B.Ed. (Learning Disability) (LD) Assessment and Identification of Learning Disability and Needs Syllabus - Mumbai University

Introduction

• This course is planned to orient and educate the teacher trainees on understanding the condition of Learning Disability, the various types of LD and acquiring the skills of assessment in different domains and curricular areas, and diagnosing the condition. Along with the exposure to the standardized tools of assessment, the informal assessment tools are introduced. The skills in development and use of these tools will help them in conducting comprehensive assessment for programme planning.

Objectives

After Completing the course, the learners will be able to:

• Comprehend the concept, the history, causes and manifestations of Learning Disability.
• Describe and differentiate among different types of Learning Disability.
• Understand the assessment and the assessment procedures for Learning Disability diagnosis.
• Explain the domains and tools for assessment.

Module 1: Introduction to LD

• 1.1 LD: Definition and concept
• 1.2 History of LD
• 1.3 Etiology of LD- medical and social
• 1.4 Co-morbidity with LD – ADHD
• 1.5 LD across the life span

Module 2: Types of LD

• 2.1 Specific LD in Reading
• 2.2 Specific LD in Writing
• 2.3 Specific LD in Mathematics
• 2.4 Dyspraxia
• 2.5 Non-verbal LD

Module 3: Assessment of LD

• 3.1 Concept of screening and identification
• 3.2 Identification criteria – DSM 5
• 3.3 Differential diagnosis
• 3.4 Assessment tools – standardized (WISC, SPM, CPM, DTLD, DTRD, BCSLD, GLAD, Aston Index), CRTs and NRTs, TMTs
• 3.5 Portfolios, checklists, rating scales, anecdotal records, observation schedules

Module 4: Domains of Assessment

• 4.1 Motor
• 4.2 Perceptual
• 4.3 Cognitive
• 4.4 Social-Emotional
• 4.5 Language

Module 5: Assessment of Curricular Areas

• 5.1 Readiness skills
• 5.2 Reading
• 5.3 Spelling
• 5.4 Writing
• 5.5 Mathematics

Transaction

• This course creates a foundation for understanding and assessing for Learning Disability. While teaching this course, a lot of emphasis has to be placed on presenting case studies to comprehend the manifestations of Learning Disabilities. Through discussions, demonstrate the process of arriving at differential diagnosis. The teacher trainees have to acquire the skill of developing Teacher Made Tests for assessment. Keeping this in mind, the transaction of unit 4 and 5 has to be through hands on training in development of TMTs. Evaluating the TMTs developed by peers will also be a valuable learning experience.

Hands on experience for notional hours (any two). 30 hrs 10 marks

• 1 Watch a relevant movie to understand issues related to LD. Submit review & reflections.
• 2 Review 2 IEPs of student with LD. Submit report in a format given by the college.
• 3 Develop a TMT to assess various domains and curricular areas. Submit the test.
• 4 Make a leaflet for mainstream school teachers help them suspect LD in their primary class.

Essential Readings

• Lerner, J W.2000. Learning Disabilities: Houghton Mifflin
• Bender, W. N.,(1995)Identification and Teaching Strategies Learning Disabilities, characteristics, identification and coaching categories New York: Allyn bacon

Suggested Readings

• Raj F (2010) Breaking Through – A hand book for parents and teachers of children with specific learning disabilities, Secunderabad: Vifa Pub
• Reddy L. G., Ramaa R. and Kusuma A. (2000): Learning Disabilities: a practical Guide to Practitioners, New Delhi: Discovery Publishers
• Lee. S H., Harris Karen R., Graham Steve. (2003) Handbook of Learning Disabilities, the Guilford Press, Ist Edition
• Venkateshwarlu, D. 2005. Diagnosis and remediation of mathematical difficulties, New Delhi: Neel Kamal publications
• Kapur, M John A, Rozario J, Oommen A. NIMHANS index of specific learning disabilities, Bangalore:NIMHANS
• Jena SPK 2013. Specific Learning Disabilities: Theory to Practice New Delhi; Sage Publications
• Karanth, Prathibha & Rozario, Joe: Learning disabilities in India willing the mind to learn. New Delhi. Sage, 2003. 978 81 7829 142 0 Rs.595--(371.90954Kar/Roz)