Second Blog Post: Part III: Learning from others

The second disability category I learned about from the blog post is different/similar from my original category in the following ways:
a. Definition
b. Developmental characteristics
c. Classroom strategies, needs, strengths.


A. Some similarities between Rett Syndrome and Learning Disabilities-Writing, that I noticed was that in the definition it states: “Specific learning disability means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write…” A person who has Rett’s Syndrome problems can be seen in communication and social skills when they start falling behind their peers. Both of these disabilities seem to have problems with speech and language. Differences I noticed were that with learning disabilities-writing, it does not state that they lose their social and communication skills that they already have; which is said to happen with children who have Rett Syndrome.

B. A developmental characteristic of a learning disabilities-Writing is that: “Many times a person with a writing disability has another learning disability…” Most girls that have Rett Syndrome also have mental retardation. Both of these disabilities can be paired with another disability along with the one that they have. A person who has Rett’s syndrome or a writing disability can have problems with handing writing skills. A difference is that a person who has Rett’s Syndrome can experience some physical disabilities, like decelerating head size, or shaking or coordination problems.

C. Classroom strategies I noticed were the same were the following: both of us would use the IEP as a foundation on how to teach the student and aid the student in the best way we could in the classroom. We both used a lot of the same sources such as parents, and other teachers. A difference that I noticed was that I talked about introducing myself to the student before school starts, I do not think that was absolutely necessary for a child with a writing disability, but for someone who has Rett’s Syndrome it is. We both found great websites that would help a teacher who taught the child who had the disability. Knowing a lot about the disability before you have the child in your classroom is extremely important and she listed great sources not only to learn about the disability but to stay engaged and up to date about it and what is going on the special education field.