Creative Techniques and Learning Disabilities

| Posted: 13-05-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 27 | Rating: (54)

(?)

Many strategies for dealing effectively with learning disabilities include multi-sensory approaches. The thinking behind this is simple: the more ways you give a person to remember something, the more chances they have of actually doing so. One approach that works-particularly for the artistically inclined-is the use of creative techniques to relay and interpret academic information.

These techniques may include the integration of visual art (such as painting, drawing, or photography), literary art (such as poems, short stories, or plays), music, or drama. Not only are these approaches entertaining for students, they also make use of different areas of the brain, which promotes valuable cross-region connections.

There are two excellent sources on the subject, which are profiled below.

1. The Power of the Arts: Creative Strategies for Teaching Exceptional Learners, written by Sally L. Smith

The author of this revolutionary book is one of the country's foremost experts on working with learning disabled students. She's the founder and director of Washington D.C.'s Lab School, an institution she created specifically for students with learning differences. Smith is also a professor of education at American University and the mother of a child with scholastic difficulties.

All of these qualifications make her well-suited to providing parents, teachers, and other learning disability specialists with information on the best techniques for working with special needs students. This book consists of interviews with faculty members of the Lab School, who have found that incorporating art into their curriculum has made their lessons come alive for their students.

One example illustrates how sculpture can be used to teach students about geometric principles, while another shows how acting can enhance students' vocabularies. Clear, detailed instructions allow readers to put these techniques to use in their own homes or classrooms. Smith makes the important argument that art is not only a fun way for students to express themselves, but also culturally and scholastically enriching.

2. Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level, written by Sally Shaywitz

This critically-acclaimed book uses science to give evidence that artistic techniques are an effective way to teach dyslexic students how to read. Shaywitz-a Yale neuroscientist-looks at the structure of the dyslexic brain and how it functions. Neurotechnology has proven that those with dyslexia use a different part of the brain to read than those without dyslexia.

Art can be used as a means to create connections between the two areas of the brain, thus enabling the ability to make sense of written language. Shaywitz makes the compelling argument that dyslexia should be looked at not just as a weakness, but also as a strength. She points to the large number of highly successful artists who have struggled with and benefited from their dyslexia, including Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Wendy Wasserstein and bestselling author John Irving.

Shaywitz provides in-depth case studies of these artists to illustrate how dyslexia allows for increased creativity and comprehension, while at the same time inhibiting the ability to decode letters and punctuation marks. She indicates that art can help to bridge the gap between these two types of skills, which can lead to great personal and professional achievement.

Rate this Article:

Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Tags: Learning Disabilities

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/creative-techniques-and-learning-disabilities-146851.html

Print article

Send to friend

Publish this Article

Author feedback

About the Author:

Jane Saeman runs an In-Home Tutoring service called Aim High Tutors. Find out about how to help your student reach their full potential at http://www.aimhightutors.com/blog .

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Add new Comment

3 Key Challenges To Reduce Homework Time and Stress
By: Mira And Mark Halpert | 07/07/2006 | Education
Education related free articles.

Math Tutors May Not Be Answer To Mathematical Challenges
By: Paul Counts | 18/05/2007 | Education
Education related free articles.

Unexpected Miracle: a Moment of Awe!/1'st in a Series
By: Maxine Moore | 27/08/2008 | Learning Disabilities

Parent Revolution to Beat Dyslexia or Learning Disabilities
By: Mira And Mark Halpert | 07/07/2006 | Education
Education related free articles.

Common Misconceptions About Learning Disabilities
By: Jane Saeman | 09/06/2007 | Education
Education related free articles.

Unexpected Miracle: Recovering From Heart Surgery/3rd in a Series
By: Maxine Moore | 12/09/2008 | Learning Disabilities

Central Auditory Processing Disorder Can Harm Your Child's Future Get Tested
By: Paul Counts | 14/10/2006 | Education
Education related free articles.

Learning Disabilities and Self-Esteem
By: Jane Saeman | 11/06/2007 | Education
Education related free articles.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Sex Addictive husband
By: pebbles47 | 20-04-2008
my husband is a sex addict and we havent been intimate for over a year. When he looks at other woman in a sneaky way thinking I dont see him, I get upset that he does this in front of me. He gets mad and says he is not looking. He thinks I am jealous and I am not. He just doesnt understand....

