Disability Characteristics on Math/ Accommodations for Students with LD, ADHD,PTSD,TBI and Wounded
WarriorsHelping Students Navigate
Academic Success
Dr. Paul Nolting
Academic Success Press, Inc.http://www.academicsuccess.com
[email protected](941) 951-8160Copyright 2014
Agenda
Informal Quiz
LD, ADHD, PTSD, TBI and MTBI
Stages of Memory Processing Information
Processing Deficits and Their Effects on the Learning Process
Teaching/Tutoring Concerns – Best Practice
Educational and Testing Accommodations
Course Substitutions
The Myths and Truths
MythsDisabilities can go awayStudents with LD, ADHD, PTSD and TBI have low intelligence or are slow learnersIf they would just study harder or be exposed to more educational opportunities they would not be disabledStudents with disabilities have the same learning problems.Disabilities can be cured. Disabilities do not exist.
Truths• Disabilities do not disappear but
may range in expression and severity at different life stages
• By definition a student with LD has average to high intelligence.
• Disabilities are neurological in origin. They have a central nervous system basis. It doesn’t arise from lack of exposure to life experiences.
• There are many different disabilities that require different strategies. A student can have more than one disability type.
• Disabilities are permanent conditions.
• Disabilities do exist under ADA
Definitions of Math and Other Disabilities
Acalculia – inability to read or write numbers in that individuals can not perform calculations or having impaired spatial organization
Dyscalculia – failure to develop math (arithmetic) competences that is not due to a brain injury or mental impairment
Dysalgebria – students with average to above average IQ can master calculations but can not master algebra (Nolting, 2000).
Dyslexia – is not a math learning disability but may cause math learning problems due to misreading or miscopying numbers and letters.
Dysgraphia – is not a math disability but may cause math learning problems due to poor hand writing and copying from the board.
Math Learning Disabilities Characteristics
• Difficulty remembering the multiplication tables or facts• Reversal of numbers or letters such as 45 and 54 or 123 to
321 or 231and b for d and + for x • Miss coping problems from the board, online texts or
homework• Homework problems look like “chicken scratch” • Difficultly recalling sequence of problem steps/operations • Difficulty recalling math concepts• Difficulty or inability to understand abstract concepts • Demonstrates knowledge in classroom but not on tests • Not completing the math test but what is done is mostly
correct• Poor math study skills and organization
Math ADHD Characteristics
• Difficulty concentrating in the classroom • Easily distracted in class leading to missed problem
steps• Problems with short-term memory • Difficultly connecting problems steps to understand
concept or rule • Being impulsive in class and while completing homework• Difficulty taking notes and concentrating on lecture • Poor time management and organizations• Procrastination • Problems with executive function – make poor decisions
PTSD
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can occur following a life-threatening event like military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults like rape
The traumatic events that lead to post-traumatic stress disorder are usually so overwhelming and frightening that they would upset anyone. Following a traumatic event, almost everyone experiences at least some of the symptoms of PTSD.
PTSD
Acute Stress DisorderWithin 30 days of traumatic event or exposure to trauma
or abuse.Symptoms must be present for longer than a month;
those with symptoms in the first month after a traumatic event may meet criteria for Acute Stress Disorder. Apart from symptoms specified in the diagnostic criteria, PTSD patients often have important associated symptoms such as shame, guilt and isolation.
. But if you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the symptoms don’t decrease. You don’t feel a little better each day. In fact, you may start to feel worse.
PTSD
SHORT CIRCUITRYIn spite of the evolution/adaptation of the brain over the
eons, and the increasing awareness of the pre-frontal Cortex, when confronted by worries, stressful and traumatic events, the response skips back to more primitive times and jumps to the limbic system.
• Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event • Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the event is happening
again) • Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening
things)
PTSD
• Avoiding activities, places, thoughts, or feelings that remind you of the trauma
• Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma • Loss of interest in activities and life in general • Feeling detached from others and emotionally numb • Sense of a limited future (you don’t expect to live a
normal life span, get married, have a difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Irritability or outbursts of anger • Difficulty concentrating • Hyper vigilance (on constant “red alert”) • Feeling jumpy and easily startled
PTSD
Approaches to help
Be patient and understanding. Try to anticipate and prepare for PTSD triggers.Don’t take the symptoms of PTSD personally. Don’t pressure someone into talking.
(Don’t pursue a distance)
TBI and MTBI
Acquired brain injuryViolent hit to the headMay or may not lose consciousnessMovement of brain back and forth in skullSymptoms can be mild, moderate, severeSeveral MTBI is as bad as a TBICan change biochemistryMay or may not improve over timeSilent disability and growing
Stages of Memory
Hand out• Sensory input is when an
individual physically takes in the information. TBI, PTSD
• Sensory register is when the mind neurologically accepts the information. TBI, PTSD
• Short-term Memory is when the brain receives information and stores it for a brief time. TBI, LD?
