Download Students with Learning Disabilities

Students with Learning
Disabilities
Medical Aspects
Neurology and Learning
Disabilities
• All learning occurs in the brain facilitated
by the nervous system
• Theory that minimal disorders or
abnormalities in the nervous system result
in learning problems
• Neurology is the medical specialty that
focuses on the structure and function of
the nervous system
Central Nervous System
• Basic unit is nerve cell or neuron
• Each neuron has cell body, axon, and
dendrites
• Nerve impulses are conducted from one
nerve cell to another across the synapse
through the action of chemicals called
neurotransmitters
The Brain
• Three major parts
– Brain stem
• Oldest, most primitive part of the brain
– Cerebellum
• Receives and integrates sensory input to
coordinate voluntary muscle system
– Cerebrum
• Largest part, controls conscious functioning of the
nervous system
The Brain Stem
• Medulla oblongata
– Coordinates heart and respiration rates and other
reflexive, life-sustaining operations
• Pons
– Associated with sensory input and motor outflow to
the face
• Midbrain
– Controls eye movement, state of brain wakefulness
and possibly attention
• Diencephalon
– Relay between brain stem and rest of brain,
integrates all sensory systems except smell
Cerebrum
• Right and left hemisphere connected by
the corpus callosum
• Each hemisphere has four major regions:
temporal, frontal, parietal and occipital
lobes
• Surface of lobes is the cerebral cortex
• Hemispheres appear to function cross
laterally
Neurodiagnostic Technology
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EEG
BEAM
CAT
PET
MRI
Etiological Perspectives
• Acquired Trauma
– Prenatal, perinatal and postnatal
• Genetic/Hereditary Influences
– Chromosomal abnormalities, twin studies
• Environmental Influences
– Exposure to substances
• Biochemical Abnormalities
– Imbalance in production of neurotransmitters
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder
• DSM-IV diagnosis
• Suspected biochemical etiology, other theories
emerging
• Most common psychiatric syndrome in children
• Overall population prevalence low, extremely
high among children with learning disabilities
• ADHD as Other Health Impairment under IDEA
Approaches to Treatment
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Stimulant medication
Behavior management
Content mastery classes
Cooperative learning
Peer tutoring
Home-school coordination
Specialized instruction
Pediatric Neurologist and
Neurological Exam
• Standard neurological exam includes:
– Medical history
– Current health status
– Examination of cranial nerves
– Test of body sensation
– Motor skill assessment
– Evaluation of deep tendon reflexes
– Assessment of higher processes
Hearing
• Sense of hearing is crucial for learning and
language development
• Otologist
– Medical doctor specializing in care and
prevention of damage to ear
• Audiologist
– Non-medical specialist who assesses extent
of hearing loss and appropriate prosthetic
devices
Vision
• Classroom tasks rely heavily on eyesight
• Ophthalmologist
– Medical doctor specializing in care and cure
of diseases related to the eye
• Optometrist
– Can prescribe lenses and treat functional
aspects of vision