Those who struggle academically may have learning difficulties. However, with the help of an IEP, individuals with learning difficulties can get the support they need to be successful in school.
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) outlines the student’s academic strengths and areas for improvement. To accommodate each student’s requirements, a group of teachers, parents, and experts collaborates to develop a customized lesson plan. What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP)? How is one set? How might it help children who have learning disabilities? Keep reading this post about “IEP for Learning Disability.”
These are all questions we’ll try to answer in this piece. We’ll discuss how an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) might help children with specific learning difficulties, and we’ll go over some of the most common learning disabilities. This post can help anyone—parents, educators, or students—understand Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and how to work with students with learning impairments.
What Does Learning Disability Mean on an IEP?
On an IEP, the word “learning disability” often refers to a specific condition that hinders a student’s ability to learn and complete specific academic tasks. Learning difficulties are neurological in origin and result from abnormalities in how the brain processes information. Reading, writing, and arithmetic might be challenging for students with these impairments to learn and apply.
An individualized education program (IEP) for a student with a learning disability will include information regarding the student’s strengths, weaknesses, and specific areas of difficulty. It will also have goals and objectives to assist the student in improving their skills in these areas and accommodations and modifications to facilitate learning.
The IEP team is responsible for establishing if a student has a learning disability and what interventions, adjustments, and modifications are necessary for the student’s academic success. The team may utilize a range of assessment instruments and evaluations, such as cognitive and achievement tests, to determine the student’s unique learning disability and to set reasonable goals and objectives for the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). One common approach for this is through RTI in Special Education.
Learning disability is a broad word that encompasses a variety of disorders, including ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, auditory and visual processing dysfunction, etc. The IEP team should evaluate all relevant facts when determining the learning problem.
What Are the Types of Learning Disabilities?
Various learning disorders exist, each affecting a unique facet of education. The following are examples of some of the most frequent forms of learning disabilities:
- Dyslexia: As a reading disorder, dyslexia manifests itself in various ways, including impaired decoding, phonological awareness, and word identification.
- Dyscalculia: Difficulty with numbers, arithmetic facts, and abstract mathematical ideas are all symptoms of dyscalculia, a disease that limits mathematical ability.
- Dysgraphia: A disorder characterized by impairments in fine motor skills, handwriting, and the ability to express oneself in writing is called dysgraphia.
- ADHD: Inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are all symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- Auditory Processing Disorder: Those who suffer from Auditory Processing Disorder have trouble hearing and understanding others because of their inability to decode and comprehend speech and other auditory cues.
- Visual Processing Disorder: Difficulty processing and visually understanding information, which can hurt academic performance in reading and mathematics, is a visual processing disorder.
- Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD): Difficulty recognizing and responding to social cues such as facial expressions, body language, and spatial relationships is a hallmark of nonverbal learning disability (NVLD).
- Executive Function Disorder: Dysfunction in the cognitive processes essential for self-control and goal-directed action is known as executive function disorder.
Now, you know what disabilities qualify for an IEP. Some children may have more than one type of learning disability, and the severity of each handicap can vary significantly from one person to the next. It’s also worth noting that the IEP process can miss some forms of learning disability because they are not common knowledge or widely acknowledged by educators and experts.
Examples of IEP for Learning Disability
IEP examples for students with learning disabilities will vary based on the specific needs of the student and the type of learning disability they have. Nevertheless, the following are some examples of IEP goals and adjustments educators may implement for students with various learning disabilities.
For a student with dyslexia:
- Goal: A student with dyslexia will enhance their reading fluency by reading 80 words per minute with 80% accuracy for 12 weeks.
- Accommodations include extra time for reading assignments, text-to-speech technology, and a multisensory reading program.
For a student with dyscalculia:
- Goal: Over 12 weeks, students with dyscalculia will improve their arithmetic skills by performing 2-step word problems with 80 percent accuracy.
- Accommodations: The use of manipulatives, a calculator, adapted math assignments, and extra time on math assessments are provided as accommodations.
For a student with dysgraphia:
- Goal: A student with dysgraphia will improve their handwriting by writing at least three coherent and properly formed sentences per week for 12 weeks, with an accuracy of 80 percent.
- Accommodations: Using a computer for writing tasks, extra time for writing assignments, and a handwriting program are reasonable accommodations.
For a student with ADHD:
- Goal: Over 12 weeks, students with ADHD will improve their attention span by maintaining focus for at least 20 minutes in class with 80% accuracy.
- Accommodations: The utilization of a seating chart, a timer, and a behavior chart is accommodation.
For a student with Auditory Processing Disorder:
- Goal: For 12 weeks, students with Auditory Processing Disorder will improve their listening abilities by correctly answering 80% of questions posed during class discussions.
- Accommodations: Use visual aids, repetition and rephrasing of material, and FM system as accommodations
For a pupil affected by Visual Processing Disorder:
- Goal: For 12 weeks, the student will improve their visual processing skills by accurately detecting 80% of visual information in reading passages.
- Accommodations: The use of highlighters, colorful overlays, magnifying glasses, and reduced classroom distractions are accommodations.
For a student with Nonverbal Learning Disability:
- Goal: For 12 weeks, the student will increase their comprehension of nonverbal cues by accurately detecting 80% of nonverbal indicators in a specific situation.
- Accommodations: Social skills training, the use of social stories, and the use of visual aids are acceptable modifications.
For a student with Executive Function Disorder:
- Goal: The learner will enhance their organizational skills by maintaining a planner with 80 percent accuracy throughout 12 weeks.
- Accommodations: Utilize a planner, and a checklist, break down giant jobs into smaller pieces, and utilize reminder systems as accommodations.
It is crucial to note that these examples can be tailored to the student’s particular needs and skills. It will help to download the IEP sample for learning disabilities pdf. Under consideration of the student’s existing abilities, requirements, and development, the IEP team should collaborate to establish goals that are best suitable for the kid. So, that is a sample IEP for learning disabilities.
What Is a Specific Learning Disability in an IEP?
When discussing a student’s educational needs, the term “specific learning disability” (SLD) is often used to describe a condition that hinders the student’s capacity to learn, process, and apply specific knowledge. There are examples of problems in reading, writing, math, or any other academic subject. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) recognizes SLD as a distinct form of disability (IDEA).
A student with a specific learning disability evaluated and found to have difficulty with one or more academic skills that cannot be attributed to other causes, such as a lack of opportunities, environmental factors, or inadequate instruction, and has had those difficulties will be documented on their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
An individualized education program (IEP) will outline the student’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas of difficulty for a student with a learning disability. The plan will also detail the accommodations and modifications used to help students learn and accomplish their goals in these areas. You should know what qualifies a child for an IEP.
The IEP team needs to consider the student’s assessment, observations, and other pertinent data when determining the nature of the student’s learning problem. Assessments and evaluations, such as cognitive and achievement tests, will also be used by the team as they zero in on the student’s unique learning problem and craft meaningful IEP goals and objectives. It is also essential to know the difference between IEP vs. 504 plans.
About Us:
Jennifer Hanson is a dedicated and seasoned writer specializing in the field of special education. With a passion for advocating for the rights and needs of children with diverse learning abilities, Jennifer uses her pen to educate, inspire, and empower both educators and parents alike.