When a teacher has a student with learning disabilities, there are many options for that student to receive the help they need in order to succeed in school. Most learning disabilities involve reading, writing, and speech, so these tips are geared towards these areas. Teachers should always work with both parents and support staff in order to develop the best education plans for their students.

Many students with learning disabilities may need more time to take tests and finish assignments. Test taking should be accommodated by support staff in the resource room. If a student will be handing in late assignments, the teacher must be in constant, positive contact with the student’s parents.

Students with learning disabilities may find it helpful to have assignments broken down into smaller tasks. Sitting down with the student and explaining the overall assignment, then the steps that need to be taken to get there, can help the student feel confident about completing the assignment instead of overwhelmed by it.

Students can also benefit from having a designated note-taker in class or borrowing notes from another student. Some students with learning disabilities can find it frustrating to keep up with the teacher during a lesson and can miss key concepts if they’re not taking notes fast enough or if they’re not writing down the important information. Designating another student or classroom aide to take notes can help that student listen to the teacher and have the information they need when they study by themselves.

The school may decide on a number of accommodations to help the student succeed. It’s important for teachers and other school staff to keep in contact with the student’s parents so they can have a consistent learning environment. The student should feel comfortable studying and learning at both home and school so they can feel confident about their education.