How to Identify Learning Disabilities for Math
According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, if a student struggles with math, a learning disability could be the cause. In addition to consistently keeping track of your student's academic progress, there are three main types of assessments that can be used to identify a learning disability in math: curriculum-based assessment, diagnostic assessment and achievement assessment. Identifying a learning disability early can improve the quality of education your student receives.
Instructions
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Assess your student by charting progress on weekly tests, collecting work samples and monitoring homework performance. You may wish to consult with a specialist or with the school psychologist at this point to discuss a potential learning disability.
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Meet with the child's family to discuss the observed learning disability in math. Look at options for increasing the student's success, and set up a meeting at a future date to re-evaluate. A referral to for a special education assessment may be recommended if learning problems continue.
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With the student's parents, decide if a learning disability assessment is necessary. If the student has not shown improvement at the time of the second meeting, the assessment should be carried out with the assistance of the school psychologist.
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Conduct a curriculum-based assessment to test the math skills and concepts that tend to be taught at the student's grade level. Common types of curriculum-based assessments are the Brigance Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills and the Brigance Inventory of Essential Skills.
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Assess the student's ability to perform in math compared to other students at the same grade level using a diagnostic assessment. Many schools use the assessments Key Math---Revised and the Stanford Diagnostic Mathematics Test.
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Measure the student's mathematical knowledge and her ability to apply that knowledge compared to other students of the same age using an achievement assessment. Some common examples of achievement tests are the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, the Peabody Individual Achievement Test, the Wide Range Achievement Test, and the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery.
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Meet with the school psychologist to discuss the test results before meeting with the parents. It is helpful if the school psychologist is present at the meaning to explain the results.
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Tips & Warnings
Use your school's support staff. Many districts provide a specialist for assessing learning disabilities.
Be very sensitive when explaining the potential for a learning disability to the parents. To avoid offending parents, highlight some of the student's recent successes to show that you recognize the student's potential for academic achievement.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit math image by jaddingt from Fotolia.com
