Student Conference Scenario

A problem-solving approach to assist a student with learning disabilities
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Rachel is a sixth grader with specific learning disabilities, lately she has not been completing her homework assignments, performing poorly on tests, and her grades are failing. She appears lacking motivation and desires to succeed in school. Students with learning disabilities (such as Rachel) normally have average to above average intelligence, though experience difficulties in processing information that affect their learning. According to Ellis (2005), learning disabilities consist of various disorders that affect the way nonverbal, or verbal information is understood, retained, organized, and acquired. Impact of learning disabilities can be identified by unexpected learning under-achievement like the case of Rachel. This paper examines a suggestive problem-solving approach that teachers can follow to offer assistance to Rachel.
An effective problem-solving approach that teachers can adopt should involve key components such as identification and assessment; individualized program plan; collaboration; adequate parent involvement; continuous assessment; accommodations; assistive technology; self-advocacy; and transition planning (Bender, 2007). These components contribute to efficient programming to bring significant interventions; they complement and influence each other and support instructional practices.
Mastropieri and Scruggs (2013) explain that identification and assessment involve the need of early identification of this problem to eliminate the “wait to fail” issue. Individualized program plan is a mechanism that teachers can use to plan and monitor success of the student with learning difficulties. The plan aims to involve the parents to offer personal information about the student and be in a position to assist the student. The plan includes a summary of objectives, goals and accommodations to offer effective assistance and educational instructions targeting the special needs of the student.
Collaboration is a vital component because no one profession or one individual has all the skills and knowledge required to meet the complex needs of the student. Forming a “learning team” constituting support specialist, teachers, parents and the student are vital, which encourage teamwork, administrative support and collaborative problem-solving (Bender, 2007). Sufficient parent involvement is another important component that aims to ensure that there is a sufficient relationship between important and positive parent involveme...