Latest Teaching Tips

Learning Disabled Students in High School

2010-03-08

It is not unusual for a learning disabled student to reach high school without being identified as having a learning disability. Often, the increased demands and competition of high school brings out signs of a learning disability that were not apparent before high school.

Here are some signs that a student in one of your high school classes may have an unidentified learning disability.

Has difficulty remembering information.
Misreads or misinterprets directions in assignments and tests.
Works slowly.
Has difficulty with abstract concepts.
Has difficulty handling change.
Has difficulty focusing attention and maintaining concentration for a full class period.

If you observe these signs in one of your students, consider referring the student for diagnostic testing. Once diagnosed, the student can receive appropriate accommodations and support. Many students with a learning disability go on to enter and succeed in college.