Q&A Powered by:

Latest Education Articles

Carhartt Pants: How to Shop for the Best Work Pants
By: Thoma King | 10/10/2008
When you are part of the work force, you are naturally concerned about the cost of the clothing you wear to work. The price of everything has gone up dramatically over the last few years. When you select Carhartt pants for your work wardrobe, you have the assurance that you...

Free College Education Exists
By: Debbie Dragon | 10/10/2008
As high school seniors begin making plans to go to college, the financial reality of it all begins to set in for their parents. Sure, it's usually pretty easy for students and their parents to get approved for college loans to pay for whatever you can't pay upfront - but...

Science of Learning and Foreign Languages
By: Mark E. Piscopo | 10/10/2008
Learning a foreign language is easier, such as Chinese, when understanding how you learn. The science of learning is based on several theories and include: multiple intelligences, right-brain/left-brain/whole-brain, and brain-based learning. Understanding how you learn new information becomes the keystone to effective study patterns and habits. Many people who attempt...

How to Help Your Kids to Have School Success
By: James Brown | 10/10/2008
As parents, your role is to guide, encourage and be the first teacher to your kids. It is easier said than done and that is for certain. But if you know the things you just exactly need to do to help ease the school stress that is giving your kid,...

Piano Notes Can Be Forgotten
By: Daniel E. Friedman | 10/10/2008
The sheer terror of forgotten piano notes! Playing the piano had occupied the lad's life during his entire childhood. Now, after a twenty year break, the lad, now full grown, ventured toward the piano to relive his childhood via some black dots on some manuscript paper. Then it happened. The...

Steps to Getting Along With a Bad College Roommate
By: Tom Tessin | 10/10/2008
Going away to college is a huge thing for students at first. It is completely foreign to most and you never know what you're going to expect. College students have new classes, a new area to live, new people to meet and much more. The thing that always worries college...

Why Should You Learn the Japanese Language?
By: Julie Landry | 09/10/2008
Japan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with a total population of 127 million. Tokyo is one of the world's most populous cities. Japanese language instruction receives more attention in Japanese schools than English instruction in the United States because of the difficulty of learning...

Teach Your Teenager To Drive - Part 2
By: Ray Baker | 09/10/2008
When you are happy that your teenager has mastered the basics of starting and stopping the car, driving in a straight line, and simple left and right turns, you are ready to move on to the next step.

More from Jane Saeman

Goal Setting for Students That Really Works
By: Jane Saeman | 14/01/2008 | Goal Setting
What is a goal? A goal is something you are aiming to achieve.

Do You Have Trouble Puttings Words to Paper?
By: Jane Saeman | 10/01/2008 | Writing
A writer will use a number of different techniques when using their words to grab a reader's attention.

Do You Have a Student That Procrastinates?
By: Jane Saeman | 10/01/2008 | Education
Why do some of us procrastinate and what can we do about it?

Encourage Good Study Habits in Your Teenager
By: Jane Saeman | 10/01/2008 | Education
Teenagers fall mainly into two categories when it comes to school. Those who are focused and have a plan that includes good grades and college, and those who think it's all a waste of time and are counting off the days until they're free of classes for good.

Home Schooling - The Free Basics to Getting Started
By: Jane Saeman | 10/01/2008 | Education
Having made the decision that home schooling is the best learning opportunity for your child, you now need to consider some basic steps in order to create that school environment.

So You Want to Know about the ACT
By: Jane Saeman | 09/01/2008 | Education
Did you know that adding an ACT score can give your student a better advantage at admission?

Preparing Your Child for Preschool
By: Jane Saeman | 09/01/2008 | Education
If you have a child who is unsure and not looking forward to this new challenge, there are some things that you can do to help prepare your little one for the adventure that lies ahead.

Preparing a Research Paper
By: Jane Saeman | 09/01/2008 | Education
A research paper isn't something you can write overnight, nor is it something that can even be left until the last minute.

Article Categories

Article Marketing

Article Notepad

Stop Duplicate Content

Term Papers

Need Help?

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.21, 16)

Creative Techniques and Learning Disabilities

Article Comments

Related Articles

Got a Question? Ask.

Latest Education Articles

More from Jane Saeman

Need Help?

Site Links

Webmasters

Business Info

Sign up for our email newsletter