Forgetting =
Information not input or registered.
Stages of Memory
Working Memory is like RAM in a computer that can send or recall information and is part of executive function. TBI, PTSD, LD?
Long-term memory is a storehouse of material that is retained for long periods of time. LD?
Abstract Reasoning uses recalled concepts to make new meaning and understanding without using language. TBI, LD?
Memory Output is recall learned facts and/or concepts. TBI, PTSD, LD?
Forgetting =
Information not Understood
Definition: Students with auditory process problems have difficultysynthesizing words and understanding words in noisy classrooms. These students may misinterpret wordsor not “hear” the words. This is not a hearing problem or short term memory problem. It is a problem of misinterpretation of words spoken words.
Auditory Processing Disorder
Primary Affected Areas: sensory register, short term memory
Observable Behaviors: students misunderstanding math vocabulary; difficulty solving word problems; difficulty reading the text and understanding lectures
Processing Speed Disorder
Definitions: Students with a visual speed processing disorder have great difficulty quickly recognizing numbers and conceptually similar visual objects. A student with visual speed processing disorder is able to visually process but very slowly.
Primary Affected Areas: sensory input & register; significantly related to math & PTSD
Common Observable Behaviors: re-reading sentences & paragraphs; scanty notes or no notes at all; very slow in completing homework, very slow in doing on line homework, very slow in completing tests, having difficulty quickly recognizing variables and math symbols, problems with automaticity
Short-term Memory Processing Disorder
Definition: Short-term memory disorder is categorized as auditory memory. It is the difficulty in keeping information in short term memory long enough to transfer it into working or long term memory. Also it is the automaticity of rearranging numbers in your head.
Primary Affected Areas: Subsequent effects on the long-term retrieval, working memory, long term memory, and abstract reasoning. Students who cannot hold information for more than a few seconds cannot use it to rehearse or recall from working memory. TBI
Observable Behaviors: Auditory: forget oral instructions; difficult to be group learner; ask questions about recent information; can’t hold on to steps long enough in mind to understand concept; difficulty in manipulating numbers in you head; difficulty in switching number in an equation presented verbally; some problems with abstract learning
Visual-Spatial Thinking Processing Disorder
Definitions: A student with a visual- spatial processing disorder has great difficulty in recognizing and synthesizing visual information. The student also has difficulty remembering visual information and remembering it in the correct order.
Primary Affected Areas: sensory input & register; short term memory
Common Observable Behaviors: re-reading sentences & paragraphs; “chicken scratch” notes or no notes at all; problem solutions all over the page; numbers miss-aligned; copying down incorrectly; difficulty reading tutor/instructor handwriting; facial gestures while looking at something; misreading variables and numbers such as b for d or 9 as a 6 or + for x
Long-Term Retrieval Processing Disorders
Definitions: Students with LTR disorders have minimal ability to input or retrieve information in active memory in order to understand concepts. The LTR process pertains to speed of putting information into/taking it out of long-term memory and abstract memory.
Primary Affected Areas: Abstract/fluid reasoning, Long-term memory; Memory output; Any learning task that involves using several pieces of information or concepts; tired after a short period of studying. Related to TBI, PTSD
Observable Behavior: Confusion on multiple step assignments; Brain Traffic Jam; spaced out look; student understands step by step problem solving but can not put all the steps together to solve the next problem.
Working Memory Processing Disorders
Definitions: Students with working memory disorders have minimal ability to retain a large amount of information in active memory in order to understand concepts. Students also have problems manipulating that information to solve problems. Low RAM
Primary Affected Areas: Abstract/fluid reasoning, Long-term memory; Memory output; Any learning task that involves using complex pieces of information or concepts; math problems that require using multiple concepts at the same time to solve; significantly related to math TBI, PTSD
Observable Behavior: Confusion on multiple step assignments; Student may understand each concept but can not organize the steps in order to solve the problem. tired and frustrated after a short period of studying
Definition: Students with long-term memory problems have minimal abilityto store information for a long periodof time. The length of time for whichstudents can hold information may vary. For instance, a student may learn material during one monthly unit and not remember it during the next unit. On the other hand it could be thata student remembers how to work a math problem one day and then forget how to do it the next day.
Comprehension-Knowledge (LTM) Processing Disorders
Primary Affected Areas: working memory, abstract reasoning and long term retrieval; significantly related to math
Observable Behaviors: holes in the foundation of concepts needed for further learning --- have to relearn information but remembers bits and pieces
Fluid /Abstract Reasoning Processing Disorder
Definition: Abstract reasoning disorders keep students from being able to form concepts and solve abstract problems that include novel situations and extrapolating information. It is also the inability to identify relationships with unfamiliar concepts and making inferences.
