LEARNING IMPAIRMENTS
1
,Index
Introduction 3
Question A 3
Question B 4
Question C 5
Question D 6
Question E 8
Question F 10
Question G 11
Question H 12
Question I 13
Question J 15
Question K 16
Question L 17
Question M 18
Conclusion 20
Bibliography 20
2
, Introduction:
Through this essay I will attempt to create a deeper understanding of learners with learning
impairments and how to teach these learners in our mainstream classrooms. I will be
looking at the challenges teachers and learners face and the possible solutions thereto.
Question A : Definition of learning impairment
It is important to distinguish between learning difficulty and learning impairment right from
the start. I almost made the mistake of assuming that it is the same concept when in fact it
is not. According to Dednam (2005:363) learners with learning impairment are those
learners who need extra concentrated support regarding their academic work. She states
further that these learners have difficulties in spite good teaching they experience and
support from home. It is intrinsic factors that causes these impairments and it cannot be
relieved.
Dednam (2005:364) describes the term learning impairment as a “heterogeneous group of
neurological disorders in the basic psychological processes of the brain and which manifest
in difficulties with language and/or mathematical calculations.” Such difficulties can include
dyslexia, perceptual problems, slight brain injury and developmental aphasia. (Dednam,
2005:364)
She goes further is stating that learning impairment is mainly caused by central nervous
system dysfunction, but other occur because of other reasons such as environmental
disadvantages. (Dednam, 2005:364)
The term ‘learning disability’ has been used for struggling learners for many years, until
some researchers developed the term “learning impairment”. The latter term is better to
use, because it only refers to the inabilities within the learner and does not present the
learner as a disabled person. (Dednam, 2005:365)
Woolfolk (2014:152) found that injuries or diseases to the brain an also lead to learners
struggling with behaviour, attention, language or mathematics.
3
1
,Index
Introduction 3
Question A 3
Question B 4
Question C 5
Question D 6
Question E 8
Question F 10
Question G 11
Question H 12
Question I 13
Question J 15
Question K 16
Question L 17
Question M 18
Conclusion 20
Bibliography 20
2
, Introduction:
Through this essay I will attempt to create a deeper understanding of learners with learning
impairments and how to teach these learners in our mainstream classrooms. I will be
looking at the challenges teachers and learners face and the possible solutions thereto.
Question A : Definition of learning impairment
It is important to distinguish between learning difficulty and learning impairment right from
the start. I almost made the mistake of assuming that it is the same concept when in fact it
is not. According to Dednam (2005:363) learners with learning impairment are those
learners who need extra concentrated support regarding their academic work. She states
further that these learners have difficulties in spite good teaching they experience and
support from home. It is intrinsic factors that causes these impairments and it cannot be
relieved.
Dednam (2005:364) describes the term learning impairment as a “heterogeneous group of
neurological disorders in the basic psychological processes of the brain and which manifest
in difficulties with language and/or mathematical calculations.” Such difficulties can include
dyslexia, perceptual problems, slight brain injury and developmental aphasia. (Dednam,
2005:364)
She goes further is stating that learning impairment is mainly caused by central nervous
system dysfunction, but other occur because of other reasons such as environmental
disadvantages. (Dednam, 2005:364)
The term ‘learning disability’ has been used for struggling learners for many years, until
some researchers developed the term “learning impairment”. The latter term is better to
use, because it only refers to the inabilities within the learner and does not present the
learner as a disabled person. (Dednam, 2005:365)
Woolfolk (2014:152) found that injuries or diseases to the brain an also lead to learners
struggling with behaviour, attention, language or mathematics.
3
