This presentation was created by the McKay School of Education at Brigham Young University. ​


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General Resources
Teaching Without Words:  Special needs children require different educational approaches to help them discover their inner genius.  This short presentation by Matthew Peterson explains an alternative style for you to consider.

Click here for MIND Research Institute programs that teach math without words. ​
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Learning Technics:  a better approach to solve your learning problems.  Since 1988, Learning Technics has offered the most comprehensive program available to help both children and adults who struggle with learning.  Our programs can assist individuals who struggle with reading, math, spelling, memory, ADHD, ADD, and Dyslexia. We have successfully treated thousands of struggling students in seven states, in both public education and private sector. In 2006, the Learning Technics Company was invited to present its findings at an international conference on learning disabilities at Oxford University. We guarantee our patented Physio-Neuro training will help a struggling student markedly improve his/her ability to learn and to overcome the roadblocks to a brighter future.  Click here to learn more.
Fast ForWord:   Neuroscience research has shown that with the right input, the brain can change and reconfigure itself throughout life, proving that student potential is endless. Fast ForWord is an online reading intervention that uses the principles of neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain to rewire and improve – to treat the underlying cause of language and reading difficulties, once and for all.  The program is a little pricey but very effective for auditory processing and some central processing disorders.  Click here to learn more. 
Sample content from ILS:  Why Core Muscle Exercises Help Prevent Learning Challenges in the Classroom
Integrated Learning Strategies:  At Integrated Learning Strategies (ILS), we offer a holistic approach for each individual student that is customized to meet the educational and academic needs of your child. This approach may not always begin at the core problem (reading, writing, comprehension, study skills, math), but may require getting back to basics and building up to a successful academic level.  All students are evaluated on an individual basis to determine their level of brain development and what programs strengthen the foundation that allows the brain to function at higher levels. It is important for children to develop in a normal developmental sequence instead of skipping critical areas of development that force them to learn at higher academic levels the brain isn’t prepared to handle. Improved brain function equals improved intelligence, which equates to enhanced success and quality of life. All weak areas can be strengthened.  Click here to learn more.   
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Classroom Strategies                Making Science Labs Accessible to Students with Disabilities


Resources for Specific Challenges




Asperger Syndrome:  "Having a child with Asperger Syndrome in your class will have a different impact on your classroom environment than having a child with autism. But as is the case with all individuals on the autism spectrum, each individual with Asperger Syndrome is different and will present his or her own unique challenges.  "Children with Asperger Syndrome often display considerable academic strengths. Due to the effects of the disorder, however, these students often require different teaching strategies in order to discover and capitalize on those strengths. Within the school environment, students with Asperger Syndrome also face many obstacles to relationship building and interacting socially with their peers."    (OAR, Organization for Autism Research)Learn more about teaching strategies for Asperger Syndrome here:  http://www.researchautism.org/educators/aspergersteps/index.asp
Learn how to cope with Asperger Syndrome from the experts who live with Aspergers.  Great information can be found at:  http://www.aspergerexperts2.com/ae-welcome/

​Auditory Processing Disorder:  Children with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) may exhibit a variety of listening and related complaints. For example, they may have difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, following directions, and discriminating (or telling the difference between) similar-sounding speech sounds. Sometimes they may behave as if a hearing loss is present, often asking for repetition or clarification. In school, children with APD may have difficulty with spelling, reading, and understanding information presented verbally in the classroom. Often their performance in classes that don't rely heavily on listening is much better, and they typically are able to complete a task independently once they know what is expected of them. However, it is critical to understand that these same types of symptoms may be apparent in children who do not exhibit APD. Therefore, we should always keep in mind that not all language and learning problems are due to APD, and all cases of APD do not lead to language and learning problems. APD cannot be diagnosed from a symptoms checklist. No matter how many symptoms of APD a child may have, only careful and accurate diagnostics can determine the underlying cause.    
Learn more about APD here:   http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Understanding-Auditory-Processing-Disorders-in-Children/ 

Autism and Related Challenges:  This website has a goldmine of information for children not only with autism and related challenges but for all children needing social and personal management skills (and who doesn't need to fine-tune). This link will take you to activities by Joel Shaul, LCSW such as conversation skills, understanding appropriate formality in behavior, loudness, respecting others' interests, anxiety, empathy, etc. Geared for ASD folks, but effective for general use as well! http://autismteachingstrategies.com/free-social-skills-downloads-2/ 

Floortime and other strategies for teaching children with Autism:  https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/floortime    

More resources for autism:  
Dyslexia and related challenges:  "To someone who has not experienced Dyslexia, its effects may seem surprisingly far-reaching. Dyslexia hinders, to varying degrees, directional discrimination, or the ability to correctly identify physical orientation (left vs. right, up vs. down, etc.).  Learning, more often than not, hinges on our capacity to distinguish between specific symbols that may look very similar to one another. Its most popular manifestation is letter or word reversals when trying to read, but it can also manifest as having difficulty with sequences of instructions (the order will get mixed up in the dyslexic person’s mind)."Happily, we now know more than ever before about dyslexia, its symptoms, causes and its treatments. Science advances every day and with the increase of scientific data comes knowledge. At Learning Technics, it is our obsession to stay on top of the latest developments in brain research as related to learning disorders. We know that dyslexia and symptoms of dyslexia can be treated through physio-neurotherapy, which is a series of exercises that builds up the brain connections responsible for directional discrimination."
Learning Technics provides some free downloads as well as paid services on their website for dyslexia and other learning disabilities.  Learn more about Learning Technics, Inc. here:  http://www.learningtechnics.com/Dyslexia
The Barton Reading Spelling System:  The Barton Reading & Spelling System teaches people from all walks of life exactly how to tutor people with dyslexia.  Parents of dyslexic children can learn to become tutors, as can professionals like Reading and Resource Specialists, Speech-Language Therapists, Educational Therapists, and Private Tutors.
Misophonia:  Misophonia is an involuntary reaction to trigger sounds (lip smacking, typing, clock ticking, etc.).  It is actually an acquired reflex that is controlled by your brain stem (the Autonomic Nervous System). A misophonia trigger creates a strong emotional reaction (often anger or rage). The reflex reaction to the trigger sound actually strengthens the reflex. So instead of going away with time, it only gets worse. For many people misophonia only gets worse with time.  Misophonia may create some difficult barriers for educating children.  The good news is that treatments are being discovered.  Age does not limit treatment. Old or young, this new treatment can provide relief from the horrible symptoms of misophonia. For young children, the treatment is a game played with parents.  Learn more here:   http://www.misophonia.us/

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