Primary Affected Areas: working memory, long term memory, memory output, all dependent on the level of critical thinking required highly significantly related to math- TBI
Covalent bonding compared to ionic means...
Covalence Atomic structure
Electrons
Observable Behaviors: need for repeated instruction as if information was never learned; repeated blank looks; ability to mimic processes but not apply them, not making inferential leaps; can’t generate alternate problem solving strategies
Additional COG Useful Clusters
• Verbal Ability: The student’s ability for language development that includes the comprehension of individual words and the comprehension word relationships.
• Thinking Ability: The student’s ability to process non language based information that is placed into short-term memory but needs additional processing to be understood. TBI
• Cognitive Efficiency: The student’s ability to cognitively process information accurately and automatically. For example, student’s visual/auditory speed in processing numbers (frees up working memory). TBI, PTSD
• Cognitive Fluency: The student’s ease and speed in performing cognitive tasks of recalling information. Faster fluency means more working memory can be use to solve math problems. TBI, PTSD
• Broad Attention: The student’s ability to input and process auditory information for a short period of time. Students with low scores may have a memory input deficit.
Memory Bypasses/Education Accommodations
Teaching /Handout Accommodations
• Vocabulary lists• Formula sheets/cards• Mental cheat sheets• Three column note taking• Lectures with immediate practice to
break up the inputting time with rehearsal time.
• Structured, step by step process for reading the textbook
• Overhead on during class for individual reference use during lecture (post on website)
• Class recitation• Math Study Skills Evaluation and
Winning at Math text
Tutoring1. Digital -record sequential steps or
questions that the student and tutor have created
2. Place same information on note cards
3. Put information cues to music or rhythmic recitation
4. Mental cheat sheets5. Construct tutoring session to include
constant student verbal and/or visual feedback. Over and over
6. Draw pictures for cueing7. Review and review
Visual Clarity/AccommodationsMathematics
1. Graph paper
2. Color assignment to different numerical functions and symbols
3. Problem on left side of paper and extra math calculations on the right with line dividing down the middle
4. Use of capital letters instead of small letters
5. Lots of white space
6. Students use whiteboard
7. Test format with larger fonts and more white space
8. Pictures/graphs for word problems
Writing and Reading1. Computer programs with visual
alterations
2. Color coding parts of sentences, paragraphs
3. Physically cut and paste
4. Lots of white space
5. Typing with large simple font
6. Note cards for organization of paper and sentence structures
7. Tests and readings with larger fonts and more white space.
8. Pictures for organization of ideas
Teaching and Tutoring Concerns
Students will remember information correctly when they go to study on their own.Students must learn math study skillsStudents will reduce anxietyStudents will learn how to self-regulate.Students will persist Educational &Testing Accommodations – My Math Success Plan
How can we help them mature into independent learners? Can we?
We must focus as much on how to learn the discipline content as learning the content.
Alternative Math Course Sequence
• Elementary Algebra Statistics
• Elementary Algebra Liberal Arts Math
• Elementary Algebra Topics in Math
Significant CHC Factors & Clinical Clusters for Course Substitution
Working Memory Not Enough RAM
Long-Term Memory Not Enough Facts
Abstract Reasoning Not Enough Logic
TBI, MTBI and PTSD – CHC and Clinical Clusters
Can use research in Math and Disabilities Handbook (Nolting, 2012) to support accommodations and course substitutions
Course Substitutions
• Introduction to Computers
• Accounting I
• Macro-economics• Philosophy• Earth and Space
Science
• Environmental Science
• Business math
• Astronomy
• Oceanography• Logic/Critical Thinking• Physical Science
Developing a Course Accommodation and Substitution Policy
• What are you now using to process course substitutions?
• What are you now using to process course accommodations?
• Guidelines for developing these policiesHow do students find out about making a request?Who determines student eligibility to make the request?Who informs the student about documentation for the request? Who helps the student prepare the request?Who receives the students request?Who is on the committee? Faculty, counselor, DRC, chairs, expert?Who receives the recommendation for approval or non approval?
Who receives the appeal for due process?How does the institution record the decision?How is the student notified about the decision? How can you be consistent in the decisions?
Mathematics Learning, Instruction, Tutoring, Accommodations Concerns
What are your concerns?
What can you do about it?
Collaboration of Departments and Centers to Improve Math Success
Office of Students with Disabilities
Math Department
Learning Assistance Center
Counseling/Advisement Center
Veteran Center
Administration
Who is on your Math Success Team?
Conclusion
Each student with disabilities is unique; therefore, it is important to continue learning about the processing deficits and how they affect learning in specific disciplines. As a result, an instructor or tutor can take the suggested strategies and adapt them to meet an individual’s special learning challenges.
Let’s continue the conversation. Email us at [email protected] whenever you have questions or when you have success stories!