the disability to include definition of the disability, causes and prevalence, characteristics, assistive
4. Response to Intervention. Response to intervention is a big change from the discrepancy model. Ask
the students to write down the pros and cons of each model. A diagram handout is provided
6. At the end of class, have students revisit the case study at the beginning of the chapter. Use the
questions at the end of the chapter, “What do you think?” to facilitate discussion.
Discrepancy Model Pros
Response to Intervention Pros
