This unit examines the psychological and educational problems of children with learning difficulties and learning disabilities.  The process of assessing literacy based skills and analysing student work samples is a strong focus in this unit that leads to the selection of appropriate strategies and approaches to remediate skill deficits.   The unit has a highly practical component and includes a case study.

On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should be able to:

• discuss the major programs and curricula used by teachers working with children with learning difficulties and learning disabilities;
• outline the teaching strategies required in teaching children with learning difficulties and learning disabilities;
• analyse the psychological and social profiles of children with learning difficulties and learning disabilities;
• analyse and evaluate research articles in the field; and
• discuss the major policy issues in respect of service delivery to children with learning difficulties and learning disabilities.

1. Mapping the territory: understanding the nature and incidence of learning difficulty and learning disability terminology used to describe students with such difficulties and disabilities.
2. The reading, spelling and writing process, the common literacy difficulties students experience and strategies to support literacy development.
3. Assessment methods including standardised tests, teacher tests and critical analysis of student work samples and observed behaviours to determine learning strengths and weaknesses in the area of literacy development.
4. Empirically based strategies to support students with learning difficulties and learning disabilities.
5. Analysis and evaluation of research in the field.

• Knowledge and skills will be developed by lectures, tutorials and practical experiences.

The following graduate attributes will be developed in this unit:

• Ability to work in teams
• Critical appraisal skills