Semester Seventh III: B.S. in Special Education University of Karachi

Major – III: LEARNING DISABILITY: An Introduction

Course Code: 631

Credit Hours: 03

 

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

This course is designed to help students to understand the concept of learning disability, its definition, classification, causes and prevention. Students will focus on the development of teaching and programming skills required for the teaching of children with learning disability.

 

ADVANCE ORGANIZERS

1. What definition is used for students with learning disability?
   
2. How are levels of learning disability differentiated?
   
3. What are the primary characteristics of students with learning disability?
   
4. What instructional approaches and teaching tactics are appropriate for students with learning disability?
   

 

UNIT – 1:    Introduction

1. Concept of Learning Disability
   
   1. Definition of Learning Disabilities
      
   2. Prevalence
      
   3. Types
      
   4. Discrepancy Criteria for identification
      
2. Causes
   
   1. Organic and Biological Factors
      
   2. Genetic Factors
      
   3. Environmental Factors
      
   4. Neuro Psychological Factors
      

 

UNIT – 2:    Psychological and Behavioral Characteristics

1. Inter-individual Variation
   
2. Intra individual Variation
   
3. Academic Achievement Problems
   
4. Perceptual, Perceptual-Motor and General Coordination Problems
   
5. Disorders of Attention and Hyperactivity
   
6. Memory, Cognitive and Metacognitive Problems
   
7. Social – Emotional Problems
   
8. Motivational Problems
   

 

UNIT – 3:    Assessment:

1. Standardized Achievement Tests
   
2. Informal Reading, Writing and Mathematics Inventory
   
3. Formative Evaluation
   
4. Authentic Assessment
   

 

UNIT – 4:    Educational Considerations

1. Educational Methods for Academic Problems
   
2. Educational Methods for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
   
3. Behavior Problems
   

 

UNIT – 5:    Other Issues

1. Service Delivery Models
   
2. Early Intervention
   
3. Transition
   
4. Students with Learning Disabilities in General Education
   

 

Recommended Books

 

1. Hallahan, D.P. and Kauffman, J.M. (1997)
   Exceptional Learners: Introduction to Special Education: Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
   
2. Heward, W.L. and Orlansky, M.D. (1992) Exceptional Children: An Introductory Survey of Special Education. New York: MacMillan Publishing Company
   
3. Smith T.E., et al. (1995) Teaching Students with Special Needs in Inclusive Settings. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
   
4. Ysseldyke, J.E. and Algozzine, B. (1995) Special Education: A Practical Approach for Teachers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.