Specific Learning Disabilities

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Lecturing; case studies; errors evaluation exercises; training with assessment and intervention material; planning of intervention programs.

Learning Outcomes

-To know and understand the diversity and complexity of specific learning disabilities;

-To characterise each one of the learning disabilities;

-To know methods and techniques of psycho-pedagogical evaluation aimed at identifying specific learning disabilities;

-To know learning disability intervention programmes;

-To analyse evidence-based intervention methods and techniques designed for specific learning disabilities

-To evaluate specific learning disabilities

-To plan educational interventions adequate to specific learning disabilities and adjusted to the specificities of each particular case.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction: Specific learning disabilities, a definition; from a clinical to an educational model centered in response to intervention

2. Reading – decoding, fluency and comprehension disabilities. Dyslexia: diagnosis, typologies, and etiology; assessment and reading errors evaluation

3. Writing – motor, phonological and orthography processing, and text composition disabilities. Diagnosis and reeducation

4. Non-verbal disabilities – distinction between verbal and non-verbal learning disabilities. Non-verbal learning disabilities characterization

4.1. Mathematics – counting, number combination, arithmetic, and problem solving disabilities. Dyscalculia: characterization and etiologies. Diagnosis and reeducation.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Isabel Ferraz Festas

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 40.0%
Frequency: 60.0%

Bibliography

- Erickson, K. A., & Koppenhaver, D. (2019). Comprehensive literacy for all: Teaching students with significant disabilities to read and write. Paul H Brookes Publishing.

- Lerner, J. W., & Johns, B. H. (2013). Learning disabilities and related disabilities. Strategies for success (13th edition). Stamford: Cengage Learning.

- Moura, O., Pereira, M., & Simões, M. R. (Coord.) (2018). Dislexia: Teoria, Avaliação e Intervenção. Lisboa: Lidel/Pactor.

- Swanson, L., Harris, K., & Graham, S. (Eds.) (2013). Handbook of learning disabilities (2nd ed.). NY: Guilford.