School and SLDs
Today, it is well known that at least one student per classroom is likely to have a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD), which may present as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, or other related difficulties.
When we talk about Special Educational Needs (SEN), we refer to diverse developmental challenges that may affect education or learning. This includes students for whom schools may decide to formalize a personalized learning plan, as well as students with disabilities and those with Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs).
Understanding SLDs
SLDs are neurobiological developmental disorders that impact a person's ability to read, write, or perform calculations accurately and fluently. These disorders typically emerge during the early years of schooling. They stem from differences in the functioning of neural networks involved in reading, writing, and math processes.
Importantly, SLDs are not caused by intelligence deficits, psychological or environmental issues, or sensory impairments. However, they can lead to limitations in understanding and general knowledge development. Children facing these challenges may fall behind in school programs and display various types of errors in their academic work.
Common Errors
Children with dyslexia, for instance, might exhibit errors such as letter and number reversals, letter substitutions, reduced memory skills (e.g., difficulties learning sequences), spatial-temporal difficulties (e.g., distinguishing left from right), and problems with concentration.
Research has shown that these difficulties require a phonics-based approach rather than a global learning method. Traditional global methods, effective for general literacy instruction, often prove less suitable for students with SLDs.
Adapting teaching methods early is crucial. Recognizing a child’s difficulties in time allows educators to tailor their instruction to respect the child’s unique learning style.
Guidelines and Best Practices
The Italian Ministry of Education's 2011 guidelines on the right to education for students with SLDs, accompanying Law 170/2010, state:“... it is important to highlight that the most recognized scientific literature discourages the global method, as it has been shown to delay the development of adequate reading fluency and accuracy.”
Practical Support for SLDs
Throughout my professional experience, I have addressed a variety of challenges faced by children with SLDs. My interventions focus on providing support through diverse approaches aimed at enhancing learning skills and facilitating knowledge acquisition. These efforts often involve standardized diagnostic tools, technology-based methods, and tailored educational workshops.
Conclusions
In today’s educational landscape, the prevalence of students with Specific Learning Disorders is increasingly evident. These neurobiological challenges pose significant obstacles for both students and educators, requiring empathetic and targeted strategies to promote academic success for every individual.
Addressing these challenges demands a shift in teaching approaches, prioritizing phonics-based strategies over global methods. These strategies provide a stronger foundation for learning to read and write effectively.
Educational guidelines emphasize the need for personalized teaching strategies and caution against the global method, which may hinder progress for students with SLDs.
In practice, employing standardized diagnostic tools, organizing focused workshops, and respecting students' diverse learning styles are essential steps in creating an inclusive educational environment.
Supporting learning challenges with empathy and well-designed strategies is key to ensuring every student, regardless of their difficulties, has the opportunity to reach their full educational potential.
Written by
Dr Elizabeth Moore, Psychologist
(consultation only in Italian)
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Bibliography
Olga Codispoli Battacchi, Paola Bastianoni, La diagnosi psicologica in età evolutiva, Carocci Ed.
Patrizio E. Tressoldi, Claudio Vio, Il trattamento dei Disturbi Specifici dell'Apprendimento, Erickson Ed.
Paolo Maci, I disturbi specifici dell'apprendimento. Profili giuridici e di tutela Pimiceri Ed.
Giacomo Stella, Luca Grandi, Come leggere la dislessia e i DSA, GIunti Ed.
External resources
If you wish to explore the topic of psychological manipulation further and find relevant articles and studies, consider these important academic and institutional resourc
Ministero dell'IstruzioneLink: Ministero dell'Istruzione
AID - Associazione Italiana DislessiaLink: AID - Associazione Italiana Dislessia
European Dyslexia AssociationLink: European Dyslexia Association